Lower Trestles Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
S, SW
Wind
E, NE
Surf Height
Shoulder high to double overhead.
Tide
Medium-low to medium-high
Lower Trestles Surf Guide
Offering forgivably rippable walls going either way, Lower Trestles only closes out on the rarest of swells.If there's a sniff of south swell in the water, Lowers will welcome it with open arms. But if there's a puff of south wind, Lowers will shut down quicker than 5:00pm on Wall Street.Don't expect to score Lowers uncrowded either (even on full moon nights). Watch any set roll through and you'll see two (or more) surfers taking off in either direction, which often makes things frustrating for even the biggest name pro surfers. But if you manage to wrangle one to yourself, hold on because you're in for one of the best rides Southern California can offer.
LOCAL RESOURCES:
South OC Surfrider
| Bring Back Our Beaches | San Clemente Boardriders Club
LINEUP TIPS:
Etiquette | Surf Safety Basics
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Average to above average.
Local Vibe
Intimidating
Hungry, aggressive, competitive, but mostly cordial.
Crowd Factor
Heavy
Lowers is a zoo, sometimes crowded even at night.
Spot Rating
Perfect
The bar for rippable cobblestone peaks worldwide.
Shoulder Burn
Exhausting
If the paddle back after a long right doesn't get your shoulders burning, jockeying for the next good set wave will. Considerably less work for the left.
Water Quality
Fair
Typically ok but brutal after a big rain storm.
Hazards
Car rip-offs, beach backpack rip-offs, getting caught by a speeding train on the trestle. (Very occasionally rattlesnakes on the trails after a rain.)
Bring Your
Shortboard, Fish
Access
San Onofre State Park; or walk, run, crawl, roll, bike, e-bike, skate, back flip down the trail after parking off the Cristianitos exit.
Bottom
Sand, rivermouth rock.
Best Season
Best March-October, but it works year-round.
Do you have local knowledge about Lower Trestles?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]