Simple Tides / Guides / California Tide Charts
California Tide Charts
Looking for a simple California tide chart? Find today’s high and low tide times for 13 California coastal cities — from San Diego to San Francisco to Crescent City — all from live NOAA predictions, no app or signup.
California runs a mixed semidiurnal tide pattern: two high tides and two low tides each day, but the two highs are rarely equal — one is typically much higher, and one low is much lower. That lopsided daily curve is the defining feature of a California tide chart, and it’s what sets up the state’s famous minus tides: the year’s lowest low tides, when tide pools open up along the coast. Our Southern California guide covers the regional details.
Every California tide chart on this page pulls straight from NOAA’s official predictions. Pick your city below for today’s exact high and low tide times plus the 7-day curve — whether you’re surfing in Santa Cruz, fishing San Diego Bay, or tide-pooling near Monterey. New to reading them? Our guide to reading tide charts walks through it in minutes.
Don’t assume the tide schedule is the same statewide. High tide in San Diego and high tide in San Francisco can be hours apart, and the range grows as you head north — Northern California sees some of the biggest swings on the West Coast. Always check the chart for your exact spot.
Find tide times by California city
Southern California
San Diego tide chart · Long Beach tide chart · Los Angeles tide chart · Newport Beach tide chart · Santa Monica tide chart · Santa Barbara tide chart
Central Coast
Port San Luis tide chart · Monterey tide chart · Santa Cruz tide chart · Half Moon Bay tide chart
Northern California
San Francisco tide chart · Eureka tide chart · Crescent City tide chart · Point Reyes tide chart
California Tide Charts FAQs
What time is high tide in California today?
It depends on your city — high tide times differ along the California coast and shift about 50 minutes later each day. Pick your city from the list above for today’s exact high tide time from live NOAA predictions, or open the tide map to find your nearest station.
Where can I find a simple California tide chart?
Right here: every city link above opens a simple California tide chart with today’s highs and lows plus the 7-day curve, free with no account. Our tide chart guide explains how to read one if you’re new to it.
What is a mixed semidiurnal tide?
It’s California’s signature tide pattern: two high tides and two low tides per day, but with unequal heights — one high is much higher and one low much lower. That lopsided cycle is what creates the state’s dramatic minus tides, when the lowest low of the day exposes tide pools and clam beds.
Are California tides the same every day?
Nearly, but each day’s tides run about 50 minutes later than the day before, and the heights grow and shrink with the moon phase (see spring vs neap tides). The mixed semidiurnal pattern itself is constant statewide.
Is the tide chart the same for San Diego and San Francisco?
No — tide timing and range differ by location, and the range generally grows as you head north along the California coast. Always use the chart for your specific spot rather than assuming one city’s times work for another.
When are king tides in California?
The first king-tide window of the season runs October 25–30, 2026, bringing the year’s highest high tides and coastal flooding to low-lying spots. See our king tides guide for the full 2026–2027 schedule and safety tips.