Cardiff Reef is a long, shallow reef/point at the south end of Cardiff State Beach that turns both lefts and rights-often slow and playful but capable of powerful south-peaking walls at very low tide. Get the latest surfing conditions, forecast, and tide details for Cardiff Reef in California.
Live updates:
Lineup Insights
The Wave
Best shape comes from W-NW groundswells (longer period helps) with east or light offshore winds.
Works smallest-to-medium on low-mid tides and can fire up into punchier right peaks on scoured, very low tides.
Lineup Guide
Rock and flat-reef sections make low tides shallow and hazardous.
Crowds and parking pressure spike from the lot by the San Elijo outlet on weekends.
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