Where is the sea coldest in California in December?

East Beach Santa Barbara in United States has the coldest sea in California in December, averaging about 13.0 °C. Butterfly Beach (13.0 °C) and Refugio State Beach are the next coolest.

How many beaches in California are warm enough to swim in December?

None of the top 25 ranked beaches in California reach 22 °C in December, so a wetsuit is recommended for anything longer than a quick dip.

How are these December sea temperatures calculated?

Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical December rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

Seasonal ranking

Coldest sea temperature in California in December

Where the sea is coolest across California during December, ranked by long-term monthly average water temperature. East Beach Santa Barbara (Central California, United States) is the coolest at around 13°C. Open any spot for today's live water temperature and a 7-day swim forecast.

1
East Beach Santa Barbara
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
2
Butterfly Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
3
Refugio State Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
4
Pismo Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
5
Avila Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
6
Morro Bay Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
7
Cayucos Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
8
Carmel Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
9
Monterey State Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
10
Santa Cruz Main Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
11
Capitola Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
12
Pfeiffer Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
13
Stinson Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
14
Baker Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
15
Half Moon Bay
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
16
Carmel River State Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
17
Moonstone Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
18
Grover Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
19
Oceano Dunes
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
20
Jalama Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
21
Rincon Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
22
Silver Strand Beach Ventura
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
23
Ventura Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
24
La Conchita Beach
Central California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
13°C
December average
25
Coronado Beach
Southern California · United States · Pacific Ocean
Cool — shorty wetsuit recommended
16°C
December average

Coldest sea in December elsewhere

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California in December — frequently asked questions

Where is the sea coldest in California in December?: East Beach Santa Barbara in United States has the coldest sea in California in December, averaging about 13.0 °C. Butterfly Beach (13.0 °C) and Refugio State Beach are the next coolest.
How many beaches in California are warm enough to swim in December?: None of the top 25 ranked beaches in California reach 22 °C in December, so a wetsuit is recommended for anything longer than a quick dip.
How are these December sea temperatures calculated?: Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical December rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

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