Lower Trestles—often simply called Lowers—is one of the most iconic high-performance waves in the world. Nestled at the edge of San Onofre State Beach and accessible only by foot or bike, Lowers offers a near-perfect canvas for shortboarders, drawing elite surfers from across the globe. It's a staple of the pro tour and a proving ground for local talent.
🏄 The Break
Lowers is a cobblestone reef break known for its clean, rippable walls, ideal for progressive surfing. It features both lefts and rights, with near-mechanical consistency during the right swell windows.
- Wave Type: Cobblestone reef
- Bottom: Rounded cobblestones
- Wave Shape: Long, playful walls with ramps for turns and airs
- Best for: High-performance shortboarding
- Left: Steeper, faster, and hollower—good for barrels and vertical snaps
- Right: Longer, more forgiving, excellent for drawn-out turns and combos
📅 Season and Conditions
- Season: Lowers works year-round, but late spring through fall is prime time, thanks to strong south and southwest swells. Winter NW swells can also light it up, especially with combo energy.
- Tide: Medium tide rising is ideal—too high can fatten it out, too low and it can get shallow and sectiony.
- Wind: Light offshore mornings are standard, with onshores often developing by midday.
- Swell Direction: Best on S, SW, and combo swells—a solid combo swell lights up both directions and makes for all-day surf sessions
🤙 Crowd Dynamics
Lowers is not for the faint of heart when it comes to crowds. It’s home turf for many of Southern California’s best surfers and frequented by traveling pros and groms with something to prove.
- Very crowded, especially when it's good
- Highly competitive—expect packs of rippers and deep takeoff battles
- Good etiquette and assertiveness required
- Midweek dawn patrols offer your best shot at a little space
📍 Summary
Lower Trestles is a world-class wave that lives up to the hype—perfectly shaped walls, consistent swell exposure, and the kind of surf that rewards speed, flow, and creativity. If you’ve got the skill and patience to navigate the crowd, Lowers will deliver the kind of session you'll never forget. It’s a must-surf spot for any serious surfer visiting Southern California.