Well, if you have been to the beach in the summer in SoCal, you definitely noticed that there is a chill in the water. In fact, millions of people come to Southern California to enjoy the warm sunny beaches, only to be surprised by the chilly water temps at the beach.
Are southern California beaches warm?
That’s where the bump on the coast creates a south-facing shore that’s ideal for soaking up the sun’s heat. Beaches exposed to the south become California’s warmest of all in both summer and winter. These are where you’re most likely to have a warm beach vacation on the Pacific Ocean.
Are California beaches cold in the summer?
Water along the southern coast reaches around 68 degrees F (20 degrees Celsius) during summer, while off northern beaches the ocean temperature hovers at just 52 degrees F (11 °C). Actual ocean temperatures do of course vary from year to year depending upon the weather and the flow of ocean currents.
Why is SoCal beaches so cold?
The water along the coast of California is cold for a couple of reasons. First, the California Current brings cold water from Alaska southward along the coast. And second, cold water from the deep ocean comes up to the surface through a process called upwelling.
Are beaches in California cold?
You’ll notice from the data below that the warmest temperatures average out to around 72 degrees in the southernmost beach regions (San Diego), during the month of August. While we’ve seen temps get a little warmer in recent years (up to 75 degrees), winter time does average in the low 60’s and 50’s.
Why is San Diego beach so cold?
It’s a pretty simple idea. Wind and currents pull the warmer water at the top (warmed by the famous San Diego sunshine of course) away from the beach and that water is replaced by colder water from the bottom of the ocean floor.
Which beach in California has the warmest water?
- 9 Warmest Beaches In California. #1. Long Beach. #2. Newport Beach. #3. Avila Beach. #4. Laguna Beach. #5. Mission Beach. #6. West Beach. #7. Dana Point. #8. Oceanside. #9. La Jolla.
- Reference:
Is 70 degrees cold in California?
Weather & Seasons
Much of California has a Mediterranean-like climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. On the coast, the average daily high temperature hovers around 70°F and up, but can occasionally spike to 80°F or more on hottest summer days; freezing temperatures are rare, even in winter.
Are the beaches in Los Angeles cold?
SoCal ocean water temps peak in the upper 60s and low 70s in August and September. The rest of the year water temps are in the upper 50s and low 60s. Brrrr! Ocean temps are as much as ten degrees cooler compared to locations on the East Coast at the same latitude in summer!
How cold is the ocean in San Diego?
The ocean off San Diego reaches its warmest point of the year in August when the temperature averages 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). The coolest month is February, when the sea temperature is normally at 57 °F (14 ° C).
Is it warm enough to swim in Los Angeles?
Re: Water warm enough to swim? Even at its warmest, in the summer months, the water around LA only gets to about 68 degrees or so, its never very hot.
Is the water too cold in San Diego?
The Pacific Ocean is known as cold, but in summer the water temperature off of San Diego is in the high 60s. Certain protected bodies of water, like La Jolla Cove, can be even warmer, with temperatures of 70 or more.
How cold does Southern California water get?
Southern California Coast
Winter brings the coolest sea water of the year to southern California, with the ocean temperature from Los Angeles southwards generally hovering around 57 to 59 degrees F.
Is Laguna Beach water cold?
Laguna Beach water temperatures peak in the range 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F) on around the 6th of September and are at their lowest on about the 5th of February, in the range 13 to 16°C (55 to 61°F).
Why is the Pacific Ocean so cold?
It is produced by equatorial trade winds that blow from east to west, piling up warm surface water in the west Pacific, and also pushing surface water away from the equator itself. This makes way for colder waters to well up from the depths, creating the cold tongue.
Are the beaches in San Diego warm?
San Diego enjoys relatively mild winters and balmy summers. The late summer and early fall months from August, September and October are invariably the best, while the late winter and spring (February to April) are the least predictable.
Why are California waters cold?
The winds drive surface water to the right of the wind flow, that is offshore, which draws water up from below to replace it. The upwelling further cools the already cool California Current. This is the mechanism that produces California’s characteristic coastal fog and cool ocean waters.
Does Southern California get cold?
As with most of the United States, temperatures in Southern California cool down when the fall and winter weather patterns settle in, but not by much. Overnight low temperatures along the coast can drop below 50° F (10° C) while high temperatures can reach above 65° F (18° C), depending on conditions.
Are California beaches swimmable?
Can I Swim at My Coastal Beach? The vast majority of the time, California’s waters are open and available for recreation uses visitors enjoy. Unfortunately, there are times when it is not advisable to go in the waters due to bacterial contamination.
What is the prettiest beach in California?
Best California Beaches
- Laguna Beach.
- La Jolla.
- Malibu.
- Pfeiffer Beach.
- Half Moon Bay.
- Hermosa Beach.
- Pismo Beach.
- Monterey.
Is it warm enough to swim in Santa Barbara?
Is it warm enough to swim in Santa Barbara? Average water temperature in Santa Barbara in June is 61.5°F and therefore is not suitable for comfortable swimming. The warmest sea in Santa Barbara in June is 67.1°F, and the coldest is 54.3°F.