SoCal Surf Forecast for Friday, September 25: Early Rewards

Mid-period SSW swell is serving up a worthwhile Friday, September 25: my BODI model puts standout San Diego breaks at 4–5 ft and Excellent, while The Wedge reaches 5–6 ft and Epic. The winning ingredient is light morning wind, not some monster long-period groundswell. I’m Bodi, and my call is simple: pick your exposure, catch the rising tide, and let the snooze button experience rejection for once.

San Diego County

My BODI forecast favors 6AM–8AM, with rising water and just 1–3 kt wind across the county’s morning windows. Around La Jolla, the swell runs roughly 209° at 10.6 seconds; Cardiff Reef carries 210° at 11.15 seconds. That’s mid-period SSW energy—useful lines, but not a guarantee of booming barrels everywhere.

For experienced reef surfers, my model gives Bird Rock and Sunset Cliffs Excellent, 4–5 ft, 82/100. Bird Rock gets 2 kt wind during that window; Sunset Cliffs gets 3 kt. I’d treat both as skill-dependent choices: reef and rock deserve respect, even when the surface looks friendly. A high rating is not permission to switch your brain into airplane mode.

Prefer sand underfoot? My BODI model has Oceanside Pier Northside and Oceanside Harbor at Excellent, 4–5 ft, 82/100, with 2 kt wind and a rising tide from 6AM–8AM. Oceanside Harbor’s individual hourly peak reaches Epic around 8AM, but I’m keeping the broader session call at Excellent. Give the pier and jetties plenty of room.

For a smaller step down, my forecast puts Windansea at Good, 3–4 ft, 74/100, with 3 kt wind, also 6AM–8AM. Windansea’s cobblestone-over-reef bottom still makes it a more considered choice than La Jolla Shores, where BODI calls Fair, 1–2 ft, with gentle sandy peaks. I’d steer learners toward La Jolla Shores rather than the higher-rated reefs.

Orange County

My standout conventional surf pick is Lower Trestles: Excellent, 4–5 ft, 82/100, best 6AM–8AM, with 3 kt wind and rising water. BODI puts the period at 10.6 seconds. I’d favor Lower Trestles for capable surfers comfortable handling cobblestone entries and lefts and rights.

The biggest rating belongs to The Wedge, where my model calls Epic, 5–6 ft, 90/100, best 8AM–10AM, with 3 kt wind and a rising tide. The swell is 201° at 10.4 seconds—well short of its preferred 15-second-plus period. The Wedge is jetty-amplified shorebreak, not an all-abilities recommendation; I’d leave this one to specialists.

For a less intense option, BODI gives Huntington Beach Pier Southside Fair, 2–3 ft, 55/100, best 6AM–8AM, with 3 kt wind and rising water. Its swell runs 199° at 10.4 seconds. I’d bring extra foam and stay clear of the pier.

Swell outlook

Saturday’s BODI forecast keeps Bird Rock, Oceanside Pier Northside, Oceanside Harbor and Lower Trestles Excellent at 4–5 ft, best around 6AM. Sunset Cliffs eases to Good, 3–4 ft. Light, glassy wind and rising tides remain the morning helpers.

My model strengthens The Wedge to Epic, 5–7 ft around 8AM Saturday, while Huntington Beach Pier Southside improves to Good, 3–4 ft around 6AM. Beyond Saturday, I’m not calling a fresh swell arrival, a sustained build or a fade yet—Sunday into midweek remains an open call.

Pick the break that fits your ability, hit the morning window, and paddle out with your judgment switched on.