Dawn patrol surfing in San Onofre

San Onofre, California

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

First light in San Onofre means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 7 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 Church · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

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

7:10 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 34m

Best dawn patrol spots in San Onofre

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Featured Beaches(7)

Church

Beginner friendly

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

Cottons

Intermediate

Cottons is a point break in San Onofre, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.

Lower Trestles

Intermediate

Lower Trestles stands as California's proving ground for progressive surfing, rated 9/10 for wave quality.

Middles

Beginner friendly

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

San Onofre State Beach

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.

Trails

Beginner friendly

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

Upper Trestles

Intermediate

Upper Trestles offers high-performance cobblestone rights, rated 8/10, working best on west to northwest swells (240-315°, center 280°).

Dawn patrol access guide for San Onofre

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

Church
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.5(16)

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

Cottons
point
intermediate
3.8(16)

Cottons is a point break in San Onofre, CA. It is best suited for intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, sea urchins, pollution.

Lower Trestles
reef
intermediate
4.2(11)

**Lower Trestles** stands as California's proving ground for progressive surfing, rated 9/10 for wave quality.

Early access

1.5-mile hike from parking, creating natural crowd filter

Middles
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.9(15)

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

San Onofre State Beach
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.6(21)

**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)

Trails
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.9(15)

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

Upper Trestles
point
intermediate
3.9(17)

**Upper Trestles** offers high-performance cobblestone rights, rated 8/10, working best on west to northwest swells (240-315°, center 280°).

Early access

10–15 min walk/bike; pack water, light leash

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 Onofre

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 Onofre

Dawn patrol in San Onofre 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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