I'm planning a trip to the San Diego area, either this July or August. I've never been there so I'm wondering what are the chances of getting waves in July and August? It seems like the season picks up in August, but July might be OK as well.

 

Any advice on this would be much appreciated.

Can't speak to July/August, but I just spent a month there and the thing that blew me away was that not one single day of that entire month dropped below chest high. Couldn't believe the consistency.

You will definetley score some waves. I go to southern california every year without checking the swell and there is always something to ride. 

RIDE ONWARD!

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the ocean is my medication

Yep, there should be waves all over and if it stays good, the locals get picky and you can score some really fun sessions without a zillion people.

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I was right.

season ?

I've been to SD twice both in July and caught waves everyday. Southern Hemi swell. Usually long period so you have to wait 20 minutes for the sets but lots of options.

Numerous trips out there that time of year and never been skunked.  I was just in La Jolla few weeks back El Pescador grinds were on point and Windansea was going off per usual.  Enjoy!

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"Don't count the days, make the days count." -Ali
#rydyrstrong

I think I recall that one of Central Floridave's SD visits happened to coincide with a spectacular (by California standards) summer swell.  He was all casual about it, thought the surf was nice.  

Summer time with a nice south swell IB and Coronado will be good the Sunset cliffs could bea miss, Mission Beach Pacific Beach and La Jolla can be good. Blacks early am tends to blow out, Further north can be a hit or miss, Carlsbad Oceanside on a south can be very good.  Best bet is to head south cross into Mexico head down the Baja where to go and how far south is up to you.  Bring a wetsuit surfers from Florida freeze in those cool Pacific waters. 

Coronado?!

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ola ~

be aware that traffic in Coronado in the summer can be a nightmare.

I'd stay in the LaJolla area. Windansea up to Scripps pier, then you have Blacks and about 50 other spots in-between.

FYI, There are many RT flights from MIA - SAN for $242 in August on AA

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Ask me how to take almost free surf trips anywhere.

You will most certainly have fun! There's always something to surf, somewhere

yeah, there isn't any traffic in La Jolla.   Yes Coronado. I lived in  San Diego for more then 25 years.  Coronado, on a big south can have some epic A frame waves.  Coronado locals might still be talking about the day Gerry Lopez was surfing some of those A frams around 1973 or 74. The best place to check is by walking up the beach by the Navy golf course.  Further up by the North Island runways can also get good but you might risk getting arrested.  Now if is s really big south I'm headed to Mexico.  No Matter where you go you can find something to surf around San Diego. If you have friends to stay with that makes it all the better.  I think the La Jolla Locals may not be as bad as they were. There was a time that you might get your tires punctured or worse parking near WindandSea. Parking on the bluff at the trail head to get down to Blacks was also risky. Lots of cars were broken into there. 

Just got back from San Diego trip, surfed mostly Windansea and Blacks, as it was close to the hotel. Windansea was my favorite spot. I surfed from Imperial to Trestles, and everywhere I surfed was so fun, and locals where not dicks. I will say it trips you out how easy the paddle out is, and catching the waves, totally different than here in Florida. You will have a blast.

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Ride the mountain.