Pipes (San Elijo) water quality & water temp today
Source: County of San Diego DEHQ (sdbeachinfo.com) · updated Mon Oct 26, 11:24 AM PT
Water temp
73.6°F
NOAA NDBC 46274 – Leucadia Nearshore, CA (262), 4 km away · Tue Oct 27, 1:26 PM PT
What to wear
Boardshorts or a bikini/top
≥72°F trunks · 66–71 spring/2mm · 62–65 3/2 · 58–61 4/3 · <58 4/3–5/4 + booties
Latest bacteria grade
B dry · n/s wet
Encinitas, San Elijo State Park, Pipes surf break · Heal the Bay Beach Report Card · Oct 23, 2026 (n/s = not sampled)
Rain (72 h)
0.00″
NWS KSAN · below the 0.1″ advisory threshold
Official monitoring stations
- San Elijo State Beach – Pipes — Open
- San Elijo State Beach – Stairs Near Main Entrance — Open
About Pipes (San Elijo)
Pipes (San Elijo) is a reef break at the north end of San Elijo State Beach campground in San Diego County. Like most Southern California breaks, its water quality is driven mostly by runoff: after rain, storm drains, creeks and river mouths flush bacteria into the surf zone, and county health officers advise staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours. During dry weather, water near creek mouths, piers and enclosed beaches still tends to grade worse than open coastline. County agencies sample weekly (more often in summer) and post advisories when bacteria exceed state standards, or close beaches after sewage spills. Ocean temperatures here typically run from the high 50s°F in spring upwelling to the low-to-mid 70s°F in late summer, so check the live reading above before choosing your rubber.
Wetsuit picks
Today's call here: Boardshorts or a bikini/top. Gear recommendations for each thickness are coming soon.
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