Frontside

Lower Trestles surf forecast

San Clemente, California

Lower Trestles is chest to head high but poor today. Nothing nearby is doing much better.

PoorToday, slot by slot
6am8am10amNoon2pm4pm6pm
Compare every spot near youSee which one is actually worth the drive

The nearest breaks today, best first

1
Cottons3.6ft–3.9ft
1.3 km5kn offshore
Poor · best 6am–8am
2
Upper Trestles3.6ft–3.9ft
0.7 km5kn offshore
Poor · best 6am–8am
3
Middles3.6ft–3.9ft
0.5 km5kn offshore
Poor · best 6am–8am
4
Church3.6ft–3.9ft
0.9 km5kn offshore
Poor · best 6am–8am
5
San Onofre State Beach3.6ft–3.9ft
2.3 km4kn offshore
Poor · best 6am–8am

About this spot

Open inMapsWaze
SW
Faces
SW
Swell
N/NE
Offshore
1.6ft-9.8ft
Works at

Worth knowing

Watch for crowds, long walk in, cobblestones.

Best from April to October for south swell.

A mile walk or cycle from the San Onofre trailhead.

Common questions

Is Trestles worth the walk?

On a south swell, yes - it is the best high-performance wave in California, a perfect cobblestone A-frame. On a winter north-west swell the piers and reefs usually beat it.

How do I get to Lower Trestles?

Park at the San Onofre trailhead off Cristianitos Road and walk or cycle the mile-long trail down to the beach. There is no closer access.

What swell does Trestles need?

South or south-west, from June to October. It also takes a west swell in winter but lines up best on summer south.

Is Trestles crowded?

Always, on a swell - it is one of the most crowded waves in the state. Dawn, and Uppers or Middles either side, thin it a little.

Forecast generated 19 September at 09:08 UTC. Open-Meteo marine forecast (EWAM/GFS Wave), scored with Frontside's model.

Description last checked 2026-09-18.