Is swimming in South-California acceptable in January?

Question

I will go for 1 month in that region in this next January.

1. Is it acceptable to swim in the ocean (I am courageous)?

2. Is the temperature of the water stable for one day to another?

Answer 1

I would think that it would be fine. Why not. If the water is warm enough, it sounds good to me. I would do it! The water probably wont be stable but if its about 60 out side the water will be kinda on the cold side but you said it you are courageous, GO FOR IT!!

Answer 2

When you say "swim", I assume you mean the ocean. The temperature of the water is very constant, around 60 degrees F. The ocean current here in SoCal comes south from Alaska, so it is not very warm. Florida, by comparison, has currents that flow from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and south Atlantic.

If you are "courageous", then have fun and swim! Just about anything is acceptable in SoCal. The philosophy is basically, "If it feels good, do it." As for me, the water is too uncomfortable. I like it much better in July & August, when the water temperature gets around 70F and the air temperature is in the 80's and 90's. In January, the air tempurature will most likely be in the 50's and 60's, with water temps around 60F.

Answer 3

I grew up in San Diego and you can swim in the ocean any time of the year you want. You won't have a lot of company in the water as it will in the 50's but there usually always people on the beach...not like in summer and many people build fires in the evening.

And yes the water temperature is pretty constant day to day...but still cold to San Digeans.. Remember the average year round air temperature is 72F.

Have a good time and really in San Diego no one is going to give you any grief about swimming. Heck my friends and I would SCUBA dive in January and if the conditions are right the surfers come out.

Answer 4

The water in so Cal is always a little cold (it IS the Pacific Ocean, after all), but if it's a warm day, you'll probably be ok. If you're in an area with sufers (anywhere from Santa Cruz south to San Diego) you won't be alone in the water any time of the year. Water temp stays pretty consistent since it's such a large body of water.

Not sure what you mean by "acceptable". Unless the beach has been closed because of pollution (happens in Newport and Huntington Beaches a lot), you can go in the water anytime you like and no one will say anything.

Enjoy yourself!

Answer 5

To us Southern Californians, January is too cold for swimming. However, I have had friends from the East coast visiting and thought it is perfect weather for swimming, either pool or ocean. Temperature of ocean water is fairly stable unless there is some major weather condition.

Answer 6

Mate, compared to Alberta it'll be like taking a bath! I'm from England, now based in San Diego, and although the water here isn't exactly warm, it's definitely ok for swimming, if you're used to cold water. The nice thing is when you get out of the water it's still 70 degrees, even in winter. Lovely.

Answer 7

1. It's acceptable by law, but you will experience the first stages of hypothermia. Your skin will get numb from the cold, and because of that, the cold will be more acceptable to you from a comfort point of view. So be careful; I wouldn't stay in very long.
2. The above goes for both summer and winter, as the Pacific Ocean's temperature only varies by a couple of degrees year-round.

Answer 8

You will need a wetsuit and booties to swim in the ocean in January, but the surfers are out there. Why not?

Answer 9

The water is always cold in the Pacific,acceptable? If you want to swim,then swim!!

Answer 10

Depending on where you are, it looks like temperatures range from 56-58 in January. No one else will care whether you swim or not, so it is up to you.

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/spac.html