October 8, 2026

Rachel Turns North: Update for Ensenada and Southern California Friends

Good morning from Puerto Vallarta. Friedman Adventures is sitting right in the middle of two systems right now. Tropical Storm Simon is building off the southwestern Mexican coast near us, and Tropical Storm Rachel is out west getting ready to turn back toward northern Baja and Southern California.

Rachel was just downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm. As of the latest advisory she’s packing about 70 mph winds and is still well offshore, but the forecast has her making a sharp turn to the northeast over the next day or so and accelerating toward extreme northern Baja California and Southern California this weekend. She’s expected to approach that stretch of coast at or near tropical storm strength before weakening further, possibly becoming post-tropical around the time she crosses the peninsula.

For my friends in Ensenada and everyone up and down the northern Baja coast, that means the potential for strong winds, periods of heavy rain, and an elevated risk of flash and urban flooding as the moisture moves in. Southern California is looking at a similar setup — gusty winds, increased rain chances (especially Sunday into Monday), and building swells that are already creating dangerous surf and rip current conditions. Coastal flooding is also a concern with the high tides and the extra swell energy.

I want to be clear about the rocks and jetties. When these swells start building, fishing the rocks or jetties can turn dangerous in a hurry. Waves can wash over spots that looked fine earlier, and the current can be unpredictable. Please stay off the rocks if the water is rising or the swell is up. It’s not worth it.

We’re flying back to Los Angeles on Friday, so the timing looks pretty good on our end, but I’m thinking of all the folks in Ensenada who have become family over the years. We’re hoping and praying everyone stays safe — boats, homes, and the people we care about.

Check the latest from the National Hurricane Center and local forecasts, and keep an eye on marine conditions. Small craft advisories could go up as the seas and winds increase closer to the weekend, especially with the swell building. For the latest fishing reports, Captain’s audios, bait updates, and more, check http://friedmanadventures.com. And mark your calendars — our next Friedman Adventures Surf Fishing Festival is Saturday, October 24 at Sunset Beach.

Stay safe out there, Friedman Adventures family.

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