Foster City tides today
- Tide now 3.5 ft ↑ rising · high 4:06 am (6.3 ft)
- Best time to fish 3:10–5:00 am average day · 6/10
- Beach tomorrow 10:00 am–1:00 pm Poor beach day · 4/10
- Waves · water 5.2 ft · 66 °F moderate · 9.4 s from the west-northwest
- Wind · air 5 mph · 51 °F from the SSE, gusts 6 · overcast
- Sun 7:31 am–6:14 pm 10 h 43 min of daylight
- Moon 83% · 9:07 pm waning gibbous · rises at 9:07 pm
- Best time to dive 2:00–3:30 pm good day · 7/10
- Coastal Flood Advisory: minor flooding along the shore at high tide. Until Sat 31, 6:00 pm. NWS San Francisco CA
Today in Foster City there are high tides at 4:06 am (6.3 ft) and 2:35 pm (8.8 ft) and low tides at 8:59 am and 10:16 pm. Tide coefficient 78. Right now the tide is rising toward the high tide at 4:06 am. The sun rises at 7:31 am and sets at 6:14 pm: 10 h 43 min of daylight. The moon is 83% illuminated (waning gibbous) and rises at 9:07 pm. Major solunar periods run from 2:56 am to 4:56 am and from 3:29 pm to 5:29 pm. The next spring tides arrive from November 9 to 11. The sea is moderate, with 5.2 ft waves. There's a light breeze from the south-southeast (5 mph). Overcast, 51 °F.
Fishing in Foster City today
Best time to fish
Solunar activity today: medium- High tide at 4:06 am, coefficient 78
- Major period 2:56–4:56 am
- Falling pressure (−0.09 inHg in 24 h), light offshore wind (5 mph) and 5.1 ft waves
- Waning gibbous: a bit more activity than at the quarters
- Highest tide coefficient today: 78 (average tides)
Your day at a glance
The best window, 3:10 am to 5:00 am, combines the 4:06 am high tide, a major period and falling pressure. Also good from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, with the 8:59 am low tide, sunrise, falling pressure and some swell. Also good from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, with the 2:35 pm high tide, a major period, falling pressure and some swell.
Species with the most records nearby: market squid, Chinook salmon, lingcod and striped bass. October is one of the months when these are seen most: lingcod and black rockfish. What you can catch
Beach day in Foster City
Is it a beach day?
- Calm for swimming: 4.9 ft waves
- UV 3 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen
- Water at 66 °F (cool)
- Low tide at 8:59 am: more sand
- Cloudy (91% cloud cover)
- Feels like 65 °F: a bit cool
Today, hour by hour
- Swimming Calm · 4.9 ft
4.9 ft waves: calm for swimming. Low rip current risk. Always follow the lifeguard's flags.
- Water 66 °F
Cool: refreshing on a hot day.
- Sun & sunscreen UV 3 · SPF 30
Max UV 3 (moderate): SPF 30 sunscreen, reapplied every 2 hours.
- Wind 9 mph
Offshore breeze (9 mph). Watch floats and inflatables: offshore wind carries them out to sea.
- Tide & sand 8:59 am
Low tide at 8:59 am and 10:16 pm: that's when there's the most sand. High tide at 4:06 am and 2:35 pm.
We don't have data on jellyfish, sargassum or beach closures: ask the lifeguard or check with the local beach authority. How it works · The next 7 days
Beaches near Foster City
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Coyote Point Beach 3.7 mi · NW
- Restrooms
- Parking
- Aardvark Beach 4.0 mi · NW
- Parking
Water quality: check the official beach advisories for California (California State Water Resources Control Board).
Named beaches within 6.2 mi, nearest first. Amenities from OpenStreetMap: some may be missing or out of date. View on OpenStreetMap · Add or fix on OpenStreetMap
Beaches and amenities: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Webcams near Foster City
Webcams provided by windy.com — add a webcam
Tides in Foster City
Today's high and low tides
- ▲ Next high tide 4:06 am 6.3 ft · coef. 78
- ▼ Low tide 8:59 am 3.1 ft
- ▲ High tide 2:35 pm 8.8 ft · coef. 75
- ▼ Low tide 10:16 pm -0.9 ft
↑ Rising The tide is rising. 2 h 56 min to high tide at 4:06 am.
