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Coldest beach in California in January

404 coastal locations in California ranked by their typical January sea temperature. State-wide average in January: 13.3°C.

Coldest in January

Pyramid Point, Smith River

11.0°C

State January average

13.3°C

across 404 coastal locations in California

Vs annual mean

-1.2°C

below the year-round state average

What the California water feels like in January

Water at this temperature is cold and will feel very cold initially, but the body will get used to it and longer swims are possible. Experienced swimmers can manage several hours of swimming, however hypothermia is still a real risk.

California monthly average 12.9°C to 16.9°C
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  • Warmest month September 16.9°C
  • Coldest month March 12.9°C
  • Annual mean 14.5°C
  • Months above 20°C 0 of 12

Where January fits in the year

January sits inside the state pattern shown on the left. Browse a different month for a fresh ranking.

California sea temperature map (live)

Today's reading at every California beach we track. The list below uses the typical January mean from a decade of daily history.

Zoom in to see individual locations. Click a pin for water temperatures. View list →
°C -2 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 24 27 30 35

Top 50 coldest California beaches in January

Sorted by typical January mean. Click any beach for the full location page.

# Location January mean
1 Alameda California 12.0°C
2 Aquatic Park California 12.0°C
3 Baker Beach California 12.0°C
4 Belvedere California 12.0°C
5 Berkeley California 12.0°C
6 Black Point Green Point California 12.0°C
7 Bucks Lake California 12.0°C
8 China Beach California 12.0°C
9 Hercules California 12.0°C
10 Montalvin California 12.0°C
11 Montara California 12.0°C
12 Moss Beach California 12.0°C
13 Oakland California 12.0°C
14 Pacifica State Beach California 12.0°C
15 Pinole California 12.0°C
16 Dillon Beach California 12.0°C
17 Lake Almanor California 12.0°C
18 Bodega Harbor entrance California 11.9°C
19 Fort Ross California 11.9°C
20 Arena Cove California 11.9°C
21 Green Cove California 11.9°C
22 Point Arena California 11.9°C
23 Mendocino, Mendocino Bay California 11.9°C
24 Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg California 11.9°C
25 Noyo River California 11.9°C
Show 25 more ▸
26 Fort Bragg California 11.8°C
27 Glass Beach California 11.8°C
28 Mendocino California 11.8°C
29 Shelter Cove California 11.8°C
30 Westport California 11.8°C
31 Shasta Lake California 11.8°C
32 Cockrobin Island Bridge, Eel River, San Francisco California 11.5°C
33 Arcata Wharf, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
34 Bucksport, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
35 Elk River Railroad Bridge, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
36 Eureka, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
37 Eureka Slough Bridge, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
38 Fields Landing, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
39 Hookton Slough, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
40 Mad River Slough, Arcata Bay, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
41 North Spit, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
42 Samoa, Humboldt Bay California 11.2°C
43 King Salmon California 11.2°C
44 Trinidad Harbor California 11.2°C
45 Bayview California 11.2°C
46 Eureka California 11.2°C
47 Trinidad California 11.1°C
48 Crescent City California 11.0°C
49 Pyramid Point, Smith River California 11.0°C
50 Requa Dock California 11.0°C

Warmest 10 in California in January

Same data flipped. The warmest spots in the state for this month.

# Location January mean
1 Havasu Lake (Colorado river) California 15.7°C
2 Chula Vista California 15.6°C
3 Coronado California 15.6°C
4 Imperial Beach California 15.6°C
5 Ocean Beach San Diego California 15.6°C
6 Point Loma California 15.6°C
7 San Diego California 15.6°C
8 Baby Beach California 15.6°C
9 Capistrano Beach California 15.6°C
10 Dana Point California 15.6°C

Other US states

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