Garie Beach - Why is the water in Southern California beaches colder than at northeastern states beaches?

Why is the water in Southern California beaches colder than at northeastern states beaches?

Why is the water in Southern California beaches colder than at northeastern states beaches even though it is located further south?

You didn't go northeast far enough - plenty cold water in Maine. :-) Ocean currents circulate clockwise. As far north as Massachusetts the water off the coast is being delivered from tropical regions by the gulf stream. On the opposite coast, the same clockwise flow is bringing Alaskan water to southern California. Also, California has enough steady offshore breezes to push the warmer surface water out to sea causing an upwelling of colder water from the depths. Not sure I can explain why the east coast winds blow onshore more, but they do.