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.
Why is the water so cold in Southern California?
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.
How cold is the water at 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).
Average Ocean Water Temperatures at San Diego.
| Period | °F | °C |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Average | 62 | 17 |
Is it too cold to swim in San Diego?
The weather in San Diego is mild and the water in California is typically cold, but swimming is completely possible. The month of March is calmer compared to April’s weather when the winds are at their highest. So, head out in the morning and swim during the warmest part of the day if you want to avoid being too cold.
Why is the Pacific Coast water 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.
Why are California beaches colder than Atlantic beaches?
There are two general reasons as to why the water temps are much colder on the West Coast compared to the East Coast. The first reason is because of the California cold current that runs along the coast from Canada to Central America. The second reason is upwelling.
Which beach in San Diego has the warmest water?
Soak Up the Sun at the Hottest San Diego Beaches
- Mission Beach. The two-mile stretch of beach between Belmont Park and Pacific Beach is a thriving boardwalk with many, many attractions for travelers.
- La Jolla.
- Pac Beach.
- Ocean Beach.
Are there sharks in San Diego?
The most common Pelagic Shark encounters in San Diego are with Blue Sharks, Mako Sharks, and Thresher Sharks. Other species, such as Hammerhead Sharks, are harder to find. The best way to get in the water with these elusive species is to join a guided offshore expedition.
Where is the warmest ocean water?
Indian Ocean
This ocean is bordered by Asia, Africa, and Australia and is the warmest in the world. Water temperatures of the Indian Ocean range between 66 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (19 to 30 Celsius) on the ocean’s upper layer.
Where is the warmest ocean water in California?
The warmest ocean water of the year in California lies off Newport Beach and Santa Catalina Island in August when temperatures average 70 degrees F (21 °C).
Is 65 degrees too cold for beach?
Close-in ocean temp is currently low 60’s. If you happen to have a Southerly or westerly breeze, 65 can be very pleasant on the beach. If it’s a northerly wind or one coming off the water, the actual temp on the beach will be much closer to the water temp, regardless of the reported air temperature.
Is it safe to swim in San Diego beaches?
Thanks to San Diego’s west-by-southwest coastline orientation, the continental shelf protecting us from the brunt of localized north pacific storm surges, distant southern ocean swells and a temperate climate, San Diego’s beaches are safe and pleasant virtually year-round.
What is the warmest ocean on Earth?
The waters of the Pacific Ocean comprise the world’s largest heat reservoir, by far, and it is the warmest ocean, overall, of the world’s five oceans. (The other oceans are the Arctic, Antarctic and Indian Oceans.)
What is the coldest ocean in the world?
The Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean | National Geographic Society.
Which ocean water is the coldest?
A “supercoolometer”, a device that sounds like it should be used to measure hipsters, has found the coldest seawater on Earth, under Antarctic sea ice.
Why is the water warmer in Hawaii than California?
What makes Hawaii different is two things: First, where most islands are buffeted by winds that shift this way and that, depending on the season, the Hawaiian Islands sit in the midst of the Trade Winds, which blow steadily west all year round. Second, the water beneath those winds grows warmer the farther west you go.
Which ocean is prettier Atlantic or Pacific?
Looking at the entire oceans, however, the Pacific Ocean is by far the warmest overall ocean because it has about four times the intense sun-heated surface area in the tropics compared with the Atlantic Ocean.
Why is California ocean water not clear?
The other cause for turbidity is living organic material in the water; it is also an important reason that California water is less clear than Hawaiian or Bahamian waters. The waters off California typically have much more phytoplankton and chlorophyll, and therefore are more turbid, than in Hawaii or the Bahamas.
What is the prettiest beach in San Diego?
10 Gorgeous Beaches In San Diego You Must See
- La Jolla Cove Beach.
- Coronado Beach.
- Pacific Beach.
- Flat Rock Beach.
- Ocean Beach City Beach.
- La Jolla Shores Beach.
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.
- South Mission Beach.
What is the most beautiful beach in San Diego?
La Jolla Shores
A few minutes from Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores is one of the most picturesque beaches in all of San Diego.
Is San Diego safe?
Crime in San Diego
Statistics indicate that San Diego’s crime rate is lower than the national average and is one of the safest large cities in the country. The most recent report from SANDAG describes San Diego as an overall low-risk city in terms of crime.