Fastrack · California Beaches Set to Close as Massive Waves Approach

Santa Cruz closed all city beaches and its wharf Friday night as the National Weather Service forecast 25- to 35-foot breaking waves. The closure lasts until 5 a.m. Sunday.

40 to 50 feet: possible wave heights at spots including Mavericks.
Pismo Beach Pier closes Saturday at midnight; city beaches stay open.
18- to 25-foot waves forecast for San Luis Obispo County beaches.
State Parks canceled Oceano Dunes beach camping reservations through Monday.

Why it matters: The weather service called the drowning risk very high and warned of sneaker waves, rip currents and coastal flooding. Santa Cruz officials said the wharf remains structurally safe.

60% chance this El Niño exceeds any since 1950, NOAA says.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency in September ahead of El Niño.

How 9 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 9 sources

9 sources · 12 articles · 56% Left coverage

Center3 sources

Newsweek11hCalifornia beaches close as 35-foot waves hit amid powerful El Niño PennLive10hMassive waves are headed for California. Some could reach 50 feet Yahoo News5hBiggest waves in a decade pound California beaches and flood streets

Left5 sources

Cleveland.com10hMassive waves are headed for California. Some could reach 50 feet San Francisco Chronicle6hVideo: Biggest waves in a decade hit California coast SFGate1dSanta Cruz to close all city beaches, wharf as 'dangerously large' waves arrive The New York Times2hThe Surf’s Way, Way Up as Huge Waves Pound the California Coast The Washington Post5hSurfers wax up as coastal cities brace for giant waves to hit California

Right coverage, 1 sources: The right covers the closures as a public-safety story tied to a strong El Niño, with the New York Post adding a local voice who questioned whether closing the pier is excessive caution.

New York Post7mDramatic moment freak wave bursts through California pier as powerful tides flood streets

What’s next: Santa Cruz beaches and the wharf stay closed until 5 a.m. Sunday. City officials say they will monitor conditions through the weekend.

More west-northwesterly swells expected into next week, with likely low-lying flooding.
Pismo Beach may close beaches if tide and wave conditions worsen.
How much coastal erosion or infrastructure damage will the weekend surf cause?
Will the strengthening El Niño bring repeated closures along the California coast this winter?