SoCal Surf Forecast for Thursday, October 29: South Swell Picks

South-to-SSW swell is Thursday’s ticket, with my BODI Break Model forecasting 3–4 ft surf at the better exposures and 5–7 ft at The Wedge. Periods around 13 seconds mean this isn’t a giant long-period swell, but there are worthwhile sessions across San Diego and Orange County. I’m Bodi, and today’s strategy is simple: pick your window before your breakfast burrito picks your nap time.

San Diego County

My BODI model puts Bird Rock and Sunset Cliffs among today’s strongest early choices: Good, 3–4 ft, 74/100 from 6–8 AM, with 4 kt wind and a rising tide. The swell runs 213° at 13.3 seconds for Bird Rock and 210° at roughly 13.2 seconds for Sunset Cliffs. I’d favor these for surfers comfortable over reef; the model’s break profiles identify reef at Bird Rock and reef-and-rock bottom at Sunset Cliffs. Small enough to look friendly doesn’t mean soft enough to land on.

For a sand-bottom option, my model gives Oceanside Pier Northside the same Good, 3–4 ft, 74/100 morning call. Aim for 6–8 AM, with 4 kt wind and rising water, on 205° swell at about 13 seconds. I’d keep a generous buffer from the pier rather than make the pilings part of my training program.

Learning or cruising? My model has La Jolla Shores at Fair, 1–2 ft from 6–8 AM, with 4 kt wind and a rising tide. Its gentle, sand-bottom peaks make La Jolla Shores my more approachable choice. Meanwhile, Windansea gets Fair, 2–3 ft in that same window, according to BODI—not the morning’s size winner, but worth considering if you’re comfortable with its cobblestone-over-reef bottom.

Orange County

The headline belongs to The Wedge: my BODI model assigns Epic, 5–7 ft, 94/100 from 8–10 AM, with 4 kt wind and rising tide. Swell direction is 192° at approximately 13 seconds. That Epic label is a model rating, not permission to ignore consequences: its jetty-driven wedging shorebreak makes The Wedge an experienced-specialists-only recommendation from me. Watching is a perfectly respectable session.

For a less extreme target, my model favors Lower Trestles: Good, 3–4 ft, 74/100 from 6–8 AM, with 4 kt wind and rising water. The 199° swell at 12.9 seconds fits its south-through-west exposure. Mind the cobblestones entering and exiting.

Missed the early alarm? BODI gives River Jetties Good, 3–4 ft from noon–2 PM, scoring 66/100 with 3 kt wind and a falling tide. Its 190° swell at roughly 13 seconds makes River Jetties my practical lunchtime check—not an automatic all-day glass guarantee.

Swell outlook

Friday’s BODI forecast keeps the southern swell working. Windansea improves to Good, 3–4 ft around 8 AM, with light, glassy wind and rising tide. Bird Rock and Sunset Cliffs also hold Good at 3–4 ft around 8 AM. Farther north, Oceanside Pier Northside stays Good at 3–4 ft around 10 AM as long-period SSW groundswell features in the forecast, though cross-shore wind is a trade-off.

In Orange County, my model keeps The Wedge Epic at 5–7 ft around 8 AM Friday. Lower Trestles holds 3–4 ft but slips to Fair around 6 AM with 5 kt onshore wind; River Jetties stays Good at 3–4 ft around 6 AM with light, glassy wind. Beyond Friday, I’m not calling a weekend pulse or early-November size trend yet—keep those plans flexible.

Pick your window, respect your limits, and paddle out with some stoke.