Imperial Beach

This is a large wave location, with powerful, dumping surf. Usually larger here than anywhere else on the Southern California coast in winter due to more open exposure. Typically, it's chest to head high on any given day. Summer is usually chest high or smaller. Winter can have double overhead waves, and larger. The world famous big wave break, Cortes Bank, is just 90 miles off the coast. The water outside the surf zone is usually choppy. The water inside near the beach is usually flat and smooth due to whitewater washing over and smoothing the chop, so it makes for great butter riding with fun ramps. The tide swing is about 7 feet, so the beach can be over 100 yards wide during low tide, to non-existent with water washing up to the rocks during high tide and high surf. Private condos bordered with large granite rocks line the entire beach. The beach itself is generally soft dry sand mixed with cobblestones and dried kelp. It's a safe and easy area to self-launch, provided there is enough beach, otherwise you risk crashing your kite into the rocks or condos. It can get very crowded in the summer with tourists, swimmers, and surfers. This is a light to medium wind location, with usual riding winds of 12-14 knots. It's generally a bit stronger than most other spots in San Diego, depending upon conditions. Typical riding wind is from the NW or SW at 12-15 knots, depending upon conditions. Winter: the strongest winds hit from November through April, though very infrequent, and hard to forecast. These are generally from passing pressure systems and typically blow 14-24 knots, usually starting from the SW on the day before the storm, and then NW on the day after. The famous Santa Ana ENE winds rarely ever make it to the beach here. However, they can cause inland heating, resulting in a rideable NW wind day (while only 1 mile inland, the wind is blowing the exact OPPOSITE direction!). Summer: the rest of the year usually brings a light W or WSW wind, from 5-11 knots, with occasional stronger days. The wind usually kicks in early, around 10am and dies around 1pm due to the heat. Catalina Eddy effect SW winds can sometimes reach 'ridable' strength, but the wind can be gusty with lots of holes. These winds are usually best from 8am through 1pm before backing down for the day. Summertime is the best time to leave San Diego, and head to Long Beach (2 hours north), Baja Mexico, or Central or Northern CA. As for forecasting the wind here, its a crap-shoot. The local forecasters don't have a clue. The wind just happens or doesn't, even if weather conditions stay the same. Ask a local for a better opinion. The condos can also create a `wind-cushion` if the water is too close, making it hard to get out past the surf, even in stronger winds. Air temperature is normally 60-75°F year round. November through April can bring rain, wind, big surf, and crystal clear weather between storms. April through July can bring thick fog with light winds to the beach all day long, while only just 1 mile inland, it's very sunny with a bit more wind. Water temp: summer: 63-71°F (3/2 full or shorty wetsuit). Winter: 52-64°F (3/2 full to 4/3 full wetsuit required). Water: Chop, Smallwave, Mediumwave, Bigwave. Features: Shop, Rescue, Food, Parking. Rider ability: Intermediate, Expert.

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