Weather officials forecast ‘high to potentially damaging’ surf, coastal flooding ahead of holidays 

“High to potentially damaging” surf and coastal flooding are in store for Southern California as the holidays approach. 

The National Weather Service forecasts peak surf heights at west and northwest facing beaches in Ventura County to reach 18 feet, while in L.A. and southern Santa Barbara counties, swells could reach up to 12 feet. 

Further north, peak surf heights in the Central Coast could reach as high as 25 feet, NWS said. 

“Surf heights are expected to peak Monday into Tuesday morning where there is an increased risk of damaging surf and coastal flooding of beach roadways and parking lots for the Central and Ventura coasts,” weather officials stated. “This will cause dangerous conditions for boaters near shore and around exposed harbor entrances.” 

KTLA 5's Omar Lewis was live at the Manhattan Beach Pier on Sunday morning, where large waves were seen bashing against the base of the pier, sending water over the handrails on the platform and likely getting some beachgoers wet.

And while a few brave souls were seen in the water trying to catch a wave, most others said they preferred to stay dry.

"I wouldn't be able to attempt that...not even at the ankle level," said Donna Stephens, who was visiting Manhattan Beach on Sunday. "There would be no way...someone would have to come rescue me."

"I'm always happy to look at the [high surf], but from the pier," another visitor, Maroun Aboutanos, told KTLA Sunday morning.

Temperatures for most of SoCal will remain around normal for this time of year -- except in interior areas, where temperatures will be "well above" normal -- as a stronger storm system brings light rainfall to the region just before Christmas and the start of Hanukkah.