Cassidy
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Cassidy is a sandy beach-break in South Oceanside that can produce both left and right waves. It’s generally a mellow, fun surf option that tends to be uncrowded on both weekdays and weekends, with the spot often being mostly surfed by locals. The spot is described as regular and can start working at less than 1 meter, holding up to about 2 meters or more when sandbars line up. Wave quality is reported as good, but conditions can be hit-or-miss and are strongly dependent on sandbar configuration; overhead waves are rarely consistently good. Cassidy is exposed and has little protection from afternoon conditions, and it’s specifically noted that it can get blown out quickly in afternoon wind. Wind alignment matters: East to SouthEast winds are reported as helping groom the faces, while West/Northwest winds tend to create chop. Safety is a priority here. Pollution is reported as a hazard, particularly after rainfall (including reports of dirty water after big rain tied to nearby lagoon outlets), and rip currents are also noted. There are also notes about limited spot rescue availability and lifeguard presence being seasonal; when lifeguards are not present, you should assume fewer on-the-spot resources. Facilities are limited—no public restrooms or showers are reported—so plan accordingly.
- Regular, fun beach break over a sandy bottom
- Works from under 1m up to 2m+ when sandbars appear
- Often few surfers (hit-or-miss but uncrowded)
- Offshore options with East/NorthEast/SouthEast winds
- Key hazards: pollution (after rain) and rip currents
- Fun, regular beach break that can hold from under 1m to 2m+
- Sandy bottom and generally good wave quality
- Often uncrowded/low weekday and weekend crowds
- Works well with common Southern California swell/wind combinations (West/SouthWest/South swells with East to SouthEast winds)
- Water quality/pollution concerns, especially after rain
- Rip currents reported
- Afternoon winds can blow the spot out quickly
- Limited amenities on-site (no public restrooms/showers reported)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NNE, NE, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- NNE, NE, E, ESE, SE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Regular afternoon sea-breeze/thermal influence with clean morning offshore windows when winds align.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gust profile reported.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec · Dir: W, NW · Sea-breeze pattern is most consistent in the afternoon (reported 12pm–5pm for the wider Oceanside coastal area).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small wave conditions reported; also described as starting under 1m and holding to 2m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop reported; West/Northwest winds can add additional chop.
- Launch
- Small — Beach break accessed via stairs; easy entry during lower tides reported.
Through the year
Low in off-season; uncrowded on weekdays and weekends; can be higher on weekends and during summer holidays (reported as moderate year-round).
December through March marks the primary rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Cassidy is a mellow South Oceanside sandy beach break that can produce both left and right waves. It works best with West/SouthWest/South swells and East to SouthEast winds, and it’s often less crowded than the main pier area. Conditions are hit-or-miss and highly influenced by sandbar configuration.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide / rising tide preferred (reported as best on mid to rising tide; additional note: best on a rising mid-tide).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed beach break with little to protect from afternoon wind.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the NorthEast, East, or SouthEast help groom faces; West/Northwest winds tend to cause chop. Also reported to get blown out quickly in afternoon wind.
- Bigger Swell
- Rarely good overhead; can close out on large overhead swells and works best on mid-sized swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Reported moderate power; also described as fun.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Reported peeling; can be peeling depending on sandbars.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal ride length is typically short; can extend when sandbars appear.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are under 50 meters, commonly under 50m, with the potential to reach 150m on optimal sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cassidy in the full forecast view.
Cassidy wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–9 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- W269°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 269 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 13–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cassidy is forecast for daytime winds of 1–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.6–1.2 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Pollution (especially after rain)
- Rip currents
- Occasional crowds
- Occasional kelp and submerged rocks in some areas
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported for the spot area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Reported limited rescue availability at the spot, while the wider Oceanside area has professional lifeguard services year-round.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside. Emergency services: 911. Lifeguards are provided by the Oceanside Lifeguard Department (seasonal presence reported at this spot).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Primarily local, hit-or-miss surf spot; usually few surfers.
Rules of the spot
Surfing etiquette applies; follow any designated summer swimming-zone restrictions and obey lifeguard/posted instructions.
- Surfing is closed in front of Lifeguard Tower 8 during summer months; surfers must walk down to the jetty.
- Specific swimming zones may be designated in summer months.
- Gets blown out quickly in afternoon wind.
- Can get dirty after big rain due to nearby lagoon outlets.
- Check water quality reports before entering after heavy rainfall.
- Best surfed on a rising mid-tide.
- Bring what you need: no public restrooms or showers reported.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Oceanside
- Nearest Town
- Oceanside
- Parking
- Street parking in residential areas surrounding Cassidy Street (and Pacific Street area). Reported as free but limited availability.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via NCTD Coaster and Sprinter rail systems connecting to San Diego and Escondido.
- Access
- Short walk down wooden stairway to the beach (and ramp access reported via Cassidy Street stairs/ramp).
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals and hotels are available in South Oceanside.
- Food & Drink
- Various cafes and restaurants are available within walking distance on Coast Highway.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard and wetsuit rentals available in the wider Oceanside area.
- Gear Storage
- Public lockers are not widely available; storage is typically managed through local shops or private accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Board repair services available via local surf shops in the wider Oceanside area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cassidy?
The best overall months at Cassidy are July, August, September, May, June. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Cassidy?
Cassidy works with E, NNE, NE, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are NNE, NE, E, ESE, SE.
What skill level is Cassidy suitable for?
Cassidy suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.