Capistrano Beach, Seal Beach flood as high tide, big surf combine at the coast

King tides and a big swell hit the Southern California coastline on Friday, Nov. 7, combining to cause flooding in some areas.

At Capistrano Beach, the parking lot was closed as the water poured over rocks and k-rails when high tide hit around 9:20 a.m. — an extreme high tide of about 7 feet that coincided with a strong northwest swell that brought 6- to 8-foot waves at some beaches.

Spectators stopped to take photos, bicyclists and walkers carefully navigated the beach trail littered with rocks and mud, while county workers scooped up the pebbles and larger boulders tossed into the beachfront parking lot by the ocean.

Longtime resident Bill Johnson, of Dana Point, thought he was clear of the ocean’s threat by standing up on a planter taking photos of the big waves making a dramatic show, only to be soaked as a set wave jacked up to send a shocking saltwater shower.

“I love to watch Mother Nature do her thing,” he said, chuckling at the surprise soak. “I can’t believe it, I thought I was safe. You never know.”

In Seal Beach, workers built up a large sand berm, but the ocean water still made its way up to a beach boardwalk, another trouble area that can experience flooding during big swells and high tides.

Workers continued clean-up efforts and constructing the berm throughout the day, and the city was offering sandbags to residents to prepare for flood events.

The swell is expected to drop on Saturday, and the tides are expected to ease through the weekend.

The next king tides are expected on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, then again on Jan. 2 and 3.