Lower Trestles
Lower Trestles is the world standard for high-performance surfing—a cobblestone point break in San Clemente that produces perfect, rippable waves with mechanical consistency. The wave has hosted more world championship events than any other spot, and the level in the water reflects it. A 20-minute walk from the parking lot keeps some crowds away, but Lowers is still often packed with some of the best surfers on Earth. California's high-performance mecca.
Today's Conditions
Location & Conditions
Tide Times
📊 Buoy ValidationValidated ✓
Santa Monica Bay
109 km away
Source: noaa
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (215°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 240°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 90°
- Best window
- morning
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 1.5m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
10/10
👥 Spring Break (Mar 14 – Mar 22) — expect extra crowds
Access: 20-minute walk from parking lot.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Sep
Secondary: Mar, Oct
Southern hemisphere groundswell season (Apr-Oct) is best.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
San Onofre
🏕️ Original surf camp • Mellow longboard • Old-school soul
Oceanside
🌊 Pier consistency • All-level access • Working-class waves
The Wedge
⚠️ Newport's beast • Jetty wedge chaos • Shore break fury
Huntington Beach
🇺🇸 Surf City USA • US Open home • California quintessential
Swami's
🕉️ Spiritual surf • Temple backdrop • Year-round quality
Black's Beach
🏔️ Scripps Canyon power • Cliff descent required • SoCal's heaviest