King Tides in California: What We Saw, What They Mean, and How They Help Us Prepare for the Future
In early January 2026, communities along California’s coast and around San Francisco Bay experienced exceptionally high tides known as king tides. Some of these tides were among the highest seen in decades, leading to flooding in streets, parks, and public spaces. While disruptive, these events offered a clear, real-world preview of the kinds of coastal flooding that could become more common as sea levels continue to rise.
What Are King Tides?
King tides are naturally occurring, predictable high tides that happen when the Earth, moon, and sun align in a way that maximizes their combined gravitational pull on the ocean. These events typically occur a few times each year, often during the winter months, and can raise water levels well above an average high tide.
While “king tide” is not a formal scientific term, it is widely used to describe these very high tides, which can push water levels one to two feet, or more, above normal conditions. King tides themselves are not caused by climate change. However, when they occur on top of already rising sea levels, their impacts can be significantly amplified, especially when combined with storms, rainfall, or strong winds.
What We Saw During the Recent King Tides
During the early January king tides, parts of California experienced some of the highest water levels in more than 25 years, intensified by storm conditions that coincided with the tidal cycle.
As a result:
- In Marin County, tidal flooding overtopped low-lying roadways and impacted sections of Highway 37 and U.S. Highway 101, forcing lane closures and disrupting regional travel.
- Along San Francisco’s waterfront, king tides pushed seawater into public spaces such as the Embarcadero and Crissy Field, flooding walkways and stressing stormwater systems designed for lower water levels.
- In Eureka and other North Coast communities, high tides combined with rainfall to flood streets, parking areas, and waterfront infrastructure, highlighting vulnerabilities in older drainage systems.
- In Southern California, coastal communities experienced flooding in harbors, beach-adjacent roads, and low-lying neighborhoods, with seawater backing up through storm drains and temporarily limiting access to public spaces and critical infrastructure.
These events demonstrate how king tides, especially when paired with rain, wind, and rising baseline sea levels, can overwhelm drainage systems, flood transportation corridors, and disrupt essential infrastructure
Why King Tides Matter
King tides act as natural previews of future sea level rise. As oceans warm and expand, and as land-based ice continues to melt, the baseline sea level rises. This means the kinds of flooding we currently see only during king tides could become more regular high-tide conditions in the future.
The State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance: 2024 Science and Policy Update explains that even moderate global sea level rise will significantly increase the frequency and severity of high-tide flooding along the state’s coast. Flooding that may happen only once every few years today could become an annual or even daily occurrence in some communities by mid-century if coastlines are not prepared.
This is where the King Tides Project plays an important role. Led by the California Coastal Commission, the project invites community members to photograph and document king tide flooding across the state. These observations create a visual, place-based record of how high water already reaches during extreme tides.
By combining community-collected photos with scientific data, the King Tides Project helps:
- Illustrate future sea level rise impacts in ways that are easy to understand
- Validate scientific models and projections
- Inform local and regional planning efforts
- Support conversations about adaptation and resilience at the community level
Together, king tide observations and statewide sea level rise science help translate abstract projections into real-world impacts, giving communities valuable tools to plan for a changing coastline.
OPC’s Role in Preparing for Sea Level Rise
The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) plays a central role in coordinating statewide efforts to understand, plan for, and adapt to sea level rise and coastal flooding.
OPC led the development of the State of California Sea Level Rise Guidance: 2024 Science and Policy Update, which provides the best available science on how much sea levels are projected to rise and what that means for coastal flooding risk. This guidance helps local governments and planners incorporate sea level rise into infrastructure design, hazard assessments, and long-term resilience planning.
In December 2025, OPC also adopted its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, which identifies climate resilience as one of four strategic goals, prioritizing science-based planning to address sea level rise, coastal flooding, and other climate-driven impacts.
Supporting Local Action Through SB 1 Grants
To help communities plan for and respond to sea level rise, OPC administers the Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program. This program provides funding for both early-stage planning and on-the-ground implementation of adaptation projects.
Across California, SB 1-funded efforts are supporting vulnerability assessments, sea level rise adaptation plans, and regional resilience strategies. These investments help communities better understand their risks and move from planning to action, with solutions tailored to local conditions and needs.
Looking Ahead
King tides offer a visual reminder of how rising seas will interact with our coastlines, infrastructure, and communities. By connecting real-world observations with science, planning, and targeted investments, California is strengthening its ability to prepare for a future where higher seas are part of everyday life.
As more communities document king tides and use tools like California’s Sea Level Rise Guidance and SB 1 grants, the state is working to protect people, ecosystems, and coastal economies, helping ensure California’s coast remains vibrant and accessible for generations to come.