A “significant high surf event” on Sunday prompted warnings about dangers that didn’t deter the most dedicated surfers.
Meanwhile, last-minute holiday shoppers may have to cope with rain along with their procrastination.
Coastal flooding is expected early this week with the forecast listing the most dangerous conditions for Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
High tides between 4.0 and 5.0 feet are expected between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. each day, and could cause flooding beach roads, parking lots and other normally dry sandy areas of the coast.
Water, sand and debris were deposited on the east parking lot at Goleta Beach County Park during high tide early Sunday morning. Credit: Tom Bolton / Noozhawk photo 
A tractor is used to remove sand and debris from a parking lot at Goleta Beach on Sunday. Credit: Ryan Cullom / Noozhawk photo 
A beach-comber walks along the rocky shoreline at Goleta Beach on Sunday afternoon. Credit: Tom Bolton / Noozhawk photo 
A couple watches the high surf at Goleta Beach County Park on Sunday. Credit: Tom Bolton / Noozhawk photo 
People flock to East Beach in Santa Barbara on Sunday to check out the big surf. Credit: Ryan Cullom / Noozhawk photo 
A couple and their dog check out the big surf at East Beach in Santa Barbara on Sunday. Credit: Karl Sonkin photo
Water, sand and debris in the east parking lot greeted Goleta Beach visitors on Sunday.
A High Surf Advisory was issued encompassing Santa Barbara County’s southwestern beaches, and will remain in effect through 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet are expected for west-facing beaches, with the largest Monday night through Tuesday.
To the north, a high surf warning will remain in effect until noon Tuesday for beaches in northern Santa Barbara County and those in San Luis Obispo County.
Large breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet are expected through early Monday, then breakers of 18 to 25 feet Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning.
“Flooding of sea water is likely around the times of high tides, over vulnerable low-lying coastal areas such as parking lots, beaches, and walkways,” according to the high surf warning.
However, significant damage to roads or structures is not expected.
Very dangerous rip currents also are expected along the Central Coast area.
“Powerful waves and strong rip currents will pose an exceptional risk of ocean drowning and damage to coastal structures like piers and jetties. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore.”
Temperatures Monday, two days after the start of winter, will be warm, with some South Coast areas expected to be in the mid-70s and other parts of the county seeing temperatures in the upper 60s.
“Tuesday will be the most interesting day weather-wise in the short-term forecast,” according to the National Weather Service.
While last-minute holiday shoppers may have to deal with some light rain Tuesday, Christmas Day should be mostly sunny.
A surfer slides down a large wave at the Santa Barbara Harbor on Sunday. Credit: Mike Eliason photo 
A large wave surges past Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara on Sunday. Credit: Mike Eliason photo 
A surfer sizes up the conditions at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara on Sunday. Credit: Mike Eliason photo 
A surfer glides across a large wave at the Santa Barbara Harbor on Sunday. Credit: Mike Eliason photo
A weather system will bring rain chances Tuesday as far south as Los Angeles County, although rainfall amounts will be higher in the northern areas.
Rainfall amounts of ½ to 1 inches are expected across coastal San Luis Obispo County, then dropping off quickly to around ¼ of an inch in Santa Barbara County, although some south-facing mountains may see slightly higher totals.
The system will cause high temperatures to drop 5 to 10 degrees compared to Monday. Highs will be in the mid-60s to upper 50s, with lows in the upper 30s to around 40 degrees.
Click here for the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.