California King Tides Project
How to Participate |
King Tides Photo Gallery |
About King Tides |
Educator Resources
The next statewide King Tide Project dates are
December 4-5, 2025 and January 2-3, 2026
Plus November 6 and December 6, 2025 in Southern CA and some Northern CA locations.
Check the tide map for your local dates and times.
Join #KingTides on social media:
Sign up to receive email about King Tides.
The California King Tides Project helps us visualize future sea level
by observing the highest tides of today. You can help by taking
and sharing photos of the shoreline during King Tides to create a record of changes to
our coast and estuaries.
Explore a map of
photos from recent King Tides.
Find out what time and how high
the King Tides will be near you. Learn how to participate by uploading your
photos via a web browser or with a free app. Your photos will be added to a map of this season's
King Tides photos. As always, please be cautious and respect the power of the ocean, and don't disturb shorebirds that
may be much farther upland than usual. Download a How to Participate flyer.
You can join a webinar on December 2nd, from 12:00pm-12:30pm, to walk
through how to participate in the King Tides Project, including tips on how to take a great king
tides photo. Register here. (Attendance is not required to participate in the project.)
Join a King Tides event
Events will be posted throughout the season, so check back for more.
If you would like to organize
an event, please email us at kingtides@coastal.ca.gov.
Each respective hosting organization is responsible for the following events. Please contact
them for further details.
Thursday, December 4, 2025
King Tides at Famosa Slough
Famosa Slough
4285 W. Point Loma Boulevard, San Diego
Dec. 4, 9am-11:30am
Presented by San Diego Bird Alliance and Friends of Famosa Slough.
Witness the King Tides, the highest tides of the year, and see what our future shoreline
could look like! The tide peaks at 7.33 ft at 7:39 AM in the San Diego River, but because
of the Slough’s unique hydrology, it will be highest about three hours later, ~10:30am.
Explore educational booths, enjoy amazing birdwatching, and learn about ongoing surveys of
the Light-footed Ridgway's Rail and Belding’s Savannah Sparrow. Help us document the tides
and discover how sea level rise impacts our wetlands. Get more info here.
Friday, December 5, 2025
King Tides and Marsh Trails
Pescadero State Beach
Central Pescadero Beach Access Parking Lot, Pescadero, San Mateo County
Dec. 5, 9am-10am
Presented by Arriba South Coast,
San Mateo Resource Conservation District,
and California State Parks.
Join a fun, interactive learning event to observe the highest tides of the year
and how they change the landscape of the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve. These high
tides give us a glimpse into the future of sea level rise and how these changes may
impact our coastal beaches, road infrastructure, and community. The event will begin
with a brief discussion of coastal resilience (and some hot chocolate!) before venturing
down to the marsh lagoon and trails. Bring a camera (or use your phone camera) - we'll be
uploading photos to the California King Tides image database. Highest tides occur between
9:30-10:15. Be prepared for wet/muddy trails and cool weather. Walk routes may change if
trails become inundated. Free! Family-friendly. Please
RSVP here. For questions contact (650) 455-6690 or irma@arribasouthcoast.org.
Binational Wandering the King Tides
Binacional de las Mareas del Rey de California
Both at Kendall-Frost Marsh, 2111 Pacific Beach Dr San Diego
And Estero de Punta Banda, Mexico
Dec. 5, 7:30am-9:30am
Presented by San Diego Bird Alliance and Reserva Privada Antonio Perisky.
Be part of the first Binational California King Tides Event, happening simultaneously
at Kendall-Frost Marsh (USA) and Estero de Punta Banda (Mexico)! Communities on both sides
of the border are invited to document extreme high tides by taking photos and recording
conditions throughout the day. Enjoy birdwatching and plein-air painting as the marshes
transform, an opportunity to observe, create, and contribute to cross-border coastal science.
¡Sé parte del primer Evento Binacional de las Mareas del Rey de California, que se
llevará a cabo simultáneamente en Kendall-Frost Marsh (EE. UU.) y Estero de Punta Banda
(México)! Las comunidades de ambos lados de la frontera están invitadas a documentar las
mareas extraordinariamente altas tomando fotos y registrando las condiciones a lo largo
del día. Disfruta de la observación de aves y de la pintura al aire libre mientras los
humedales se transforman, una oportunidad para observar, crear y contribuir a la ciencia
costera binacional.