Tide coefficient 78 for the 4:06 am high tide and 75 for the 2:35 pm high tide. Average coefficient. The water rises and falls 9.7 ft between the highest high and the lowest low: a large range for this place. 70 is an average tide here; 90 and above means spring tides; below 45, neap tides. What is the tide coefficient?
2026 extremes: the highest tide of the year is on December 24 (9.8 ft) and the lowest, on June 16 (-1.9 ft).
Mixed: two high and two low tides a day, but of quite different heights.
Heights above mean lower low water (MLLW), the zero of US nautical charts. Astronomical prediction: wind and air pressure can raise or lower the water by a few inches, and more in a storm. Not for navigation. MLLW
Tide coefficient and range in October
The biggest tides of the month came from October 8 to 10 (coefficient 89, 8.1 ft range). The smallest, from October 17 to 18 (coefficient 40, 3.0 ft).
Tide and solunar table · this week
| Day | Sun | Tide 1 | Tide 2 | Tide 3 | Tide 4 | Coef. | Moon | Major periods | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today, Thu 29 | 7:31 am · 6:14 pm | High tide 4:06 am · 6.3 ft | Low tide 8:59 am · 3.1 ft | High tide 2:35 pm · 8.8 ft | Low tide 10:16 pm · -0.9 ft | Coef. 78 | 83% | Major periods 2:56 am · 3:29 pm | Medium |
| Fri 30 | 7:32 am · 6:13 pm | High tide 5:12 am · 6.2 ft | Low tide 9:59 am · 3.3 ft | High tide 3:30 pm · 8.4 ft | Low tide 11:18 pm · -0.7 ft | Coef. 71 | 73% | Major periods 4:01 am · 4:32 pm | Medium |
| Sat 31 | 7:33 am · 6:12 pm | High tide 6:20 am · 6.2 ft | Low tide 11:17 am · 3.4 ft | High tide 4:36 pm · 7.9 ft | — | Coef. 65 | 62% | Major periods 5:02 am · 5:32 pm | Medium |
| Sun 1 | 6:34 am · 5:11 pm | Low tide 12:25 am · -0.4 ft | High tide 6:24 am · 6.4 ft | Low tide 11:52 am · 3.2 ft | High tide 4:52 pm · 7.3 ft | Coef. 62 | Last quarter | Major periods 5:00 am · 5:26 pm | Medium |
| Mon 2 | 6:35 am · 5:09 pm | Low tide 12:32 am · -0.1 ft | High tide 7:19 am · 6.7 ft | Low tide 1:19 pm · 2.7 ft | High tide 6:14 pm · 6.8 ft | Coef. 66 | 39% | Major periods 5:52 am · 6:17 pm | Medium |
| Tue 3 | 6:36 am · 5:08 pm | Low tide 1:34 am · 0.2 ft | High tide 8:05 am · 7.1 ft | Low tide 2:29 pm · 2.0 ft | High tide 7:34 pm · 6.6 ft | Coef. 72 | 29% | Major periods 6:40 am · 7:03 pm | Medium |
| Wed 4 | 6:37 am · 5:07 pm | Low tide 2:28 am · 0.5 ft | High tide 8:45 am · 7.6 ft | Low tide 3:26 pm · 1.3 ft | High tide 8:48 pm · 6.5 ft | Coef. 77 | 20% | Major periods 7:26 am · 7:48 pm | Medium |
▲ high tide · ▼ low tide · heights above MLLW. Major periods: start time; they last 2 hours. Activity: based on the moon phase and the solunar periods.
Where this tide comes from
Tides from the Bay Slough station (NOAA), 1.6 mi from Foster City. Times and heights are its predictions. It is a NOAA subordinate station: its times and heights come from the San Francisco (Golden Gate) reference station with the official corrections.
Station data attribution: Slackwater database (https://github.com/openwatersio/slackwater-database)
The sea at Foster City
Sea stateSea state: moderate
The waves you may find
- Most commonMost common2.6 ft
- Significant5.2 ft
- Highest expectedHighest11 ft
One wave in seven is higher than the significant height, and about 3 times a day one reaches 11 ft. Before heading out, expect waves of up to 11 ft.
Wind on the coast and offshore
Cross-offshore wind. The coast faces northeast and the wind comes off the land at an angle: calmer water near the shore, and bait and boats drift out to sea.
Wave height, next 7 daysWaves, next 7 days
Waves build over the next few days. The biggest waves arrive on Sunday 1: 6.4 ft with a period of 8 s, from the west-northwest (moderate).
