El Capitán State Beach, CA
Sunrise to Sunset
2057 miles
73
°F
6
5
mph
66
%Crowd Level Now
Walk to water
🚶
~1Beach Alerts
Dangerous Surf
Dangerous Surf: High waves present from 1 PM-7 PM — swimming not recommended
Wind Alert
Wind Alert: Gusty conditions from 4 PM-5 PM — secure umbrellas & shade (18mph)
About This Beach
El Capitan State Beach offers a blend of camping and beach experiences, situated near both highway and train tracks, impacting the quietude. The beach itself features a mix of sand and rocky areas, with tide pools at low tide. However, tar pollution from oil rigs is a recurring negative element in the visitor experience, impacting enjoyment.
*Click a parking icon on the map to draw the shortest path to the nearest entrance.
Plan Your Visit
Beach Overview
No overview data available.
Amenities
Parking Nearby
Food Nearby
Activities & Rentals
No activities or rentals available.
Beachgoers Reviews
4.4
Average Rating
There are no reviews yet.
250 + reviews
Weather Forecast
Updated: 10/2/2025, 1:00:00 PM
Hourly
| Time | Air Temp | UV | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | 73° | 6 | 5 mph | 0 |
| 14:00 | 74° | 6 | 6 mph | 0 |
| 15:00 | 73° | 5 | 12 mph | 0 |
| 16:00 | 73° | 4 | 18 mph | 0 |
| 17:00 | 74° | 3 | 17 mph | 0 |
| 18:00 | 75° | 1 | 13 mph | 0 |
| 19:00 | 73° | 0 | 13 mph | 0 |
Surf Conditions
Updated: Updated: 10/2/2025, 1:00:00 PM
Hourly Surf
| Time | Temp | Wave | Period | Swell | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | 68°F | 6.6 ft | 12s | ↖ NW | +0.3 ft |
| 14:00 | 68°F | 6.6 ft | 12s | ↖ NW | +0.6 ft |
| 15:00 | 68°F | 6.6 ft | 12s | ↖ NW | +1.1 ft |
| 16:00 | 68°F | 6.7 ft | 11s | ↖ NW | +1.8 ft |
| 17:00 | 68°F | 6.7 ft | 11s | ↖ NW | +2.3 ft |
| 18:00 | 68°F | 6.7 ft | 11s | ↖ NW | +2.6 ft |
| 19:00 | 68°F | 6.6 ft | 11s | ↖ NW | +2.4 ft |