Alongshore geostrophic wind stresses (AWS) were used as an index of wind-induced coastal upwelling/downwelling for eight coastal stations from Baja California to Alaska for 1899-1988. For winters since around 1940, downwelling has intensified along Alaska and northern British Columbia, while upwelling has increased along Baja California. El Nino events induced strong winter coastal downwelling poleward of 40°N. During summer, upwelling has increased since around 1940 along southern British Columbia to Baja California, while from 1899 to 1940, upwelling declined along southern California to Baja California.