CALIFORNIA / TrestlesSPOT / 392

Cottons.

The northern chapter.

Left & right33.387° N / 117.599° W

Color satellite and aerial imagery centered on the approximate Cottons catalogue location — Satellite / aerial view · centred on the approximate catalogue pin. Not live imagery.
Powered by Esri · Esri, Vantor, Earthstar Geographics, and the GIS User Community.

Approximate catalogue pin · check the actual shoreline. © OpenStreetMap contributors

Open Cottons on the map ↗Best surf near me

Forecast & tide at a glance

Estimated surf face · feet · Pacific time. The existing PureSurfers face-estimation engine; not a measured or calibrated breaking-wave report.

Estimated surf face2.0 ftOlder cached forecast Wed Nov 11, 6:00pm Pacific

Coastal wind4.7 mphN from · older cache

NOAA tide reference0.2 ftMLLW · La Jolla

READ THE INDIVIDUAL SWELLS

Swell by swell.

Offshore component height (Hs), not surf-face height. Directions are where waves come from. Component heights do not add together.

Wed Nov 11, 6:00pm Pacific

GFS · 4 components

Primary swell

1.2ft Hs

SSW from · 207° · 14.5 s

1.2 feet

Wind sea

0.7ft Hs

WNW from · 291° · 2.2 s

0.7 feet

Secondary swell

1.2ft Hs

W from · 280° · 12.9 s

1.2 feet

Tertiary swell

0.4ft Hs

S from · 183° · 10.5 s

0.4 feet

MFWAM · 2 components

Primary swell

2.2ft Hs

W from · 278° · 9.5 s

2.2 feet

Wind sea

0.1ft Hs

WNW from · 303° · 1.1 s

0.1 feet

Each model supplies its own partitions. Missing components remain unavailable; another model’s primary swell is not automatically the same wave system.

Coastal wind retrieved Wed Nov 11, 3:48pm · older cache. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.

Source retrievals: GFS Nov 11, 4:04pm (older cache) · ECMWF Nov 11, 4:04pm (older cache) · MFWAM Nov 11, 4:04pm (older cache). Retrieval time is not the model issue time. This page combines all available cached model families; map model selections are separate.

Tide predictions: La Jolla, 66 km reference; retrieved Wed Nov 11, 6:10pm. Station predictions can differ locally.

Seven-day overview

06:00–19:00 forecast hours; daily values are not a full-day maximum.
Pacific day	Estimated surf face	Mean wind	Hours available
Wed Nov 11	2.0 ft	5.5 mph	14/14
Thu Nov 12	2.0 ft	6.4 mph	14/14
Fri Nov 13	2.6 ft	7.8 mph	14/14
Sat Nov 14	3.3 ft	4.1 mph	14/14
Sun Nov 15	2.8 ft	5.0 mph	14/14
Mon Nov 16	2.7 ft	4.6 mph	14/14
Tue Nov 17	2.2 ft	5.5 mph	14/14

