San Onofre is the birthplace of California surf culture—a mellow point break where surfers have gathered since the 1930s, establishing the beach-going, wave-riding lifestyle that would define a generation. Old Man's section provides gentle, forgiving waves perfect for longboarding, while the general atmosphere retains an old-school camaraderie that has become rare at most crowded California breaks. The summer south swells roll through with metronomic regularity, creating the kind of easy, accessible surfing that introduces beginners to the sport and keeps veterans returning for pure soul sessions.
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
2/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: San Onofre State Beach. Multiple areas: Old Man's, Dogpatch.
Forecasts are validated against real-time buoy data.
Peak: Jun-Sep
Secondary: May, Oct
Summer S swells best. Mellow longboard wave.
Verified by Surfline spot guide
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions