Is Tunitas Beach good for swimming today?
Tunitas Beach has BeachFinder Score: 65/100. Use this as a planning signal only, then check local flags, lifeguards, closures and current beach conditions.
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US-W - US
Tunitas Beach
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Quick answer
Quick answer: Tunitas Beach today
Tunitas Beach is a BeachFinder spot in US-W, US. Today, compare water temperature 16°C, wind 8 km/h · N, uv 7.5, waves 1.6 m, water quality Check official advisories before leaving. BeachFinder Score: 65/100. Always check official flags, closures and lifeguard advice before swimming.
Water temperature
16°C
Wind
8 km/h · N
UV
7.5
Waves
1.6 m
Water quality
Check official advisories
Last updated: Aug 26, 10:00 PM local forecast timeBeachFinder Score: 65/100
Sources: Open-Meteo weather and marine forecasts, OpenStreetMap place context and BeachFinder spot data.
This is planning information, not a safety clearance. Conditions can change quickly.
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Live conditions on the site
Surfers can check wind, wave height, currents and surf cues here before opening the full BeachFinder app.
Updated: Aug 26, 10:00 PM
Water temp
16°C
Air temp
16°C
Feels like
17°C
UV index
7.5
Wind
8 km/h · N
Gust 23 km/h
Waves
1.6 m
Current
0 km/h · SW
Parking
...
Shower
...
Accessible access
...
Toilets
...
Restaurants
...
Weather and marine data: Open-Meteo
Tunitas Beach
Tunitas Beach extends along the Pacific coast of Northern California, about 50 kilometers south of San Francisco and in the immediate vicinity of San Mateo. This stretch of the San Francisco Peninsula coastline is characterized by steep coastal cliffs that plunge towards the ocean, typical of this region where the Sierra Nevada meets the Pacific. The shore, exposed to oceanic swells without major natural protection, is part of a chain of relatively uncrowded beaches stretching between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. The beach itself remains wild and undeveloped, offering a stark contrast to its immediate neighbors. 3.6 kilometers to the south, San Gregorio Beach attracts more visitors due to its more direct road access and basic amenities. Pomponio Beach, 7 kilometers away, shares the same coastal austerity. Upon arrival, visitors are struck by the absence of commercial development: no boardwalk, no kiosks, only the constant surf and the wooded cliffs dominating the horizon. Swimming conditions remain demanding, with powerful undertows and cold water characteristic of the Californian Pacific. Access to Tunitas Beach remains restricted and poorly marked. No services are present on site: no toilets, organized parking, or lifeguard supervision. The absence of Blue Flag status reflects the raw state of this coastline. Visitors must use unofficial paths from the coastal road (California State Route 1), which naturally limits attendance. This configuration makes it a refuge for coastal hikers and experienced surfers seeking isolation.
About this spot
Tunitas, a diminutive of the Spanish name "Tunita" (small tuna, the fish), perpetuates the maritime nomenclature inherited from the Hispanic colonization of California. The region, geologically marked by the San Andreas Fault running parallel to the coast, produces these unstable cliffs and small, inaccessible coves. In the 19th century, the area served as a refuge for whalers and smugglers operating from Half Moon Bay. Today, Tunitas remains one of the few beaches in the San Francisco Bay Area coastline to have escaped coastal urbanization, preserved by its difficult access and its remoteness from population centers.
Updated 5/9/2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature at Tunitas Beach today?
16°C. Marine temperature is shown when forecast coverage is available for this location.
How windy is Tunitas Beach today?
8 km/h · N. Wind can change comfort and surface conditions, especially on exposed beaches.
What should I check before swimming at Tunitas Beach?
Check official safety flags, lifeguard advice, closures, water-quality advisories, UV, wind, waves and currents before entering the water.
Before you go
Conditions
Compare water temperature, air temperature, feels-like temperature, UV index, wind, waves and currents. Surf-focused data appears when a marine model covers the spot.
Amenities
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Tunitas Beach
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