What's the best tide for surfing in San Onofre?

Tide preferences vary by spot in San Onofre. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.

How do tides affect surfing conditions in San Onofre?

Tides significantly impact surf conditions in San Onofre. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.

Where can I check tide charts for San Onofre?

You can check tide charts for San Onofre on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.

Tide conditions for San Onofre surf spots

San Onofre, California

Updated Refreshed hourly · Tide data refreshes every 30 minutes from NOAA stations.

A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in San Onofre. These 7 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.

Current Tide

2.5ft

Falling

Next Low

02:00 AM

2.1 ft

NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data

Tide Chart

7-Day Tide Schedule

7-day tide schedule showing high and low tides
Day	High 1	Low 1	High 2	Low 2
Today	--	11:00 PM(3.1 ft)	--	--
Tomorrow	4:00 AM(4.2 ft)	1:00 PM(0.5 ft)	8:00 PM(3.0 ft)	11:00 PM(2.7 ft)
Thu, Feb 12	5:00 AM(4.5 ft)	1:00 PM(-0.1 ft)	8:00 PM(3.2 ft)	--
Fri, Feb 13	6:00 AM(4.9 ft)	12:00 AM(2.5 ft)	8:00 PM(3.4 ft)	2:00 PM(-0.1 ft)
Sat, Feb 14	7:00 AM(5.0 ft)	12:00 AM(2.3 ft)	8:00 PM(3.4 ft)	2:00 PM(-0.7 ft)
Sun, Feb 15	7:00 AM(5.4 ft)	1:00 AM(1.8 ft)	9:00 PM(3.7 ft)	2:00 PM(-0.5 ft)
Mon, Feb 16	8:00 AM(5.5 ft)	2:00 AM(1.6 ft)	9:00 PM(4.1 ft)	3:00 PM(-0.8 ft)

Today

11:00 PM (3.1 ft)

Tomorrow

4:00 AM (4.2 ft)

8:00 PM (3.0 ft)

1:00 PM (0.5 ft)

11:00 PM (2.7 ft)

Thu, Feb 12

5:00 AM (4.5 ft)

8:00 PM (3.2 ft)

1:00 PM (-0.1 ft)

Fri, Feb 13

6:00 AM (4.9 ft)

8:00 PM (3.4 ft)

12:00 AM (2.5 ft)

2:00 PM (-0.1 ft)

Sat, Feb 14

7:00 AM (5.0 ft)

8:00 PM (3.4 ft)

12:00 AM (2.3 ft)

2:00 PM (-0.7 ft)

Sun, Feb 15

7:00 AM (5.4 ft)

9:00 PM (3.7 ft)

1:00 AM (1.8 ft)

2:00 PM (-0.5 ft)

Mon, Feb 16

8:00 AM (5.5 ft)

9:00 PM (4.1 ft)

2:00 AM (1.6 ft)

3:00 PM (-0.8 ft)

Beach Tide Preferences

Each beach performs best at a specific tide range and direction. Plan your session around these windows.

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 friendly

No description available.

Cottons

Intermediate

No description available.

Lower Trestles

Intermediate

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

Middles

Beginner friendly

No description available.

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

No description available.

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(7)

What to focus on today

Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset

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