D Street Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
W, WNW, NW, SW
Wind
E, NE
Surf Height
D Street is fun and playful when it’s knee-high, but has the potential to hold up to double-overhead surf on a good day.
Tide
D Street is best when the swells are able to properly hit the bottom, which means mid to low tide is your best bet. Too much water and things will start to slow down.
D Street Surf Guide
D Street in Encinitas is a well-used beachbreak that can be fun at waist-high and blissful at overhead when all the elements come together. Exposed to a wide array of swells, it’s a dependable go-to spot in the summer months and when the combo swells come together in the autumn. The more straight-on the swell, the more likely it is to close out, which is a frequent occurrence here. A sunny Saturday or Sunday can get pretty busy, and when D Street is doing its thing, the vibe in the water gets more competitive. Dawn patrols and evening glass-offs are optimal, as the afternoon winds can pick up around here.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Under waist-high, D Street is inviting for novices, but as the power quotient goes up, so does the performance factor.
Local Vibe
Doable
With plenty of really good surfers in the area, the better the surf, the more competitive the vibe.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Because it appeals to everyone from the first-timers when it’s small to the seasoned local pros when it’s firing, there’s always somebody out at D Street when it’s decent. When it’s pumping, it can be a zoo.
Spot Rating
Fun
Located in one of San Diego’s most fertile surfing grounds, D Street is certainly no secret spot. Fun when it’s small, really fun when it’s crossed-up and firing.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
A mellow paddle when it’s below chest-high, after that expect to feel the burn.
Water Quality
Clean
Pretty clean on the daily, but like anywhere in Southern California, caution should be exercised after periods of heavy rains.
Hazards
Stingrays, rip currents, shallow sandbars at low tide.
Bring Your
Shortboard
Access
There’s ample public parking in the area, but it does get busy on the weekends and space is limited.
Bottom
There are some rocky reefs out the back that can make things interesting, but on an average day, D Street is a user-friendly, sand-bottom beachbreak.
Best Season
Picks up the SW swells of summertime and is exposed to energy from the North Pacific, too, so winter can be super consistent and really fun when swells start stacking up back to back. Spring can be a disappointment, as the swells slow down and onshore winds become an issue.
Do you have local knowledge about D Street?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]