Swimming in California in december 2024 Sea temperature by city in december

Do you want to go to the beach in California in december 2024? Is it the right month to go for pleasant temperatures and staying in the water for a long time? The answer is on this page with the sea temperatures in december in California by city and our opinion on the chances of enjoying pleasant sea conditions.

Sea temperature in California in december 2024

Here, find the average sea temperature in California in december in several coastal cities.

Los Angeles

on average:

61°F

min: 59°F / max: 63°F

details

San Francisco

on average:

55°F

min: 53°F / max: 57°F

details

San Diego

on average:

61°F

min: 59°F / max: 63°F

details

Big Sur

on average:

56°F

min: 54°F / max: 58°F

details

Cambria

on average:

58°F

min: 56°F / max: 60°F

details

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Channel Islands National Park

Crescent City

on average:

52°F

min: 49°F / max: 56°F

details

Encinitas

on average:

61°F

min: 58°F / max: 63°F

details

Eureka

on average:

53°F

min: 49°F / max: 57°F

details

Gaviota

on average:

59°F

min: 58°F / max: 61°F

details

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Gualala

on average:

55°F

min: 52°F / max: 57°F

details

Half Moon Bay

on average:

55°F

min: 53°F / max: 57°F

details

Hollywood

on average:

61°F

min: 59°F / max: 62°F

details

Jenner

on average:

54°F

min: 52°F / max: 57°F

details

Klamath

on average:

52°F

min: 49°F / max: 56°F

details

Malibu

on average:

60°F

min: 59°F / max: 61°F

details

Manhattan Beach

McKinleyville

on average:

53°F

min: 49°F / max: 56°F

details

Where should you go swimming in California in the month of december?

Swimming in California in december is cold (in the best case scenario)

In december in California swimming conditions vary by city. Details below:

Swimming in december in Los Angeles , San Diego, Encinitas, Hollywood, Malibu and Manhattan Beach is possible... with a wetsuit! Indeed, the water is cold at this time of year with an average temperature of 61°F (min: 59°F/max: 63°F).

Forget about swimming in San Francisco, Big Sur, Cambria, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Channel Islands National Park, Crescent City, Eureka, Gaviota, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Gualala, Half Moon Bay, Jenner, Klamath and McKinleyville in december! The water temperature is freezing, reaching as low as 53°F (and only 57°F at the best of times). Our advice: plan on sightseeing, and don't bring your beach towel!

Where to go swimming in California in december: the map of sea temperatures

ideal swimming pleasant swimming cool swimming cold swimming freezing swimming

Water temperature and seasonal norms in december

Los Angeles

December
Average sea temperature 61°F
Minimum sea temperature 59°F
Maximum sea temperature 63°F
Average outside temperature 61°F
Maximum outside temperature 67°F
Minimum outside temperature 54°F
Precipitation 2.9in
Number of days of precipitation 3 jour(s)
(8%)
Cloud cover 21%
Our opinion cold swimming

More information on swimming in Los Angeles in december

San Francisco

December
Average sea temperature 55°F
Minimum sea temperature 53°F
Maximum sea temperature 57°F
Average outside temperature 54°F
Maximum outside temperature 59°F
Minimum outside temperature 49°F
Precipitation 2.5in
Number of days of precipitation 4 jour(s)
(13%)
Cloud cover 33%
Our opinion freezing swimming

More information on swimming in San Francisco in december

San Diego

December
Average sea temperature 61°F
Minimum sea temperature 59°F
Maximum sea temperature 63°F
Average outside temperature 61°F
Maximum outside temperature 67°F
Minimum outside temperature 56°F
Precipitation 2.6in
Number of days of precipitation 3 jour(s)
(9%)
Cloud cover 22%
Our opinion cold swimming

More information on swimming in San Diego in december

Big Sur

December
Average sea temperature 56°F
Minimum sea temperature 54°F
Maximum sea temperature 58°F
Average outside temperature 54°F
Maximum outside temperature 59°F
Minimum outside temperature 50°F
Precipitation 4.3in
Number of days of precipitation 5 jour(s)
(17%)
Cloud cover 31%
Our opinion freezing swimming

More information on swimming in Big Sur in december

Cambria

December
Average sea temperature 58°F
Minimum sea temperature 56°F
Maximum sea temperature 60°F
Average outside temperature 56°F
Maximum outside temperature 61°F
Minimum outside temperature 49°F
Precipitation 2.4in
Number of days of precipitation 3 jour(s)
(10%)
Cloud cover 26%
Our opinion freezing swimming

More information on swimming in Cambria in december

List of coastal cities in California

Los Angeles in decembercold swimming
San Francisco in decemberfreezing swimming
San Diego in decembercold swimming
Big Sur in decemberfreezing swimming
Cambria in decemberfreezing swimming
Carmel-by-the-Sea in decemberfreezing swimming
Channel Islands National Park in decemberfreezing swimming
Crescent City in decemberfreezing swimming
Encinitas in decembercold swimming
Eureka in decemberfreezing swimming
Gaviota in decemberfreezing swimming
Golden Gate National Recreation Area in decemberfreezing swimming
Gualala in decemberfreezing swimming
Half Moon Bay in decemberfreezing swimming
Hollywood in decembercold swimming
Jenner in decemberfreezing swimming
Klamath in decemberfreezing swimming
Malibu in decembercold swimming
Manhattan Beach in decembercold swimming
McKinleyville in decemberfreezing swimming
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