Sep 21 2008
Sunday Spot Check: Trestles
Hey guys, the Sunday Spot Check is a new feature here at the OC Beach Scene in which I will be looking at a different Orange County beach each week. Expect some interesting choices, as well as some great local tips that you won’t find anywhere else. In anticipation of tomorrow’s toll road hearing, I have decided to kick off the Sunday Spot Check with a review of Trestles, one of the beaches threatened by the proposed toll road extension, and a great destination for both surfers and nature lovers alike.
Although Trestles is technically located on the northern tip of San Diego County, it has long served as a proving ground for young San Clemente surfers and is fiercely claimed as an Orange County spot by locals. Named for the train trestles that line the beach along this otherwise untouched stretch of coast, Trestles is actually a series of pointbreaks, all of which are blessed with extremely good, occasionally epic surf.
After making the trek down the trail to the beach, the first spot you see is Uppers, a long, rippable right (and occasional left) that works on both north and south swells. On a crisp Fall morning, when the offshores are blowing and a good-sized NW swell is filling in, Uppers can be absolutely magical. However, don’t plan on getting in a good session at Uppers alone. When its on, Uppers is one of the best waves in Southern California–and everybody knows it.
To get to Lowers, simply take a short walk down the beach. You know you’re there when you see the crowd of 50 frothing surfers, each eager to leave their mark on one of the perfect 100-yard rights or lefts that the break has to offer. While Lowers is often (read: always) crowded, many see it as a small price to pay in order to surf what is arguably one of the best, if not the best wave in California. On a good south swell, expect to see plenty of cameramen on the beach, a lineup clogged with boards covered in carefully-placed stickers, and at least a few of your idols from the pages of Surfer Magazine.
Getting there: From Orange County, take the 5 South to the Cristianitos exit, take your first left (away from the beach), and try to find parking in the lot full of surf rack-mounted cars. The trail down to the beach is just across the bridge on your left.
Local tip: You may want to bring a skateboard or a bike with you, as the trail is quite long, and can make for an exhausting walk on hot summer days.
