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OpenWaterAtlas

San Francisco

3.7 — based on 15 community signals
4.1 8 species 11 contributors

San Francisco in Oia, Spain is a year-round surf spot with consistent waves and a local community backing it up.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Shore entry

At a glance

Activity
surf
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
San Francisco location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.5 kn
Wave
1.78 m
Water
14.5°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (22%)
Now: ENE (59°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 2.75m

Today: High 10:00 (+0.09m), Low 03:00 (-0.88m)

+1.0 m0 m-1.8 m
▼ 03:00 · -0.88m ▲ 10:00 · +0.09m ▼ 16:00 · -0.86m ▲ 23:00 · -0.11m Now -0.9m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6 · high Air PM2.54 · good 08:19 20:38
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 5.3 1.82 6 0mm
09-20 5.4 1.32 6 0mm
09-21 5.7 1.22 6 0mm
09-22 6.9 1.2 6 0mm
09-23 7.8 1.52 6 0mm
09-24 4.4 1.42 6 0mm
09-25 8.8 2.1 6 0mm

About this spot

San Francisco is a surf break located in Oia, in the Pedornes region of Spain. This spot works throughout the year, making it accessible to visiting surfers across all seasons. The break has built a modest but engaged community, with at least three videos from local surfers documenting sessions and conditions. The spot sits outside a marine protected area, so there are no additional restrictions on access beyond standard beach regulations. Local knowledge is always valuable here, and connecting with the community through available video content can help new visitors understand the break's rhythm and best entry points. While specific depth and difficulty data aren't documented, San Francisco's year-round viability suggests a versatile setup that handles different swell directions and wind patterns. The break's longevity and community presence indicate it's worth checking current conditions before paddling out. Visitors should research tide and swell forecasts specific to Oia, as these will shape daily conditions. Local surf guides or tourism offices in the area can provide real-time conditions and any seasonal tips.

📖 Guide: Diving in Spain: 91 Sites From Kelp Forests to Barracuda Walls

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Bottlenose dolphin

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 49%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1230km · ~283kg · €5

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to surf San Francisco?

San Francisco works year-round, so you can visit any season. Check local forecasts and tide tables before your session to catch the best conditions on your chosen day.

What is the difficulty level and what depth should I expect?

Specific difficulty and depth data for this break are not currently documented. Watch the available community videos to gauge the wave size and character, and ask locals about tides and conditions.

Are there any permits or restrictions?

San Francisco sits outside a marine protected area, so there are no MPA-specific restrictions. Follow standard beach and local regulations.

How can I learn more about conditions and local knowledge?

Check the three community videos available for this spot to see recent sessions and conditions. Connect with local surfers and tourism operators in Oia for current forecasts and tips.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

61 records · 30 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Steromphala pennanti

Gastropoda · Trochidae
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Mar 2022
×1records

Paracentrotus lividus

Echinoidea · Parechinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Mar 2022
×1records

Mytilus edulis

Bivalvia · Mytilidae
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Oct 2021
×1records

Urocaridella pulchella

Malacostraca · Palaemonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Jul 2020
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Raja montagui

Elasmobranchii · Rajidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Aug 2019
×1records

Axinella

Demospongiae · Axinellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Jun 2019
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Pisidia longicornis

Malacostraca · Porcellanidae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Jun 2019
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Delphinus delphis

Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Nov 2018
×1records

Sabellaria

Polychaeta · Sabellariidae
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Jun 2018
×1records
Depth:
12 m

Mytilus edulis

Bivalvia · Mytilidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Dec 2016
×1records

Siphonophorae

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Feb 2015
×1records
Depth:
0–90 m

Doliolidae

Thaliacea · Doliolidae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Oct 2014
×1records
Depth:
0–90 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Spanish surfer Inigo tries Pleasure Point on for size~ #surfing #watersport #spaniard

Frequency Horizon

A Windsurfer plays with the Ferry wake on the San Francisco Bay

venniey
💬 3 top comments
  • Yes, feel good stuff. So glad to share. Thanks Suzi!!!

    @venniey · 👍 0
  • Larkspur is really shallow = no great white. Ironically the GW shark is nicknamed 'the warden' by surfers. There are seals though over there, I have seen one recently. FYI the water in this part of the bay is really warm, a wetsuit is not always required. Lastly ferry rides are really the best part of sailing at Larkspur. Thanks for filming this.

    @sfvince211 · 👍 0
  • Glad you enjoyed it. It was sure fun being there!

    @venniey · 👍 0

Surfer fights off shark during competition: 'I was swinging and screaming'

Associated Press
💬 3 top comments
  • The first surfer to ever say “I’m happy to never do this again” after a life threatening situation. Kudos to you sir

    @justanmpowereddude5021 · 👍 29000
  • ... For a professional surfer to say he is happy to never compete again, shows the fear he felt at that moment.

    @kenchino0161 · 👍 11000
  • It’s a miracle he was able to get out with all his limbs. I’m glad he’s OK.

    @kassi4837 · 👍 17000

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