is it true that the water in southern california (the pacific ocean) is always cold?

Question

I've heard that the ocean water in southern california is always cold. Is this true?

Answer 1

I live in San Diego and the water temp is in the 70s now. It'll get colder with seasons of coarse.

This link has water temperatures along the coast line. Listed by month.

Answer 2

Depends what you mean by 'cold'. Most of the California coast the water is really too cold to swim in. But I keep hearing about a small part of the coast between Los Angeles and San Diego where they get a warm current that supposedly makes the water much warmer. It's near San Clemente.

Answer 3

It's not cold during summer from about mid-June to mid-Septemeber. Usually during that time it ranges from the upper 60's (67-69) to the mid 70's (73-75) with July and August having the warmest temperatures. It all depends on the currents though, some years it's up to 70 by Memorial Day but some years, like this year, it wasn't that warm till late June. And it usually stays warm enough to swim in until sometime in Septemember, although last year it was kind of cool by Labor Day. It's definately cooler than Florida, the Gulf Coast, or other parts of the Southeastern US but I don't really think it's "cold" during the summer months. That first few seconds you get in you'll probably feel a slight chill but get used to the water very quick; ocean temps in the 70's feel very nice and refreshing when you're laying on the beach in the sun compared to 88 degree water in hot 88% humidity weather like FL. During the rest of the year from Oct to May the water is usually 65 and below and too cold to swim in w/o a wetsuit. So it really depends on your tolerance but most people in SD going swimming in the summer months so it's not bad at and pretty comfortable overall in my opinion.

These are some websites I use to check the water temps:
http://ocean.peterbrueggeman.com/
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/spac.html

Answer 4

The water is obviously not to extremely cold because you always see people surfing and swimming, but compared to other places with the same climate it does tend to be colder. Its because of the currents of cold water coming down from the Arctic from the Alaska region, because geographically Alaska and California are not that far from one another compared to currents that reach other places. For instance, during the summer months in say, Myrtle Beach, SC the water is pretty warm compared to in California because not only is the warmer weather a small factor, but cold currents of water have to travel further from the north to reach this area, plus currents from warmer more tropical regions go through here. So yes, the water in the Pacific Coast of the US tends to be cooler.

Answer 5

Ya, it is alway cold, but southern California has some of the best beaches because they have big waves. If you want to go to a beach with warm water, but you don't care about the waves then you should go to Florida. I live in San Diego. By the way...there are no sharks off the coast of southern California, at least you won't get attacked by one. In fact southern California has like no shark attacks. But were known for our big waves. The answer to your question is that the water is cold. But not freezing cold.

Answer 6

Not always. I am 45, have lived here most of my life, and I have experienced the water being mildly warm a few times, but mostly, it has been cool to cold. You do get used to it though, once you are in it. Just go for it. You'll have a good time.

Answer 7

It's the ocean, if you need warm water, how about a heated pool. It is chilly at first but doesn't take long to adjust. It's about 60 degrees to 70 I guess.

Answer 8

I live in San Diego and the warmest it gets here is maybe 71 degrees that will last for a few weeks in Aug, possibly Sept.

Most of the year it's in the 60s.

Answer 9

Its never bathtub warm like the carribean or hawaii. That's why great white sharks have the biggest population off the shores of California, because it is colder.

Answer 10

The warmest currents are yellow currents. Just be sure to bathe after swimming in them.