In San Rafael’s bowl-shaped Canal neighborhood, makeshift levees of plywood and concrete are already struggling to hold back the sea, a situation that highlights a stark warning about the future of the Bay Area coastline amid rising sea levels.
“This is a signal for the future,” said Dalton Behringer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office. “If you’re experiencing flooding now, it certainly won’t get any better.”
While some coastal communities have erected robust flood protections, the Canal neighborhood’s ad-hoc barriers and pumps are already overwhelmed during high tides, according to Carly Finkle, a senior policy manager with the nonprofit Canal Alliance.
“Water will overtop and flow onto the streets in a couple of different areas,” Finkle said, noting that the floodwaters often impact residents’ cars and access to their homes.
To demonstrate the precarious situation, Canal Alliance, the City of San Rafael, and other local groups are hosting a public tour on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Finkle said the event is an important opportunity for the public to witness how vulnerable the area’s “informal infrastructure” is. While these flimsy barriers may prevent catastrophic flooding for now, seeing them firsthand reveals the community’s exposure.
A second round of king tides is expected in early January.
Tide Forecast and Flood Risk
National Weather Service forecasters predict that water in low-lying areas around San Francisco could rise more than a foot above ground level. High surf could exacerbate the flooding, with the highest risk anticipated on Thursday and Friday mornings.
For precise high and low tide schedules, the public can use the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s online tide prediction tool or other websites like tideforecast.com.
San Francisco High Tides:
- Tuesday at 8:24 a.m.
- Wednesday at 9:04 a.m.
- Thursday at 9:48 a.m.
- Friday at 10:35 a.m.
- Saturday at 11:25 a.m.
- Sunday at 12:17 a.m.
San Francisco Low Tides:
- Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.
- Wednesday at 4:02 p.m.
- Thursday at 4:50 p.m.
- Friday at 5:40 p.m.
- Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday at 8:12 p.m.
Safety at the Water’s Edge
Coastal experts urge caution for anyone visiting the shoreline. During high tides, visitors should be mindful of where they park to avoid vehicle flooding. For low-tide exploration, experts recommend waterproof, non-slip shoes, a headlamp, and using the buddy system.
A representative from the Monterey Bay Aquarium advised visitors to always watch for large waves, especially since the lowest tides occur around dusk. “Watch for big waves and watch where you step, not only for the slippery factor of the rocks, but also because there might be animals hidden underneath things,” the official said, adding that tides can rise surprisingly fast.
Exploring tide pools after dark also offers a bonus: “Sometimes different animals hang out in the tide pools at night versus during the daytime.”
The guiding principle for all coastal visitors should be to “take only pictures, take memories with you, and leave only footprints.”
Where to See the Tides
Numerous official events and tours are scheduled throughout the Bay Area.
Thursday, Dec. 4
- San Francisco: After Dark: Royal Tides at the Exploratorium, Pier 15, from 6-10 p.m. The event will explore how king tides foreshadow a future with climate change and how communities are responding to sea-level rise.
Friday, Dec. 5
- Pescadero: King Tides and Marsh Trails at Pescadero State Beach, 9 a.m. at the Central Pescadero Beach Access Parking Lot. Organizers will discuss coastal resilience before a guided walk into the marsh.
Saturday, Dec. 6
- San Rafael: High Tide Day at 711 Grand Avenue, from 9 a.m. to noon. The City of San Rafael and partner organizations will provide community science kits to explore how high tides affect the waterfront.
- San Rafael: King Tides in China Camp at China Camp State Park, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friends of China Camp will host an event at the Turtle Back Trailhead to discuss what extreme high tides reveal about future sea-level rise.
- Alameda: King Tide at the Cove at the Doug Siden Visitor Center, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A watch party hosted by the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee and the East Bay Regional Parks District.
- Palo Alto: King Tides Walk at the EcoCenter, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event includes a science talk about tides and a walk through the Baylands.
- Alviso and Menlo Park: December 2025 King Tides at Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso, from noon to 1 p.m. The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society will lead a free guided walk. A similar event will be held at the Menlo Park location.
- Pescadero: King Tides and Marsh Trails at Pescadero State Beach, 9:30 a.m. at the Central Pescadero Beach Access Parking Lot. Organizers will discuss coastal resilience before a trail walk.
