California and Oregon Coasts Get Pounded by Monster Waves Up to 50 Feet This Weekend, With a Second Round of Big Surf Arriving Sunday Night Into Monday
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — Dangerous, towering waves are slamming the West Coast this weekend, with breaking waves of 30 to 40 feet along the Oregon and Northern California coast through Saturday, November 14, 2026.
At the biggest surf breaks around the San Francisco Bay Area, sets could reach up to 50 feet. A second round of large surf is set to arrive Sunday night into Monday.
Surf Forecast Along the West Coast
| Location | Expected Surf | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Newport, Oregon | 30 to 35 feet | Through Saturday |
| Crescent City, California | 30 to 40 feet | Second round on Monday |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Sets up to 50 feet | Biggest breaks |
| Morro Bay, California | 18 to 25 feet | Coastal flooding on Saturday |
Offshore Buoy Measures 38-Foot Waves
A buoy far off the Oregon coast measured 38-foot waves on Saturday morning, showing just how powerful this swell is. Open-ocean wave heights offshore were forecast to peak in the 40s at times between Friday and Monday.
Monster Surf From Oregon to Santa Barbara
The large swell stretches along a huge section of the Pacific Coast, from Oregon south to the Santa Barbara area. The largest waves are focused off Oregon and Northern California, with somewhat smaller but still dangerous surf farther south along the Central Coast.
Coastal Flooding Concerns at Morro Bay
Along the Central Coast, Morro Bay could see 18- to 25-foot surf and coastal flooding on Saturday. Large waves combined with high tides can push water onto:
- Beaches and parking lots
- Low-lying coastal roads
- Harbors and marinas
Second Round Arrives Sunday Night
After a brief break, a second round of big surf is expected to arrive Sunday night into Monday, keeping dangerous conditions in place along the coast, especially near Crescent City.
Part of a Stormy Pacific Pattern
The monster waves come as a series of cold storm systems moves into the West, bringing heavy rain to the coast and mountain snow inland. Forecasts call for 2 to 3+ inches of rain along the Northern California coast over the coming week.
Why These Waves Are So Dangerous
Waves this large can:
- Sweep people off rocks, jetties and piers
- Create powerful rip currents
- Cause sneaker waves that reach much farther up the beach than expected
- Damage coastal property and infrastructure
Big-Wave Surfing Spots Draw Attention
Waves of this size often attract experienced big-wave surfers to well-known breaks in Northern California. Officials typically warn that these conditions are extremely dangerous for anyone but experts, and even spectators should keep a safe distance.
Beach Safety Tips
- Stay off rocks, jetties and seawalls
- Never turn your back on the ocean
- Keep children and pets away from the water’s edge
- Follow beach closure signs and local warnings
- Avoid coastal roads during high tide in flood-prone areas
Outlook: Rough Seas Continue Into Next Week
With more storms lined up in the Pacific, rough surf and high waves may continue along the West Coast into next week.
Stay with Bchssreport.com for the latest updates on this story.
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