Sunset sessions in San Onofre

San Onofre, California

Sunset and golden hour times for planning your evening session.

After-work glass-offs in San Onofre can rival dawn patrol on good days. Afternoon thermals die, the crowd thins, and these 7 west-facing breaks catch the last clean sets of the day.

Sunset

7:09 PM
Golden Hour: 6:09 PM – 7:09 PM

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 sunset surf 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°).

Sunset session picks in San Onofre

West-facing beaches with golden hour potential and evening access.

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.

Beach facing
W-facing (270°)Golden hour
Evening 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.

Evening access

Direct beach parking available ($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°).

Evening access

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

Sunset session tips

  • West-facing beaches for stunning sunset views
  • Often cleaner afternoon conditions
  • Golden hour photography opportunities
  • After-work session favorites

Surf Guides for San Onofre

Conditions

Dawn Patrol
Best early morning sessions
Sunset Sessions
You're here
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

The best sunset sessions in San Onofre are at Church, Cottons, Lower Trestles. These spots offer stunning golden hour views while you ride.
Yes! Afternoon often brings cleaner conditions as morning onshore winds die down. Plus, the golden hour light and fewer crowds make for magical sessions.

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