Shop our Holiday Fundraiser

Each package is one of a kind and contains items donated to us by our generous sponsors and local artisans. Here’s a sampling of the businesses who partner with us – be sure to shop their stores this holiday season!

Pacific Coast Grill | Island Boat San Diego | Bobby Riggs | Burns Carvings | Slow Tide | Legends Nail Salon | Natura European Spa | Cal Coast Adventures Solana beach | Pacific Coast Grill | Salon Helene | Salt Culture | Tassy Massage | Travis Mathews | Cali Life Photography | World Wide Golf | Sushi Lounge

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What is the King Tide Challenge?

The King Tide Challenge is an annual 11-mile beach walk that is hosted by the King Tide Challenge Foundation, a nonprofit corporation with a singular mission to raise money for skin cancer research at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.

How much does it cost?

The walk is free, but we do ask for a donation from each walker – in any amount – which will be given entirely to Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.. Visit our Skin Cancer tab above to learn more about our passion and the research lab run by Dr. Daniels.

Is there an after-walk celebration?

Yes, and you won’t want to miss it! The After Party begins at the end of your walk at the Cardiff Beach Bar At Tower 13 . We’ll have food & cold drinks to purchase, a silent auction, and live music. Due to limited seating, only participants who have donated to the The King Tide Challenge Foundation (in support of Moores Cancer Center) will be invited to the after-party. If you would like to donate, or add to your original donation, please visit our Register / Donate page.

Are you up for the 2026 Challenge?

Enjoy walking 11 miles of pristine California coastline, most of it wild and protected by difficult access, all of it filled with beauty and awe… be prepared to help with beach cleanup by picking up trash along the way!

What: A beach walk to benefit Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.

Date: January 3, 2026

Time: TBD

Start: La Jolla, California (precise location coming soon)

Finish: Cardiff Beach Bar @ Tower 13

The Route

The walk begins near La Jolla Shores, and then continues northward through Black’s Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, Del Mar, Solana Beach, and finishes in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, at Tower 13 Beach Bar, a good place to rest and refresh (bring cash or a credit card).

What is a King Tide?

King tides are the highest and lowest tides of the year. During a low king tide, the beach opens up allowing walkers to get around areas that are normally submerged. When the King Tide happens at night, or in the middle of the week, we schedule our event during a mid day super low tide. You will see and experience our local beaches like you never have!

How to Participate

• Register here.
• Start walking – a lot! – to prepare for 4-6 hours on hard wet sand and exposed jagged reef;
• Walk necessities:
  – day pack
  – food & water
  – cell phone (with map downloaded to show restroom locations)
  – hat + sunscreen (the sun will be on your back – beware neck and legs!)
  – sturdy sneakers with support
  – flashlight or headlamp (in case you finish after dark)
  – large ziploc bag for trash pickup
  – money (for your celebratory refreshments at Tower 13 and other event swag).

THANK YOU to our generous sponsors

Help us support these business and give them a high five for joining our King Tide Challenge community….

Sunbum | Hansen Surfboards | Pacific Coast Grill | Artist Kevin Anderson | Cal Coast Adventure | Brigantine Restaurant | Salon Helene | Artist David Meza | Salt Culture | Tassy Hennessy, LAc-Acupuncture Orthopedics & Metabolic Medicine | Artist Mike Leyva | Natura Spa | Legends Nail Salon | Keith Jain, National Pickleball League player | Jennifer Dawson, National Pickleball League player | Artist Zig Wharton | VYRTU Pilates | Soulful Sound Bath | Braincare Performance Center | The Cali Life Photography | Pure Infrared Sauna | Bike Medic Plus | Artist Sharon Belknap | Harvest Ranch Market | Las Olas | Ki’s Restaurant | Breakers Cafe | World Wide Gold | Culture Brewing | Best Pizza Cardiff | Cardiff Tiny Farm | Kinga Pour Art | Carlos Garcia Detail | Shelter Tequila | Sushi Lounge Encinitas |

And a huge thank you to the hundreds of individual donations received this season!

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A look back at the 2025 King Tide Challenge…

The 2025 KTC was a HUGE success! Together, we donated a record amount to Moore’s Cancer Center!

We are deeply grateful to each and every one of you who contributed to the King Tide Challenge. Your generosity has made an extraordinary impact. Thanks to your support, we were able to donate an incredible $46,773 to UCSD Moores Cancer Center. This contribution will help fund critical research and provide essential resources to those battling cancer. Your compassion and commitment to this cause are truly inspiring, and we could not have reached this milestone without your kindness.