California is a magical place in the winter, the monarchs return to the state to overwinter, Santa Claus arrives on a surfboard, and twice in two months, the waves get very, very high.
King Tides, the natural phenomenon that results when the gravitational pull of the sun, the moon, and Earth align, occur Dec. 4-5 and again on Jan. 2-3, 2026.
In some parts of the state, King Tides made a special appearance in November due to the Super Moon, but for the most part, King Tides are a seasonal two-fer.
King Tides are important for a couple of reasons. They help us understand how a higher sea level will impact coastal communities and allow jurisdictions to plan for future sea level rise.
While King Tides are not caused by global climate change, scientists expect average daily tides to rise by the same amount over the next few decades due to human-caused sea level rise.
According to a state report, by 2050, the median sea level along the California coast is expected to rise between 0.8 feet and 1.2 feet, and by 2100, between 3.1 feet and 6.6 feet.
King Tides are also very interesting to experience when done safely—a good rule of thumb is to admire from afar and never turn your back to the ocean.
The flip side of the high tides is very low tides. Extremely low tides offer beachgoers a great opportunity to explore tide pools, home to sea stars, anemones, crabs, and other marine life.
What are King Tides?
King Tides are the highest tides of the year and can reach up to two feet higher than average high tides.
The rare but predictable event happens throughout the world, but at different times in each place because each location on the globe lines up with the sun and moon at different times.
During floods or stormy weather, water levels can rise during King Tides, causing damage along the coastline.
When are King Tides?
King Tides can be experienced in California during Dec. 4-5 and Jan. 2-3, 2026.
To find out when the tides are at their highest and lowest, consult your local tide chart. For example, search for “Santa Cruz Tide Chart” or “Los Angeles Tide Chart”. The California King Tides Project has a statewide map.
How can I get involved?
Citizen scientists can get involved by taking photos and sharing them with The California King Tides Project, an initiative started in 2011 by a partnership of state, federal agencies and nonprofit organizations. It is a part of a global network of King Tides projects.
The photos serve as a living record of change for future generations, document current flood risk in coastal areas, picture the impacts of future sea level rise in coastal areas, and “ground-truth and validate climate change models by comparing model predictions with the high-tide reality.”
Once uploaded onto the website, photos can be used for presentations, research, and use by government agencies for planning purposes. They are also a good teaching tool for students.
Stay safe while tide pooling and exploring the coast
The Pacific Ocean is notoriously formidable and unpredictable. While King low tides offer visitors a rare window into life along the sea, the following are some tips to help keep you safe.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: California King Tides return, when and how to see them safely
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
