Orange County tide guide for faster wave selection

San Onofre is a sprawling surf zone with cobblestone reefs, mellow points, and beachbreak peaks stretching from the power plant to Trail 6. Long rides and retro equipment define the vibe.

Churches is the northernmost peak in the San Onofre State Beach stretch, delivering faster, more performance-friendly waves than its neighbors. The cobblestone reef shapes punchy rights with plenty of face.

Lower Trestles is Southern California’s high-performance playground, delivering ruler-straight rights and playful lefts over a meticulously shaped cobblestone reef.

Upper Trestles sits just north of Lowers and offers a punchier, more sectiony wave with fewer surfers. It’s a great alternative when Lowers is maxed or overcrowded.

Huntington Pier is the surf city epicenter, offering punchy beachbreak peaks amplified by the pier pilings. Contests, night sessions, and photogenic sunsets are part of the daily routine.

Newport’s 56th Street jetty produces punchy, hollow waves when west swells stack up. The jetties sculpt peaks that favor advanced surfers ready for steep drops.

Seal Beach offers a mix of pier peaks and river-mouth sandbars that love combo swells. The quiet town vibe makes it a solid fallback when nearby zones are slammed.