Ocean Temperatures on the California Coast in Winter

Average water temperatures of the Pacific Ocean along the California coast during winter are listed below. You'll find separate tables for each coastal region of the state: Southern Coast, Los Angeles Area, Central Coast, San Francisco Area and Northern Coast.

Winter temperatures in the Pacific Ocean along California's coast typically range from 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16.5 degrees Celsius) off Newport Beach on the southern coast to 51 degrees F (10.6 °C) at Crescent City and Trinidad near the state's northern end.

Actual ocean temperatures do of course vary from year to year depending upon the weather and the flow of ocean currents.

These coastal water temperatures are averages compiled by the US National Oceanographic Data Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Southern California Coast

Winter brings the coolest sea water of the year to southern California, with the ocean temperature from Los Angeles southwards generally hovering around 57 to 59 degrees F.

Average ocean water temperature in °F

Place	Dec	Jan	Feb
Balboa	59	57	57
Dana Point	58	57	57
La Jolla	59	58	57
Newport Beach	61	58	60
Oceanside	59	57	57
San Clemente	58	57	57
Santa Catalina Island	60	58	57

Los Angeles Area

Average ocean water temperature in °F

Place	Dec	Jan	Feb
Anacapa Island	59	56	56
Gaviota	58	57	57
Los Angeles	60	58	58
Point Mugu	59	57	57
Port Hueneme	58	56	56
Santa Monica	59	57	57
Ventura	56	55	57
Zuma Beach	58	57	57

Central California Coast

Average ocean water temperature in °F

Place	Dec	Jan	Feb
Avila Beach	55	55	56
Morro Bay	55	54	54
Pacific Grove	55	53	54
Point Lobos	53	53	53
Santa Barbara	57	56	57

San Francisco Area

Average ocean water temperature in °F

Place	Dec	Jan	Feb
Alameda	53	51	54
Bodega Bay	53	52	52
San Francisco, Fort Point	55	53	53
Santa Cruz	54	53	54

Northern California Coast

Average ocean water temperature in °F

Place	Dec	Jan	Feb
Crescent City	51	50	51
Fort Ross	53	52	52
Mendocino	53	52	52
Trinidad	51	51	51