What time should I surf for dawn patrol 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.

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 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 5 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

5:53 AM

First Light: 5:23 AM

Day length: 13h 50m

+1 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

5:53 AM

First light: 5:23 AM

Sunset

7:43 PM

Last light: 8:13 PM

Data from Lower Trestles· Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

7-day sun schedule showing sunrise, sunset, and day length
Day	Sunrise	Sunset	Day Length
Today(Today)	5:53 AM	7:43 PM	13h 50m
Tomorrow	5:52 AM	7:43 PM	13h 52m
Sat, May 16	5:51 AM	7:44 PM	13h 53m
Sun, May 17	5:50 AM	7:45 PM	13h 54m
Mon, May 18	5:50 AM	7:46 PM	13h 56m
Tue, May 19	5:49 AM	7:46 PM	13h 57m

Today(Today)

Sunrise

5:53 AM

Sunset

7:43 PM

Day Length

13h 50m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

5:52 AM

Sunset

7:43 PM

Day Length

13h 52m

Sat, May 16

Sunrise

5:51 AM

Sunset

7:44 PM

Day Length

13h 53m

Sun, May 17

Sunrise

5:50 AM

Sunset

7:45 PM

Day Length

13h 54m

Mon, May 18

Sunrise

5:50 AM

Sunset

7:46 PM

Day Length

13h 56m

Tue, May 19

Sunrise

5:49 AM

Sunset

7:46 PM

Day Length

13h 57m

Best dawn patrol spots in San Onofre

Featured Beaches

5 spots

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°).

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Featured Beaches(5)

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.

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

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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