Water temperature
Water temperature →Water temperature changes how fish behave: in very cold or very warm water they feed less. The water cools over the next few days: about 64.5 °F by Wednesday 4.
Water warmer than normal for late October (+6.4 °F).
Satellite: NASA MUR (JPL MUR MEaSUREs, PO.DAAC), doi:10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04. Sources and licenses
Water temperature →Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 1:10 am (local time).
Nearest buoy
This is a real measurement of the sea, not a forecast. Data from station 46237, courtesy of CDIP (Coastal Data Information Program, Scripps Institution of Oceanography), via the NOAA National Data Buoy Center.
Diving in Foster City today
Diving and snorkeling today
Likely visibility: fair- Slack water around high tide (2:35 pm): little current from 2:20 pm to 3:00 pm
- 3.8 ft swell at 6 s from the west-northwest: some surge on the bottom
- Light offshore wind (5 mph)
- 0.1 mph current toward the north, weak (model)
- Sun high: more light underwater
- Slack water today: high tide 4:06 am (3:50–4:30 am), low tide 8:59 am (8:40–9:14 am), high tide 2:35 pm (2:20–3:00 pm) and low tide 10:16 pm (10:00–10:31 pm)
- Likely visibility: fair. Swell (up to 5.2 ft at 5 s) over the last few days has stirred up the water. Based on the last 24 hours of data.
- Water at 65.5 °F: a 5 mm wetsuit.
- Snorkeling: better not, with these waves, wind or current.
- Night dive: dark from 6:41 pm. Waning gibbous (83%), rising at 9:07 pm: a bright night.
Your diving day at a glance
The best window, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, combines slack water at high tide, light wind, weak current and the sun high, though with some swell. Also worth a look from 8:20 am to 9:30 am, with slack water at low tide, light wind and weak current, though with some swell.
Slack water comes from the tide: in inlets, channels and between islands the water can keep running for an hour or two after. Ask the local dive shop.
Never dive alone and check with the local dive shop: this rating is a guide, not a substitute for a professional.
Dive sites, wrecks and dive shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- USS Thompson 6.2 mi
- Ravenswood Open Space Preserve 9.6 mi
- Hayward Regional Shoreline 9.6 mi
- Cetacea Corporation 0.6 mi
- Scuba Fusion Dive Center 2.0 mi
- SCUBA/FUSION 2.6 mi
- Hollis 12 mi
Within 12 mi. Some may be missing or closed; marine reserves usually need a permit. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Sites: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Weather in Foster City
Now in Foster City
- Low / high
- 49 / 67 °F
- Rain
- 0.00 in · 2%
- Clouds
- 94%
- Humidity
- 57%
- Dew pointDew point
- 36 °F
- Visibility
- 20 mi
- UV indexUV
- 0 · low
- Air qualityAir
- Moderate · 56
- Saharan dust
- No
Pressure and fishing
- ↗ RisingRising Anglers say fish bite less for a while
- → SteadySteady · now Anglers expect normal activity
- ↘ FallingFalling Anglers say fish feed more before the change
Steady now (−0.01 inHg in 3 hours). It barely changes over the next 48 hours. Steady pressure: anglers expect normal activity. Fast changes, either way, tend to affect fishing.
Today, hour by hourHour by hour
Bars: mean wind. Dashed line: gusts. Arrows point where the wind blows to.
