SoCal Surf Forecast for Sunday, October 25: OC Has the Edge

South-to-SSW swell gives Orange County the size advantage this Sunday, October 25: my BODI Break Model calls Good, 3–4 ft surf at select Newport and Huntington breaks, versus mostly Fair, 1–3 ft in San Diego. Periods around 12 seconds make this a modest mid-period setup, not a long-period freight train. I’m Bodi, and my call is simple: chase the early window, not imaginary monster sets. Bring enthusiasm—and probably a little extra foam.

San Diego County

My BODI model puts Windansea among today’s better options at Fair, 2–3 ft, 55/100, best 6–8 AM with 4 kt wind and a rising tide. The swell approaches from 200° at 12.4 seconds. That direction fits Windansea’s S-through-W exposure, but the period falls short of its preferred 14 seconds-plus. I’d take the small-wave board, and remember: the model’s cobblestone-over-reef bottom means small surf isn’t permission to dive headfirst.

For North County, my model gives Cardiff Reef the same Fair, 2–3 ft, 55/100, with lighter 3 kt wind during 6–8 AM and a rising tide. Swell is 202° at 12.35 seconds, within Cardiff Reef’s preferred directional and period ranges. I’d favor this for surfers comfortable over reef who want a mellow-sized session rather than a barrel hunt.

Learning or logging? My model has La Jolla Shores at Fair, 1–2 ft, best 6–8 AM, with 4 kt wind and rising water. Its gentle, sand-bottom peaks make La Jolla Shores my more sensible beginner suggestion. By contrast, Blacks Beach also gets just Fair, 1–2 ft in my forecast: the 200° swell misses its preferred 250°–300° window. Blacks Beach isn’t today’s size shortcut. The ocean has declined that upgrade request.

Orange County

My BODI model’s highest local score belongs to The Wedge: Good, 3–4 ft, 74/100, best 6–8 AM, with 4 kt wind and a rising tide. Swell is 188° at 12.15 seconds—a favorable direction, but shorter than its preferred 15 seconds-plus. The Wedge’s jetty-wedged shorebreak is an experienced-surfer proposition, not a beginner recommendation just because the rating says Good.

I’d also check Newport Point and Huntington Beach Pier Southside. My model rates both Good, 3–4 ft, 70/100, with the same 6–8 AM window, 4 kt wind and rising tide. Newport Point shares the 188°, 12.15-second swell; Huntington Beach Pier Southside gets 186° at 12.1 seconds. Give the pier plenty of room, and keep those early-session expectations separate from an all-day glassy guarantee.

Prefer a later, smaller paddle? My model favors Doheny State Beach 10 AM–noon, around 11 AM, at Fair, 1–2 ft, with 3 kt wind and a falling tide. I’d bring a longboard to Doheny State Beach and leave the big-wave speech at breakfast.

Swell outlook

For Monday, my BODI forecast keeps Windansea Fair, 2–3 ft around 6 AM, with offshore wind and rising water; Cardiff Reef stays Fair, 2–3 ft, best around 8 AM. Newport Point and Huntington Beach Pier Southside ease to Fair, 2–3 ft, best at 6 AM and 8 AM, respectively. The Wedge holds Good, 3–4 ft around 6 AM, despite 4 kt onshore wind.

Beyond Monday, I’m not calling a new swell arrival or size jump yet. Keep Tuesday-through-late-week plans flexible rather than banking on a groundswell upgrade.

Pick your peak, match your ability, and paddle out with small-wave stoke.