California warns thousands to stay out

The National Weather Service warned beachgoers along parts of the California coast on Monday, June 1, 2026, to stay out of the water because of dangerous surf conditions. Newsweek reported the alert was in effect through Tuesday morning and covered stretches of coast including San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore, the San Francisco Peninsula coast, Monterey Bay and Big Sur. (newsweek.com) Forecasters said a long-period southwest swell was driving the hazard. The main risks were sneaker waves and strong rip currents. ### Which parts of California were under the warning? Newsweek said the National Weather Service warning covered large sections of the central and northern California coast, including San Francisco, the Coastal North Bay, the San Francisco Peninsula coast, northern and southern Monterey Bay, and the Big Sur coastline. (weather.gov) The San Francisco Bay Area forecast office showed a Beach Hazards Statement among its active advisories early Monday. The San Francisco Bay Area office also said there was an increased risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents at beaches across Northern California from Sunday into Monday. That advisory language matched the broader public warning described in Newsweek. (newsweek.com) ### What was causing the dangerous surf? The National Weather Service said, according to Newsweek, that a long-period southwest swell had triggered the alert. Long-period swells are widely spaced waves generated far from shore, and forecasters said they can produce unexpectedly powerful surf at beaches, rocks and jetties. Sneaker waves were one of the main concerns. (newsweek.com) The National Weather Service says sneaker waves can suddenly rush much farther up the beach than people expect and can injure or kill people who are standing near the waterline or on rocks and logs. (weather.gov) ### Why are rip currents part of this warning? Rip currents were the second major hazard named in the warning. The National Weather Service says rip currents are narrow channels of water moving away from shore and can pull even strong swimmers into deeper water. Federal safety data show how common that danger is. (newsweek.com) The National Weather Service’s surf-zone fatality page says rip currents account for a large share of surf-zone deaths in the United States, with preliminary 2026 data listing 23 surf-zone fatalities so far this year from rip currents, high surf and sneaker waves combined. ### What were people told to do? Newsweek reported the National Weather Service urged people to remain out of the water and to stay off jetties, rocks and piers until conditions improved. The article also said forecasters warned people never to turn their backs on the ocean and not to attempt a rescue without a flotation device. (newsweek.com) California State Parks gives similar guidance on its ocean safety page. The agency says large surf, cold water, backwash, shorebreak and dangerous rip currents can make beaches hazardous even when conditions appear manageable from shore. ### Where can beachgoers check for updates? (weather.gov) The National Weather Service’s San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles forecast office pages listed beach-related advisories on Monday, showing that surf hazards were part of the day’s active warnings along the coast. Local conditions can vary by stretch of shoreline, and the Weather Service directs visitors to local forecast pages for current hazard information. California State Parks said visitors should check park status and restrictions before leaving home and use its incident and safety pages as a reference. (newsweek.com) The current warning cited by Newsweek was set to run through Tuesday morning, when forecasters were expected to reassess surf conditions. (parks.ca.gov) (weather.gov) (parks.ca.gov)