California King Tides Project

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.

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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.

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 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.

Contact the California King Tides Project at kingtides@coastal.ca.gov.