Get more information here.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
High Tide Day in San Rafael
711 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, Marin County
Dec. 6, 9am-noon
Presented by Canal Alliance, Multicultural Center of Marin, UC Berkeley, City of San Rafael, Canal Arts, and the Exploratorium.
Join your neighbors and local scientists to document the highest tides of the year! Teams will
use community science kits to explore how low-lying spots along the waterfront are affected by high
tides. Measure flooding and take pictures alongside local experts. San Rafael is one of the Bay Area's
most vulnerable cities to sea level rise, and the information you collect will help our community
prepare. Waterproof boots recommended! This event is free but please register in advance with
Kate.Hagemann@cityofsanrafael.org.
King Tides in China Camp
China Camp State Park, Marin County
Turtle Back Trailhead, North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Dec. 6, 10am-1pm
Presented by Friends of China Camp.
Come out for a unique educational experience during this winter’s King Tides! Friends of China Camp
will be hosting a tabling event to explore how these extreme high tides give us a
glimpse into the future of sea level rise. Learn how King Tides affect our local
environment and infrastructure, discover what they tell us about climate change,
and find out how you can get involved in community science through the California
King Tides Project. This is a family-friendly, interactive event—stop by to chat
and pick up educational materials. If you have questions, email
cjackson-clark@friendsofchinacamp.org.
King Tide at the Cove
Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove
1252 McKay Avenue, Alameda
Dec. 6, 11:30am-12:30pm
Presented by East Bay Regional Park District.
Stop by and watch as the 7.8-foot-high king tide flows into the marine protected area.
What areas will be flooded? Where will the birds take shelter? Participate in community
science and take photos to help document this tidal event! Drop-in, no registration required.
For information, call (510) 544-3187 or visit
website.
December 2025 King Tides at Pond SF2
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
2100 Willow Road, Menlo Park, Santa Clara County
Dec. 6, noon-1pm
Presented by San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society.
Join us at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge at Ravenswood Pond SF2 (Menlo Park)
for a free guided walk and discover how the highest tides of the year give us a glimpse into the future
of sea level rise. We'll learn what King Tides are, how sea level rise is reshaping our coastal communities,
why habitat restoration matters and how you can contribute as a community scientist. This interactive event
is suitable for all ages and will take place rain or shine. Register online today! Please note: this event is being held concurrently at two Refuge
locations. The same content will be covered. To register for our other location in Alviso, click
here.
King Tides Walk
EcoCenter
2560 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County
Dec. 6, 11:30am-1:30pm
Presented by Environmental Volunteers.
Join a fun (free!), interactive learning experience which will teach you about what King Tides are
and why they are exciting! The event will include a brief hands-on science talk about the tides,
and then a gentle walk through the Palo Alto Baylands. Highest of the high tides is at 12:24pm.
Walks go rain or shine. Be prepared for some wet trails and maybe some puddle-jumping. Participation
is free, but space is limited; please register online (and sign up on the waitlist if tickets are full. We’ll open more up soon).
Find more details online.
December 2025 King Tides in Alviso
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
1751 Grand Blvd, Alviso, Santa Clara County
Dec. 6, noon-1pm
Presented by San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society.
Join a free guided walk and discover how the highest tides of the year give us a glimpse into the future of
sea level rise. We'll learn what King Tides are, how sea level rise is reshaping our coastal communities, why
habitat restoration matters and how you can contribute as a community scientist. This interactive event is
suitable for all ages and will take place rain or shine. Register online today! Please note: this event is being held concurrently at two Refuge
locations. The same content will be covered. To register for our other location in Menlo Park, click
here.
King Tides and Marsh Trails
Pescadero State Beach
Central Pescadero Beach Access Parking Lot, Pescadero, San Mateo County
Dec. 6, 9:30am-10:30am
Presented by Arriba South Coast,
San Mateo Resource Conservation District,
and California State Parks.
