Santa Monica Beach or Zuma Beach today?
Santa Monica, California · Malibu, California — 30 km apart
Updated 4:03 AM PDT
96Santa Monica Beach
vs
95Zuma Beach
Too close to call today. Santa Monica Beach scores 96 and Zuma Beach scores 95, 30 km apart. Pick on what you plan to do rather than the overall number.
Which one, for what
- Neither pulls ahead on anything we measure today — every activity is within a few points. At 30 km apart they are drawing on the same weather and swell, so the deciding factor is the beach itself: parking, crowds, and what you want from the day.
| Activity | Santa Monica Beach | Zuma Beach | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming | 84 | 84 | tie |
| Families with kids | 81 | 81 | tie |
| Walking & shelling | 85 | 82 | tie |
| Surfing | 82 | 80 | tie |
Conditions side by side
| Now | Santa Monica Beach | Zuma Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | 74°F | 73°F |
| Wave height | 2.6 ft | 3.5 ft |
| Air temperature | 72°F | 72°F |
| Wind | 3 mph | 6 mph |
| UV index | 0 | 0 |
| Next tide | Low 4:13 AM | Low 4:13 AM |
| Water quality | 30–96, varies along the beach | Graded A+ |
Both readings taken at the same moment, from the same sources, so the comparison is like for like.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to Santa Monica Beach or Zuma Beach today?
They score within a few points of each other (96 and 95), so pick on what you plan to do rather than the overall number.
How far apart are Santa Monica Beach and Zuma Beach?
About 30 km in a straight line. Far enough apart that conditions can genuinely differ between them.