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Old 07-18-2011, 09:05 AM
 
Location: USA
69 posts, read 203,761 times
Reputation: 31

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Why is the Pacific so cold around Los Angeles and San Diego? Especially when compared to Hawaii? I know Hawaii is farther south, but if the temperatures are in the 80's or something in LA, why is the water so much colder? I'd love to live there, but I couldn't handle such cold water.
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Old 07-18-2011, 09:08 AM
 
Location: Declezville, CA
16,806 posts, read 39,931,898 times
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California Current - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Old 07-18-2011, 09:17 AM
 
Location: San Diego, California Republic
16,588 posts, read 27,379,702 times
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As fontucky linked, it's that current. Generally speaking, ocean currents go around clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere. This means the water on western sides of continents will be cold. Eastern sides of continents usually have a warm current such as the Japan Current or the Gulf Stream thus producing warmer water.
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Old 07-18-2011, 09:33 AM
 
Location: Declezville, CA
16,806 posts, read 39,931,898 times
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I always found the cold water extra-refreshing on a hot Summer day. Who wants Gulf/Florida tepid bathwater when you're broiling?
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Old 07-18-2011, 10:29 AM
 
Location: Mountains of Oregon
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I used to surf fish along the California coast. I found the water most comfortable around San Diego.
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Old 07-18-2011, 10:33 AM
 
Location: SW MO
23,593 posts, read 37,466,118 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Surfer-Girl View Post
Why is the Pacific so cold around Los Angeles and San Diego? Especially when compared to Hawaii? I know Hawaii is farther south, but if the temperatures are in the 80's or something in LA, why is the water so much colder? I'd love to live there, but I couldn't handle such cold water.
Raised in SoCal and spent as much time in the water as was available. After a moment or so it was quite comfortable and refreshing except in the "dead" of winter. That's why they invented wetsuits!.
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Old 07-18-2011, 10:51 AM
 
Location: anywhere but Seattle
1,082 posts, read 2,560,929 times
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I used to surf in Norther California almost year round where 55f water temp is the norm. Wet suit technology has come a long way in the last decade. Can't wait to get back into it.
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Old 07-18-2011, 11:16 AM
 
Location: The High Seas
7,372 posts, read 16,009,038 times
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I put in a bunch of ice cubes early yesterday morning. Apologies!
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Old 07-18-2011, 11:24 AM
 
Location: Declezville, CA
16,806 posts, read 39,931,898 times
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Cold water does promote shrinkage. Of course, I don't have to worry about THAT.
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Old 07-18-2011, 11:30 AM
 
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
14,129 posts, read 31,243,410 times
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After a few minutes I really didn't notice it. It is warmer here on the East Coast but ironically the air temp is hotter and more humid so would probably prefer the water were colder.
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