Join a fun, interactive learning event to observe the highest tides of the year
and how they change the landscape of the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve. These high
tides give us a glimpse into the future of sea level rise and how these changes may
impact our coastal beaches, road infrastructure, and community. The event will begin
with a brief discussion of coastal resilience (and some hot chocolate!) before venturing
down to the marsh lagoon and trails. Bring a camera (or use your phone camera) - we'll be
uploading photos to the California King Tides image database. Highest tides occur between
9:30-10:15. Be prepared for wet/muddy trails and cool weather. Walk routes may change if
trails become inundated. Free! Family-friendly. Spanish interpretation provided. Please
RSVP here. For questions contact (650) 455-6690 or irma@arribasouthcoast.org.
King Tides Java with a Lifeguard
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds
Pacific Grove, Monterey County
Dec. 6, 9am-11am
Presented by Asilomar State Beach/California State Parks.
Watch the waves while sipping on warm drinks with State Parks staff. Learn about water safety from our
Lifeguards and the wonders of King Tides from our Interpreters. Free coffee and tea will be provided near
the main entrance to Asilomar State Beach. This is a free drop-in event.
Santa Monica Annual King Tides Celebration
Santa Monica Beach
Meet at Heal the Bay Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, Los Angeles County
Dec. 6, 8am-10am
Presented by Climate Action Santa Monica.
Experience one of the wonders of nature, the highest tides of the year! When the planets and sun are at their
closest, and the orbits of the earth and sun are just right, the King Tides, the highest tides of the year,
will occur. These high tides give us a glimpse into the future of sea level rise and how these changes will
affect our beach, coastal infrastructure, and our community. Join us for a truly memorable experience, as we
document the tides and connect with others in a shared appreciation of the wonder of the natural world.
Find more details and sign up
online.
For questions, email casmclimatecorps@gmail.com
King Tide Watch
Roundhouse Aquarium
Base of Manhattan Beach Pier, Los Angeles County
Dec. 6, 9am-10:30am
Presented by Roundhouse Aquarium/Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc..
Join the Roundhouse Aquarium, local scientists, and climate activists for a special King Tide Watch at the Manhattan Beach
Pier to experience one of nature’s most dramatic high tides. Participants will help document how rising sea levels impact
the California coastline. Bring your camera or phone to capture the tide and share your photos for this community science effort.
Also bring sunglasses and a sun hat, water, and dress in warm layers for the weather. Find more details
online.
Saturday, January 3, 2026
King Tides Walk and Talk in China Camp
China Camp State Park, Marin County
Turtle Back Trailhead, North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
Jan. 3, 11am-12pm
Presented by Friends of China Camp.
Join a Walk and Talk with China Camp State Park volunteers to observe the effects
of a 7.13 foot King Tide on county roads and infrastructure. Registration and more details to come.
Observing the King Tide at Crab Cove!
Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove
1252 McKay Avenue, Alameda
Jan. 3, 10:30am-noon
Presented by East Bay Regional Park District.
What does it look like at the shoreline when the sun, moon and earth align in such a way
that the tide is much higher (and lower) than usual? We’ll observe areas that might be
flooded, discover where some birds take shelter, take photos to submit to the CA King Tides
Project, and discuss how urban planners hope to protect the future of our shoreline.
If there happens to be a windy storm, the shoreline gets even more exciting! Drop-in,
no registration required. For information, call (510) 544-3187 or visit
website.
King Tides Project at Rose Creek Salt Marsh and Estuary
Mike Gotch Memorial Bridge, 2600 N Mission Bay Drive, San Diego
Jan. 3, 7:30-9am
Presented by Friends of Rose Creek and San Diego Bird Alliance.
Document the King Tides in the Rose Creek Salt Marsh and Estuary adjacent to Mission Bay High and Barnard Elementary Schools.
Bring your app enabled device and we’ll help you get set up to be a community scientist helping to project what sea level
rise in our community will look like. Today's tide is projected to be a 7’4″ tide which is high at or shortly after 8:20 AM.
Download the Survey123 App (in English or
Spanish) ahead of time. More details.