Hourly details · next 72 hours

Pacific time	Estimated surf face	Model range	Set proxy	Swell from	Wind	Tide MLLW	Models
Wed 6:00pm	2.0 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.2 s	4.7 mph N	0.2 ft	3
Wed 7:00pm	2.0 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.1 s	4.6 mph NNW	1.0 ft	3
Wed 8:00pm	2.0 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.1 s	3.9 mph NNW	1.8 ft	3
Wed 9:00pm	2.0 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	3.1 ft	W · 12.2 s	3.2 mph ENE	2.6 ft	3
Wed 10:00pm	2.0 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.2 s	3.8 mph ENE	3.1 ft	3
Wed 11:00pm	2.0 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.2 s	3.6 mph E	3.3 ft	3
Thu 12:00am	2.0 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.1 s	5.1 mph ENE	3.2 ft	3
Thu 1:00am	2.0 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.1 s	3.9 mph ENE	3.0 ft	3
Thu 2:00am	2.0 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.1 s	3.4 mph NE	2.8 ft	3
Thu 3:00am	2.0 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.1 s	4.4 mph NNE	2.6 ft	3
Thu 4:00am	2.0 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.1 s	6.0 mph NE	2.8 ft	3
Thu 5:00am	2.0 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	W · 12.1 s	5.3 mph NE	3.2 ft	3
Thu 6:00am	1.9 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	2.9 ft	W · 12.0 s	5.2 mph NE	3.8 ft	3
Thu 7:00am	1.9 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	2.9 ft	W · 12.0 s	6.0 mph NE	4.5 ft	3
Thu 8:00am	1.9 ft	1.2–2.5 ft	2.9 ft	WSW · 12.0 s	5.0 mph ENE	5.1 ft	3
Thu 9:00am	2.0 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	2.9 ft	WSW · 12.1 s	3.4 mph NE	5.5 ft	3
Thu 10:00am	1.9 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	2.9 ft	WSW · 12.1 s	3.6 mph S	5.5 ft	3
Thu 11:00am	1.9 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	2.9 ft	WSW · 12.1 s	7.3 mph SSW	5.1 ft	3
Thu 12:00pm	2.0 ft	1.3–2.5 ft	2.9 ft	WSW · 12.2 s	7.0 mph SSW	4.3 ft	3
Thu 1:00pm	2.0 ft	1.4–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	WSW · 12.2 s	8.3 mph SW	3.2 ft	3
Thu 2:00pm	2.0 ft	1.4–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	WSW · 12.1 s	8.1 mph SW	2.1 ft	3
Thu 3:00pm	2.0 ft	1.4–2.5 ft	3.0 ft	WSW · 12.1 s	8.3 mph SW	1.1 ft	3
Thu 4:00pm	2.1 ft	1.6–2.6 ft	3.1 ft	WSW · 12.0 s	6.6 mph SW	0.3 ft	3
Thu 5:00pm	2.1 ft	1.4–2.6 ft	3.1 ft	WSW · 12.1 s	5.5 mph S	0.0 ft	3
Thu 6:00pm	2.1 ft	1.4–2.6 ft	3.1 ft	WSW · 12.2 s	7.6 mph S	0.1 ft	3
Thu 7:00pm	2.1 ft	1.4–2.6 ft	3.1 ft	W · 12.3 s	8.3 mph SSE	0.6 ft	3
Thu 8:00pm	2.1 ft	1.5–2.7 ft	3.2 ft	W · 12.4 s	7.9 mph S	1.2 ft	3
Thu 9:00pm	2.2 ft	1.5–2.7 ft	3.3 ft	W · 12.5 s	7.9 mph S	2.0 ft	3
Thu 10:00pm	2.2 ft	1.5–2.8 ft	3.3 ft	W · 12.6 s	7.9 mph S	2.6 ft	3
Thu 11:00pm	2.3 ft	1.6–2.8 ft	3.4 ft	W · 12.8 s	7.4 mph S	3.0 ft	3
Fri 12:00am	2.2 ft	1.6–2.8 ft	3.4 ft	W · 12.9 s	6.6 mph SE	3.1 ft	3
