What time should I surf for dawn patrol in San Clemente?

Dawn patrol in San Clemente typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.

Why is dawn patrol the best time to surf?

Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

Dawn patrol surfing in San Clemente

San Clemente, California

Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.

First light in San Clemente means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 6 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

6:43 AM

First Light: 6:13 AM

Day length: 12h 26m

+2 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

6:43 AM

First light: 6:13 AM

Sunset

7:09 PM

Last light: 7:39 PM

Data from 204s · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

7-day sun schedule showing sunrise, sunset, and day length
Day	Sunrise	Sunset	Day Length
Today(Today)	6:43 AM	7:09 PM	12h 26m
Tomorrow	6:41 AM	7:10 PM	12h 28m
Wed, Apr 1	6:40 AM	7:11 PM	12h 30m
Thu, Apr 2	6:39 AM	7:11 PM	12h 32m
Fri, Apr 3	6:37 AM	7:12 PM	12h 35m

Today(Today)

Sunrise

6:43 AM

Sunset

7:09 PM

Day Length

12h 26m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

6:41 AM

Sunset

7:10 PM

Day Length

12h 28m

Wed, Apr 1

Sunrise

6:40 AM

Sunset

7:11 PM

Day Length

12h 30m

Thu, Apr 2

Sunrise

6:39 AM

Sunset

7:11 PM

Day Length

12h 32m

Fri, Apr 3

Sunrise

6:37 AM

Sunset

7:12 PM

Day Length

12h 35m

Best dawn patrol spots in San Clemente

Featured Beaches

6 spots

204s

Beginner friendly

204s is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Old Man's (SanO)

Beginner friendly

San Onofre State Beach represents California's surf culture birthplace, the "Waikiki of California" with gentle longboard waves rated 6/10 for consistency but 4/10 for performance.

Poche Beach

Beginner friendly

Poche Beach is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

San Clemente Pier, Northside

Advanced

San Clemente Pier, Northside is a jetty break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

San Clemente State Beach

Beginner friendly

San Clemente State Beach is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

T-Street

Beginner friendly

T-Street (Trafalgar Canyon) provides year-round consistency rated 7/10, working on any tide with southwest swells (160-250°, center 215°).

Loading map...

Featured Beaches(6)

204s

Beginner friendly

204s is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Old Man's (SanO)

Beginner friendly

San Onofre State Beach represents California's surf culture birthplace, the "Waikiki of California" with gentle longboard waves rated 6/10 for consistency but 4/10 for performance.

Poche Beach

Beginner friendly

Poche Beach is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

San Clemente Pier, Northside

Advanced

San Clemente Pier, Northside is a jetty break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

San Clemente State Beach

Beginner friendly

San Clemente State Beach is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

T-Street

Beginner friendly

T-Street (Trafalgar Canyon) provides year-round consistency rated 7/10, working on any tide with southwest swells (160-250°, center 215°).

Dawn patrol access guide for San Clemente

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

204s

beach

beginner-intermediate

3.6(15)

204s is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Old Man's (SanO)

beach

beginner

3.0(1)

**San Onofre State Beach** represents California's surf culture birthplace, the "Waikiki of California" with gentle longboard waves rated 6/10 for consistency but 4/10 for performance.

Early access

Direct beach parking available ($15 day pass)

Parking

$15 day pass)

Poche Beach

beach

beginner-intermediate

3.7(15)

Poche Beach is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

San Clemente Pier, Northside

jetty

intermediate-advanced

4.2(18)

San Clemente Pier, Northside is a jetty break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

San Clemente State Beach

beach

beginner-intermediate

3.6(17)

San Clemente State Beach is a beach break in San Clemente, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

T-Street

beach

beginner-intermediate

3.8(17)

**T-Street** (Trafalgar Canyon) provides year-round consistency rated 7/10, working on any tide with southwest swells (160-250°, center 215°).

Dawn patrol tips

Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
Less crowded lineups at sunrise
East-facing beaches for sunrise views
Spots with easy parking for early arrivals

Surf Guides for San Clemente

Conditions

Dawn Patrol

You're here

Sunset Sessions

Evening golden hour spots

Tide Windows

Optimal tidal conditions

Water Temperature

Conditions & wetsuit guide

Style

Beginner Spots

Gentle waves for learning

Longboard Spots

Mellow waves for logging

Less Crowded

Quieter lineups & backups

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in San Clemente

: Dawn patrol in San Clemente typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
: Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

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