Is August a good time for surfing at Santa Monica?

August is outside the best season for surfing at Santa Monica; the best time is January–February, December. Waves 0.6 m, water 22°C (shorty), air 27°C.

Plan your trip to Santa MonicaEvery month at a glance, daily wind and waves from years of weather statistics, photos, videos and local tips.

Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026

In short

  • Waves: 0.6 m on average (daily maximum)
  • Water: 22°C, shorty
  • Air: 27°C by day, 19°C at night
  • Weather: sun (6+ hours) on about 31 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 1; a day can have both

Wave height: average daily maximum. Figures from 4 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).

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Other spots for surfing in August

Within 1,500 km, ranked by wave height and, a little, warm water.

Other surfing spots in the USA in August →Where to go surfing in August →

Questions

Is August a good time for surfing at Santa Monica?

August is outside the best season for surfing at Santa Monica; the best time is January–February, December. Waves 0.6 m, water 22°C (shorty), air 27°C.

How warm is the water at Santa Monica in August?

About 22°C: shorty.

How big are the waves at Santa Monica in August?

About 0.6 m on average (daily maximum).

What is the weather like at Santa Monica in August?

Around 27°C by day and 19°C at night; sun (6+ hours) on about 31 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 1; a day can have both.

Where else can I go surfing in August?

Within 1,500 km: Baja – Scorpion Bay (1.3 m waves), Todos Santos – Cerritos (1.5 m waves) & Trestles – San Clemente (1 m waves).

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