California largest tidal ranges

The largest tidal ranges at every Great Tides place, in one place. A tidal range is the difference in height between two consecutive tides at the same station — a high and the low that follows it, or a low and the high that follows it — so it measures how much water moves in and out on that swing. Rankings cover October 19, 2026 to January 16, 2027.

The biggest swings cluster on the same days as the highest highs and the lowest lows: when a very high tide is followed by a very low one, the range between them is large, and the falling tide uncovers shore that stays submerged on ordinary days. That is why the largest ranges below tend to fall in the King Tides windows. Each place is ranked only against itself — a range is a difference at one station, and a naturally larger range at one place does not make its tides better or worse than a smaller-range place.

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Largest range at each place

Each range is the difference between two consecutive predicted tides at that place's station; times are local station time.

Largest tidal ranges at Crescent City

The ten largest ranges at Crescent City (CRESCENT CITY station 9419750) in the window, largest first. Full rankings for this place, including its lowest, daylight and highest tides, are on its place page.

Largest tidal ranges at Half Moon Bay

The ten largest ranges at Half Moon Bay (Pillar Point Harbor station 9414131) in the window, largest first. Full rankings for this place, including its lowest, daylight and highest tides, are on its place page.

Largest tidal ranges at Santa Cruz

The ten largest ranges at Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay station 9413745) in the window, largest first. Full rankings for this place, including its lowest, daylight and highest tides, are on its place page.

Largest tidal ranges at Port San Luis & Avila Beach

The ten largest ranges at Port San Luis & Avila Beach (PORT SAN LUIS station 9412110) in the window, largest first. Full rankings for this place, including its lowest, daylight and highest tides, are on its place page.

Largest tidal ranges at La Jolla

The ten largest ranges at La Jolla (La Jolla (Scripps Institution Wharf) station 9410230) in the window, largest first. Full rankings for this place, including its lowest, daylight and highest tides, are on its place page.

Questions

What is the tidal range?

The difference in predicted height between two consecutive tides at the same station: for example, a high tide of 7.0 ft followed by a low tide of −1.9 ft is a range of 8.9 ft. It is measured between one high and the next low (or one low and the next high), over the few hours between them, not over a whole day.

When do the largest tidal ranges happen?

On the days of the highest highs and the lowest lows — the same alignment that produces king tides and minus tides. A very high tide followed hours later by a very low tide gives the largest possible difference, which is why the top ranges on this page cluster in the King Tides windows.

Can I compare tidal ranges between places?

A range is a difference at a single station, so it is a real measure of how much the water level swings at that station. Places differ naturally, though: a harbour at the head of a bay and an open-coast station will not swing by the same amount, and a larger range does not by itself mean better tidepooling, safer conditions, or better fishing. Each place above is ranked only against its own tides.

Are these the actual water levels I will see?

No. These are astronomical predictions from NOAA CO-OPS. Wind, storms and air pressure push real water levels above or below the prediction, sometimes by a foot or more. Check the local forecast and conditions before you go, and do not use these predictions for navigation.

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