Is January a good time for surfing at Santa Monica?
January is one of the best months for surfing at Santa Monica. Waves 1.6 m, water 15°C (5/4 wetsuit and boots), air 18°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: 1.6 m on average (daily maximum)
- Water: 15°C, 5/4 wetsuit and boots
- Air: 18°C by day, 8°C at night
- Weather: sun (6+ hours) on about 26 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 6; a day can have both
Wave height: average daily maximum. Figures from 4 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Best time to go →Other spots for surfing in January
1
JanGOOD
Cerritos
Todos Santos · Mexico
1.5 m waves23° water25° air
1435 km away · Beginner-friendly · shorty · ✈ CSW 50 km
2
JanPEAK SEASON
Morro Bay
United States
2 m waves14° water17° air
265 km away · Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ SBP 25 km
3
JanPEAK SEASON
Cowell's
Santa Cruz · United States
2.4 m waves13° water16° air
459 km away · Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ MRY 45 km
4
JanGOOD
Mavericks
Half Moon Bay · United States
2 m waves13° water15° air
530 km away · Advanced only · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ SFO 18 km
5
JanGOOD
Short Sands
Oregon · United States
2.5 m waves10° water11° air
1387 km away · Beginner-friendly · 5/4 wetsuit, hood, boots and gloves · ✈ PDX 108 km
6
JanPEAK SEASON
Doran Beach
Bodega Bay · United States
1.7 m waves13° water14° air
629 km away · Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ STS 29 km
Within 1,500 km, ranked by wave height and, a little, warm water.
Other surfing spots in the USA in January →Where to go surfing in January →Questions
Is January a good time for surfing at Santa Monica?
January is one of the best months for surfing at Santa Monica. Waves 1.6 m, water 15°C (5/4 wetsuit and boots), air 18°C.
How warm is the water at Santa Monica in January?
About 15°C: 5/4 wetsuit and boots.
How big are the waves at Santa Monica in January?
About 1.6 m on average (daily maximum).
What is the weather like at Santa Monica in January?
Around 18°C by day and 8°C at night; sun (6+ hours) on about 26 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 6; a day can have both.
Where else can I go surfing in January?
Within 1,500 km: Todos Santos – Cerritos (1.5 m waves), Morro Bay (2 m waves) & Santa Cruz – Cowell's (2.4 m waves).
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