California King Tides, 2026–27
King tides are the highest predicted tides of the year. For the 2026–27 season the California King Tides Project dates, published by the California Coastal Commission, are November 24–26, 2026, December 23–25, 2026 and January 21–22, 2027 statewide; northern California locations may also include December 22, January 20 and/or January 23. The same windows bring the season's lowest low tides. Below are the extremes for each Great Tides place, computed from the same NOAA predictions as the place pages.
The Commission selects these dates from the highest predicted astronomical tides for the state; the predictions rest on the relative positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun and do not include storm surge or El Niño effects. The Commission notes that this season a strong El Niño and Kelvin waves may push actual water levels above the predictions, so check local conditions and safety guidance before going. The California King Tides Project invites the public to photograph the shoreline during these tides: see coastal.ca.gov/kingtides.
The extreme lows in these windows are also the best tidepooling opportunities of the season: they expose the lowest part of the intertidal zone, in daylight, at every place below. If you are going for the pools, read what tidepooling is and how to do it well before you go.
November 24–26, 2026
| Place | Highest high tide | Lowest low tide | Best daylight low tide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent City | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 10:57 AM · 8.56 ft (2.61 m) | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 6:13 PM · -1.92 ft (-0.59 m) | — |
| Half Moon Bay | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 9:50 AM · 6.96 ft (2.12 m) | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 5:20 PM · -1.77 ft (-0.54 m) | Tuesday, November 24, 2026 · 4:31 PM · -1.64 ft (-0.50 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| Santa Cruz | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 9:33 AM · 6.66 ft (2.03 m) | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 5:07 PM · -1.52 ft (-0.46 m) | Tuesday, November 24, 2026 · 4:17 PM · -1.33 ft (-0.40 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| Port San Luis & Avila Beach | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 9:14 AM · 6.93 ft (2.11 m) | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 4:52 PM · -1.46 ft (-0.45 m) | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 4:52 PM · -1.46 ft (-0.45 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| La Jolla | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 8:29 AM · 6.96 ft (2.12 m) | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 3:55 PM · -1.51 ft (-0.46 m) | Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 3:55 PM · -1.51 ft (-0.46 m) Excellent tidepooling |
Heights are relative to each station's MLLW datum and are not directly interchangeable between places; times are local station time. A dash means no low tide in that window falls between sunrise and sunset at that place. Full rankings for each place are on its place page.
December 23–25, 2026
| Place | Highest high tide | Lowest low tide | Best daylight low tide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent City | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 10:45 AM · 8.82 ft (2.69 m) | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 6:02 PM · -2.01 ft (-0.61 m) | — |
| Half Moon Bay | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 9:39 AM · 7.22 ft (2.20 m) | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 5:10 PM · -1.90 ft (-0.58 m) | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 · 4:22 PM · -1.85 ft (-0.57 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| Santa Cruz | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 9:21 AM · 6.82 ft (2.08 m) | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 4:55 PM · -1.81 ft (-0.55 m) | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 4:55 PM · -1.81 ft (-0.55 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| Port San Luis & Avila Beach | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 9:04 AM · 7.02 ft (2.14 m) | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 4:41 PM · -1.85 ft (-0.56 m) | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 4:41 PM · -1.85 ft (-0.56 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| La Jolla | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 8:23 AM · 7.10 ft (2.16 m) | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 3:47 PM · -1.88 ft (-0.57 m) | Thursday, December 24, 2026 · 3:47 PM · -1.88 ft (-0.57 m) Excellent tidepooling |
Heights are relative to each station's MLLW datum and are not directly interchangeable between places; times are local station time. A dash means no low tide in that window falls between sunrise and sunset at that place. Full rankings for each place are on its place page.
January 21–22, 2027
| Place | Highest high tide | Lowest low tide | Best daylight low tide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent City | Friday, January 22, 2027 · 10:40 AM · 8.65 ft (2.64 m) | Friday, January 22, 2027 · 5:44 PM · -1.74 ft (-0.53 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 5:00 PM · -1.68 ft (-0.51 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| Half Moon Bay | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 8:43 AM · 7.11 ft (2.17 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 4:07 PM · -1.63 ft (-0.50 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 4:07 PM · -1.63 ft (-0.50 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| Santa Cruz | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 8:24 AM · 6.61 ft (2.02 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 3:51 PM · -1.70 ft (-0.52 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 3:51 PM · -1.70 ft (-0.52 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| Port San Luis & Avila Beach | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 8:10 AM · 6.78 ft (2.07 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 3:37 PM · -1.84 ft (-0.56 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 3:37 PM · -1.84 ft (-0.56 m) Excellent tidepooling |
| La Jolla | Friday, January 22, 2027 · 8:19 AM · 6.95 ft (2.12 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 2:48 PM · -1.89 ft (-0.58 m) | Thursday, January 21, 2027 · 2:48 PM · -1.89 ft (-0.58 m) Excellent tidepooling |
Heights are relative to each station's MLLW datum and are not directly interchangeable between places; times are local station time. A dash means no low tide in that window falls between sunrise and sunset at that place. Full rankings for each place are on its place page.
Questions
What is a king tide?
The California Coastal Commission's term for the highest predicted tides of the year. They happen when the Earth, Moon and Sun are in the alignment that produces the largest tidal ranges, and the Commission uses them as a preview of how sea-level rise will change the shoreline: today's king tides show water reaching places it is expected to reach regularly in future.
Why are the low tides extreme on the same days?
A bigger tidal swing cuts both ways. The tables above are computed directly from the NOAA predictions, and in each window the lowest low tides of the season fall on or near the king tide days — which is why the Commission also points to king tide days as a good time to explore tide pools, with care.
Are these the actual water levels I will see?
No. These are astronomical predictions. Wind, storms, air pressure and this season's El Niño conditions can push real water levels a foot or more above or below the prediction. Treat the prediction as the starting point, check the local forecast and conditions before you go, and do not use these predictions for navigation.