Least crowded surf spots in San Onofre
San Onofre, California
Updated February 10, 2026 at 8:51 PM · Dialed recommendations refresh every 30 minutes based on tide, wind, and crowd telemetry from Quiver.
When San Onofre lineups stack up, knowing a backup changes everything. These 7 breaks range from tucked-away reef passes to underrated sandbars that stay empty even on weekend south pulses.
Top spot recommendations
Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.
Featured Beaches
7 spots
Church
Beginner friendlyNo description available.
Cottons
IntermediateNo description available.
Lower Trestles
IntermediateLower Trestles stands as California's proving ground for progressive surfing, rated 9/10 for wave quality.
Middles
Beginner friendlyNo description available.
San Onofre State Beach
Beginner friendlySan 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 friendlyNo description available.
Upper Trestles
IntermediateUpper Trestles offers high-performance cobblestone rights, rated 8/10, working best on west to northwest swells (240-315°, center 280°).
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What to focus on today
- Secondary peaks and tide windows that thin crowds
- Parking tricks and walk-in trails most visitors skip
- Forecast cues that trigger locals-only surges
- Nearby alternates when the primary target turns into a zoo
Session logging tips
Once you wrap the surf, drop a note in your Quiver journal with tide, board, and crowd observations. Over time you'll see crystal-clear patterns about when San Onofre rewards this type of session objective.
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