King Tides occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun come into alignment during the New Moon phase, just a few times a year. This amazing celestial event leads to exceptionally high tides, causing the shoreline to extend and waves to reach their peak height. At the same time, we'll experience extremely low tides, giving us a look at marine life that is normally hidden.

Explore the King Tides of the Pacific Coastline

"King tide" is a common — non-scientific — way to refer to the biggest tides of the year. This means that during a king tide, we'll see the highest high tide and the lowest low tide of the year. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, King tides occur when the sun and moon are both at their closest to Earth — pulling on the ocean with their strongest gravitational force. A king tide’s scientific name is perigean spring tide, "perigean" meaning that the moon is closest to the earth, and "spring" referring to a full or new moon.

When to watch:

Make plans to head to the pacific coast to experience the highs and lows of this tide phenomenon:
January 11-13, 2024
February 8-10, 2024

King Tide at Pier 3, San Francisco, 1/22/23

Watching The King Tide Roll In To The Aquarium!
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Low tide at Asilomar State Marine Reserve

San Francisco Events:

A Royal Walk with the King Tide along the Embarcadero
Between Pier 3 and Pier 5 on the Bay side of San Francisco's Embarcadero
Jan. 11, 10:15am-11:15am
Presented by Exploratorium and Port of San Francisco
Join the Exploratorium and Port of San Francisco staff on the San Francisco waterfront to observe, photograph, and discuss the King Tides. Come find out what causes the tides, why we have higher tides at this time of year, and learn more about the Waterfront Resilience Program's efforts to protect the city's waterfront. Because of sea level rise, the King Tides of today provide opportunities to experience the "normal" high tides of tomorrow. We'll meet rain or shine. Come see the future! This event is free, no reservations are required. Exploratorium museum entrance is not included. The high tide predicted at our closest tide station that day is 7.12 feet at 10:43am. For more information, contact Lori Lambertson at llambertson@exploratorium.edu.

Reserve your space now at some of the best viewing spots in California and Oregon for experiencing the king tides. We can help you customize your adventure! Contact us now to start the planning process.

Gleneden Beach, Oregon | Salishan Coastal Lodge

With over 200 acres of all-season, coastal playground, Salishan invites you to recalibrate among hospitality, holistic wellness, coast-to-table dining, and empowering eco-adventures infused with nature.

• Tranquil guest rooms and suites wrap you in warm, natural light.

• Find old-growth timber or seaside bluffs at every turn at our Oregon Coast golf course.

• Rest, relaxation and renewal await at The Spa at Salishan.

Starting at $159/night

Private home or villa on Depoe Bay, Oregon

Book your stay at a private beachfront home for a more unique experience. Make it a quiet, romantic getaway for 2, or bring along friends or family. Many include a spa, fire pit, and many more amenities.

• Panoramic views

• Whale watching

• Private spa

• Beach access

Starting at $200/night for a January/February stay.

Historic Carmel-by-the-Sea | Golden Rectangle area

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a celebrated travel destination known across the globe. Situated along the coast of California south of San Francisco, Carmel-by-the-Sea was founded around the turn of the 20th century as a progressive bohemian artist’s community. Carmel’s city plan describes the town as “a village in a forest overlooking a white sand beach,” and this is truly exemplified in the Golden Rectangle.

• Carmel-by-the-Sea features historic theaters, art galleries, fine dining, and dog-friendly venues.

• Explore historic cottages and coastal bungalows, featuring Spanish and Italian architectural influences, custom woodwork and hand-crafted masonry.

Starting at $242/night for a January/February stay.

La Jolla Cove Area | Southern California

This beautiful coastal town's breathtaking sunsets and majestic sea lions are simply captivating. The area is elegant, yet laid back, perfect for romantic beach walks or finding thrilling activities for the kids to enjoy. Crystal-clear water and warm swimming temperatures year-round make it one of the most picturesque options for enjoying a day at the beach.

• Explore coastal walks, tide pools and sea lions

• Stroll through art galleries, open-air markets, locally-painted murals.

Starting at $197/night for a January/February stay.

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