Mother Nature’s early Christmas present will be a series of high tides (6.6’ feet or more) from Dec. 21 to Dec. 24. Even higher tides will come on January 20 and 21. Check the interactive tide chart on the right side of this page; by clicking on the Day + button, you can advance to these dates and see when these tides will reach their peak. Remember, rain and low-pressure fronts can increase the height of these king tides so avoid driving or parking in areas subject to flooding.
Snap the Shore, See the Future
The California King Tides Project helps people visualize how sea level rise will impact their lives. They invite you to document “King Tides,” the highest high tides of today, by taking and sharing photos of the shoreline. King Tides images offer a living record of the changes to our coast and a glimpse of what our daily tides may look like in the future as a result of sea level rise.
Grab your smartphone to help the California King Tides Project visualize sea level rise. Learn more on The King Tides Project website.
Attend King Tides Events
A number of educational outings are scheduled in Marin and San Francisco to discover what extreme high tides can tell us about sea level rise. Here are four to choose from:
CHINA CAMP VILLAGE – KING TIDES!
San Rafael
December 15 @ 4:30PM
Presented by San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Friends of China Camp
In this evening talk, hear what scientists have learned so far and how they are learning more through research at China Camp. FOCC Members — Free. General Public — $5. registration is required.
A ROYAL WALK WITH THE KING TIDES
San Francisco County
December 22 @ 10AM or January 21 @ 10:30AM, rain or shine
Join Exploratorium and Port of San Francisco staff at Pier 3 (meet on the Bay side of the Seaside Restaurant) for a stroll along the waterfront to observe, photograph and discuss the King Tide. Learn what causes the tides, why we have King Tides at this time of year, and how to participate in the California King Tides Project. Free. For information, contact Lori Lambertson.
FLOODED WITH SCIENCE & SEAWATER
San Rafael
January 21 @ 11AM
Presented by San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Friends of China Camp
Celebrate winter with a beautiful short hike and lots of science at China Camp State Park. Join scientist and educator Sarah Ferner from San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to learn about the marsh, scientific research occurring there, and what king tides can teach us about sea level rise. Registration required.