NewsCalifornia Drought

Actions

Surge of desert surf parks stirs questions in dry California

Surf lagoons planned for Palm Springs
California Drought-Desert Surfing
Posted

(AP) — Hours from the California coast, surfers are hoping one of the next spots where they can catch a wave is in the hot, dry desert.

At least four large surf lagoons are proposed for the inland region around the desert city of Palm Springs.

Developers think the area is prime for a surf boom due to growing interest in the sport, a surge in tourism and so many die-hard surfers just a drive away. But critics say the proposals use too much water at a time when California faces a prolonged drought and officials are asking residents to conserve.



,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Friday

07/10/2026

Sunny

104° / 72°

0%

Saturday

07/11/2026

Partly Cloudy

104° / 77°

0%

Sunday

07/12/2026

Partly Cloudy

101° / 78°

0%

Monday

07/13/2026

Mostly Sunny

100° / 77°

6%

Tuesday

07/14/2026

Sunny

103° / 77°

0%

Wednesday

07/15/2026

Sunny

103° / 76°

0%

Thursday

07/16/2026

Mostly Sunny

102° / 76°

1%

Friday

07/17/2026

Sunny

102° / 77°

4%