Stay updated on the California tsunami warning. Learn which areas will be hit first and what time waves are expected to reach the coast. Tsunami waves may reach the Bay Area’s west coast by 12:30 a.m. on July 30 after a powerful 8.7 quake off Russia’s Pacific coast, NWS warned.
Officials upgraded alert for California’s North Coast, issuing a more severe “warning” in Humboldt and Del Norte counties, with the worst potential damage predicted in Crescent City, a historical tsunami hot spot.
As the first tsunami waves hit Hawaii late on Tuesday, several parts of California were put on alert for a ‘dangerous situation’. The tsunami is expected to strike the Golden State just after midnight, starting at Fort Bragg. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara are also under a tsunami warning.
The tsunami, triggered by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, is set to impact Fort Bragg as early as 11:50 PM PDT on Tuesday. This is followed by Monterey at 12:15 AM PDT Wednesday, and Port San Luis at 12:35 AM PDT. San Francisco is expected to see waves at 12:40 AM PDT, with Santa Barbara impacted at 12:45 AM PDT.
Further south, Los Angeles Harbor anticipates arrival at 1:00 AM PDT, while Newport Beach and La Jolla both face waves at 1:10 AM PDT, and Oceanside at 1:15 AM PDT. The timings are according to the National Weather Service’s latest press release.
Coastal highways, including Highway 1, may face closures, and officials advise avoiding beaches due to hazardous conditions. The tsunami warning, active since the 7:24 PM ET Tuesday quake, remains in effect.
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Amid the tsunami threat, here are the answers to some questions you may have:
When Could Tsunami Waves Hit The Bay Area
The NWS’ Tsunami Warning Center provided a timeline for when waves could start. It said that waves could start striking the Fort Bragg region in California around 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday.
Other areas along the west coast in California could see tsunami waves till late night, with La Jolla and Oceanside getting waves at 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday night.
Tsunami advisory issued for California after quake off Russia's coast; waves slam buildings in Siberia, Japan https://t.co/SkUERrVcRQ pic.twitter.com/nn0DcEIIjl
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) July 30, 2025
Areas Under Watch And Estimated Wave Arrival Times:
A tsunami advisory was issued for the entire West Coast on Tuesday afternoon, July 29. There is no guarantee that a tsunami will hit California, but in case it happens, here is when and where a possible tsunami could hit:
- Crescent City, California, 11:55 p.m. PDT. July 29.
- Monterey, California, 12:15 a.m. PDT. July 30.
- Port San Luis, California, 12:35 a.m. PDT. July 30.
- San Francisco, California, 12:40 a.m. PDT. July 30.
- Port Townsend, California, 12:45 a.m. PDT. July 30.
- Santa Barbara, California, 12:50 a.m. PDT. July 30.
- Los Angeles Harbor, California, 1:05 a.m. PDT. July 30.
- Newport Beach, California, 1:10 a.m. PDT. July 30.
- Oceanside, California, 1:15 a.m. PDT. July 30.
- La Jolla, California, 1:15 a.m. PDT. July 30.
Maximum height of potential tsunami waves in California:
Oceanside: Less than 1 foot
Fort Bragg: Between 0.8 to 1.4 feet
Crescent City: Between 2.9 to 5.4 feet
Monterey: Less than 1 foot
Port San Luis: Between 2.0 to 3.8 feet
San Francisco: Less than 1 foot
Santa Barbara: Between 0.7 to 1.3 ft
Los Angeles Harbor: Less than 1 foot
Newport Beach: Less than 1 foot
La Jolla: Less than 1 foot
What triggered the alert?
“Tsunami waves are now impacting the state of Hawaii,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a bulletin at 8:25 PM local time. The agency also issued a warning for a sparsely inhabited stretch of the northern California coast, raising it from the earlier advisory level.
Based on current projections, coastal cities such as Crescent City, Eureka, and Santa Barbara are expected to experience the first wave impacts. Local authorities are issuing real-time updates and evacuation advisories, so residents are urged to monitor official channels and follow all safety instructions.
Whether you’re inland or near the coast, awareness and swift action can save lives. Stay safe, stay alert, and share this information to help others prepare.
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