| Time | 12:00 am | 3:00 am | 6:00 am | 9:00 am | 12:00 pm | 3:00 pm | 6:00 pm | 9:00 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast | Overcast |
| Temperature | 51° | 50° | 50° | 53° | 63° | 67° | 61° | 60° |
| Wind (mph) | 2 S | 4 SE | 4 S | 2 S | 4 ENE | 5 W | 7 W | 3 W |
| Gusts | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 7 |
| Waves | 5.2 ft | 5.1 ft | 4.9 ft | 4.8 ft | 4.8 ft | 4.9 ft | 4.8 ft | 4.7 ft |
| Rain | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
- 3:00 am 50° 4 SE 5.1 ft
- 6:00 am 50° 4 S 4.9 ft
- 9:00 am 53° 2 S 4.8 ft
- 12:00 pm 63° 4 ENE 4.8 ft
- 3:00 pm 67° 5 W 4.9 ft
- 6:00 pm 61° 7 W 4.8 ft
- 9:00 pm 60° 3 W 4.7 ft
- 12:00 am 57° 4 SW 4.7 ft
Next 14 daysComing days
| Day | Sky | Low / high | Max wind | Max wave | High tides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today · 29 | 49 / 67 °F | 9 mph SW | 5.2 ft | 4:06 am · 2:35 pm | |
| Fri 30 | 53 / 66 °F | 11 mph W | 4.8 ft | 5:12 am · 3:30 pm | |
| Sat 31 | 51 / 64 °F | 9 mph W | 4.3 ft | 6:20 am · 4:36 pm | |
| Sun 1 | 50 / 66 °F | 13 mph NW | 6.4 ft | 6:24 am · 4:52 pm | |
| Mon 2 | 49 / 70 °F | 4 mph NNE | 6.2 ft | 7:19 am · 6:14 pm | |
| Tue 3 | 53 / 71 °F | 4 mph SW | 6.3 ft | 8:05 am · 7:34 pm | |
| Wed 4 | 53 / 69 °F | 8 mph WSW | 5.5 ft | 8:45 am · 8:48 pm | |
| Thu 5 | 53 / 68 °F | 10 mph WSW | 5.8 ft | 9:20 am · 9:53 pm | |
| Fri 6 | 53 / 67 °F | 11 mph W | 9.6 ft | 9:52 am · 10:53 pm | |
| Sat 7 | 54 / 68 °F | 8 mph WNW | — | 10:22 am · 11:48 pm | |
| Sun 8 | 53 / 68 °F | 6 mph NW | — | 10:51 am | |
| Mon 9 | 57 / 68 °F | 6 mph SE | — | 12:39 am · 11:19 am | |
| Tue 10 | 57 / 66 °F | 11 mph S | — | 1:28 am · 11:49 am | |
| Wed 11 | 63 / 65 °F | 14 mph S | — | 2:16 am · 12:20 pm |
- Fri 30 Overcast 53° / 66° 4.8 ft
- Sat 31 Light drizzle 51° / 64° 4.3 ft
- Sun 1 Light drizzle 50° / 66° 6.4 ft
- Mon 2 Overcast 49° / 70° 6.2 ft
- Tue 3 Overcast 53° / 71° 6.3 ft
- Wed 4 Light drizzle 53° / 69° 5.5 ft
- Thu 5 Light drizzle 53° / 68° 5.8 ft
Each day comes from the best model covering this spot: regional ones first (HRRR and NBM in the U.S., AROME, ICON-EU), then ECMWF; day 16, NOAA GFS. Waves: Météo-France up to day 10, then ECMWF WAM, coarser and further offshore. High tides: our own tide calculation.
- Normal Today, cooler than normal for late October (−2.2 °F; normal high: 70 °F). Climate by month →
Forecast from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) with models from ECMWF, NOAA, Météo-France, DWD, Copernicus Marine and CAMS. Updated at 1:10 am (local time).
The sun in Foster City
Sunrise and sunset
- First light 6:33 am
- Full dark 7:12 pm
- Civil dawn 7:04 am
- Civil dusk 6:41 pm
- Solar noon 12:53 pm (39° high)
- Daylight 10 h 43 min (−2 min)
- Evening golden hour 5:37 pm
- Full dark 7:12 pm
Golden hour and the day-night map
Today the sun is 92,327,358 mi away and looks 32′ 11″ across.
The moon in Foster City
Moon phase and position
Today the moon is 226,837 mi away and looks 32′ 43″ across.
Solunar periods
Today's activity: medium- 2:56–4:56 am Major · the moon passes overhead · high activity
- 3:29–5:29 pm Major · the moon passes underfoot · high activity
- 11:21 am–12:21 pm Minor · moonset · medium activity
- 8:37–9:37 pm Minor · moonrise · medium activity
According to solunar theory, fish feed more when the moon passes overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 h) and when it rises or sets (minor periods, 1 h). It works best around new and full moon.
Upcoming moon phases
2026 moon calendar →- Last quarter Sun, Nov 1 · 12:29 pmNov 1 in 3 days
- New moon Sun, Nov 8 · 11:03 pmNov 8 in 10 days
- First quarter Tue, Nov 17 · 3:48 amNov 17 in 19 days
- Full moon Tue, Nov 24 · 6:54 amNov 24 in 26 days
Next perigee (the moon at its closest to Earth): November 25, 223,281 mi away.
Where to fish in Foster City
Piers, ramps and tackle shops nearby
Map: OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles · © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Fishing pier 9.1 mi
- Runway Alignment Indicator Light System 5.7 mi
- Approach Lighting System MALSR 5.9 mi
- Jetty 3.1 mi
- Boat ramp 0.3 mi
- Boat ramp 0.7 mi
- Kite launch 3rd Ave Lower 1.0 mi
- Boat ramp 1.1 mi
- Kite Launch 3rd Ave Upper 1.3 mi
- Coyote Point Marina 3.3 mi
- Redwood City Yacht Harbor 5.0 mi
- Fuel dock 3.4 mi
Within 9.3 mi. A spot may be missing or closed. Open the map on OpenStreetMap · Missing one? Add it to OpenStreetMap
Spots: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps.
Water depth
Gentle slopeThe bottom slopes gently: 16 ft deep 0.55 mi from shore and 33 ft at 0.6 mi.
From the shoreline (1.1 mi from Foster City) out to sea, heading northeast.
How far from shore
- 16 ft deep0.55 mi
- 33 ft deep0.6 mi
- 66 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
- 164 ft deepnot within 3.1 mi
For fishing, swimming and diving
- Shore fishing. Shallow, gradual bottom (16 ft at 0.55 mi): cast far from the beach and fish the high tide, when there is more water close in.
- Swimming. A very gentle way in with plenty of shallow water, good for kids. At low tide the water can be far out.
- Diving. 33 ft deep 0.6 mi from shore; 66 ft is far out (beyond 3.1 mi): for deeper dives, go by boat.
Inside bays, estuaries and harbors the bottom changes a lot from spot to spot (channels and shoals): use this only as a rough guide.
Source: NOAA U.S. Coastal Relief Model (public domain), cells of about 300 ft; depth below mean sea level. For reference only: not for navigation or anchoring.
Tides near Foster CityTides nearby
- Belmont2.7 mi
- San Mateo3.0 mi
- San Carlos3.6 mi
- Redwood City5.4 mi
- Burlingame5.5 mi
- Millbrae6.9 mi
- San Bruno9.1 mi
- East Palo Alto9.4 mi
- South San Francisco10 mi
- Palo Alto11 mi
Foster City at a glance
- Town or city of about 33,477 people. Coordinates: 37.559° N, 122.271° W.
- It is 442 mi northwest of San Diego, the main place in California. The sun rises 27 min later and sets 13 min later than in San Diego.
- The nearest tide station, Bay Slough, is 1.6 mi to the east.
- Its coast faces northeast.
- Beaches and harbors nearby: San Mateo Fishing Pier (1.4 mi), Coyote Point Marina (3.1 mi), Port of Redwood City (4.6 mi), Petes Harbor (4.8 mi).
Questions about Foster CityQuestions
What time is high tide today in Foster City?
Today in Foster City there are high tides at 4:06 am (6.3 ft) and 2:35 pm (8.8 ft) and low tides at 8:59 am and 10:16 pm. Tide coefficient 78.
What time is sunset today in Foster City?
At 6:14 pm. There is light until the end of civil twilight, at 6:41 pm.
What time is sunrise tomorrow in Foster City?
At 7:32 am. First light comes at 6:34 am.
What phase is the moon today?
Waning gibbous, 83% illuminated. New moon on Sun, Nov 8 · 11:03 pm.
When are the next spring tides?
From November 9 to 11.
What are today's solunar periods?
Major 2:56–4:56 am, Minor 11:21 am–12:21 pm, Major 3:29–5:29 pm, Minor 8:37–9:37 pm. Today's activity is medium.
What's the weather like today in Foster City?
Overcast, from 49 °F to 67 °F, with a light breeze from the south-southeast (5 mph) and a 2% chance of rain.
How is the sea today in Foster City?
Moderate (Douglas 4): 5.2 ft waves with a period of 9.4 s from the west-northwest. The water is 65.7 °F.
When is the best time to visit Foster City?
The best time to visit Foster City is from June to September: highs of 74 °F to 77 °F, barely 1 rainy day a month and 10 hours of sunshine a day.
Can I use this data for navigation?
No. These are predictions for fishing and leisure; for navigation, use the official publications.
Where this data comes from
Tide: NOAA station Bay Slough (public domain), via Slackwater database. Sun and moon: our own calculation with astronomy-engine. Places: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Coastline: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).