Fri 1:00am	2.3 ft	1.7–2.8 ft	3.5 ft	W · 13.0 s	8.9 mph E	3.1 ft	3
Fri 2:00am	2.3 ft	1.6–2.9 ft	3.5 ft	W · 13.1 s	9.7 mph ESE	3.0 ft	3
Fri 3:00am	2.4 ft	1.6–3.0 ft	3.6 ft	W · 13.1 s	12.1 mph SE	2.9 ft	3
Fri 4:00am	2.4 ft	1.6–3.1 ft	3.6 ft	W · 13.1 s	10.8 mph ESE	2.9 ft	3
Fri 5:00am	2.4 ft	1.6–3.1 ft	3.7 ft	W · 13.1 s	11.2 mph SE	3.1 ft	3
Fri 6:00am	2.5 ft	1.6–3.1 ft	3.7 ft	W · 13.2 s	18.8 mph SSE	3.5 ft	3
Fri 7:00am	2.5 ft	1.7–3.1 ft	3.8 ft	W · 13.3 s	6.8 mph S	4.1 ft	3
Fri 8:00am	2.5 ft	1.7–3.1 ft	3.8 ft	W · 13.3 s	7.2 mph SSW	4.6 ft	3
Fri 9:00am	2.5 ft	1.7–3.1 ft	3.8 ft	W · 13.3 s	7.3 mph S	5.0 ft	3
Fri 10:00am	2.6 ft	1.7–3.2 ft	3.8 ft	W · 13.2 s	8.1 mph SE	5.2 ft	3
Fri 11:00am	2.6 ft	1.7–3.2 ft	3.8 ft	W · 13.1 s	6.7 mph SSE	5.1 ft	3
Fri 12:00pm	2.6 ft	1.7–3.2 ft	3.9 ft	W · 13.0 s	8.1 mph S	4.6 ft	3
Fri 1:00pm	2.6 ft	1.7–3.2 ft	3.9 ft	W · 12.8 s	9.9 mph SSW	3.8 ft	3
Fri 2:00pm	2.6 ft	1.7–3.2 ft	3.9 ft	W · 12.5 s	7.6 mph SW	2.8 ft	3
Fri 3:00pm	2.6 ft	1.7–3.2 ft	3.9 ft	W · 12.2 s	7.4 mph SW	1.9 ft	3
Fri 4:00pm	2.6 ft	1.8–3.2 ft	3.9 ft	W · 11.9 s	5.9 mph SW	1.0 ft	3
Fri 5:00pm	2.6 ft	1.7–3.2 ft	3.9 ft	W · 11.7 s	5.7 mph SW	0.5 ft	3
Fri 6:00pm	2.7 ft	1.7–3.3 ft	4.0 ft	W · 11.5 s	5.4 mph WSW	0.3 ft	3
Fri 7:00pm	2.7 ft	1.7–3.4 ft	4.0 ft	W · 11.4 s	4.3 mph WSW	0.4 ft	3
Fri 8:00pm	2.7 ft	1.8–3.4 ft	4.0 ft	W · 11.4 s	4.7 mph W	0.8 ft	3
Fri 9:00pm	2.7 ft	1.8–3.5 ft	4.1 ft	W · 11.5 s	4.5 mph W	1.4 ft	3
Fri 10:00pm	2.7 ft	1.7–3.5 ft	4.1 ft	W · 11.4 s	4.7 mph W	2.0 ft	3
Fri 11:00pm	2.8 ft	1.8–3.6 ft	4.2 ft	W · 11.1 s	6.1 mph W	2.6 ft	3
Sat 12:00am	2.9 ft	1.8–3.7 ft	4.3 ft	WSW · 10.7 s	6.8 mph WNW	2.9 ft	3
Sat 1:00am	2.9 ft	1.8–3.9 ft	4.4 ft	WSW · 10.4 s	7.2 mph WNW	3.1 ft	3
Sat 2:00am	3.0 ft	1.9–3.9 ft	4.5 ft	WSW · 10.0 s	7.6 mph W	3.1 ft	3
Sat 3:00am	3.1 ft	1.9–4.0 ft	4.6 ft	WSW · 9.7 s	7.2 mph W	3.1 ft	3
Sat 4:00am	3.1 ft	1.9–4.0 ft	4.7 ft	W · 9.5 s	6.5 mph W	3.0 ft	3
Sat 5:00am	3.1 ft	1.9–4.0 ft	4.7 ft	W · 9.7 s	7.3 mph W	3.1 ft	3
Sat 6:00am	3.1 ft	1.9–3.9 ft	4.6 ft	W · 10.0 s	4.8 mph WSW	3.3 ft	3
Sat 7:00am	3.2 ft	2.1–3.9 ft	4.7 ft	W · 10.4 s	4.2 mph SSW	3.7 ft	3
Sat 8:00am	3.2 ft	2.1–4.0 ft	4.8 ft	W · 10.8 s	4.8 mph SW	4.1 ft	3
Sat 9:00am	3.2 ft	2.1–4.0 ft	4.8 ft	W · 11.2 s	4.5 mph SSW	4.5 ft	3
Sat 10:00am	3.3 ft	2.5–4.0 ft	5.0 ft	W · 11.5 s	3.8 mph S	4.8 ft	3
Sat 11:00am	3.4 ft	2.6–4.1 ft	5.1 ft	W · 11.9 s	5.2 mph SE	4.9 ft	3
Sat 12:00pm	3.4 ft	2.6–4.2 ft	5.1 ft	W · 12.2 s	5.4 mph SE	4.6 ft	3
Sat 1:00pm	3.3 ft	2.2–4.2 ft	5.0 ft	W · 12.6 s	3.8 mph SSE	4.2 ft	3
Sat 2:00pm	3.4 ft	2.3–4.3 ft	5.1 ft	W · 12.9 s	2.0 mph S	3.4 ft	3
Sat 3:00pm	3.4 ft	2.4–4.2 ft	5.1 ft	W · 13.1 s	2.2 mph SW	2.6 ft	3
Sat 4:00pm	3.4 ft	2.4–4.3 ft	5.1 ft	W · 13.3 s	3.8 mph SW	1.8 ft	3
Sat 5:00pm	3.4 ft	2.3–4.3 ft	5.1 ft	W · 13.4 s	4.5 mph WSW	1.1 ft	3
Sat 6:00pm	3.4 ft	2.3–4.3 ft	5.1 ft	W · 13.5 s	4.5 mph W	0.7 ft	3

Model spread is not a confidence interval. Tide and wind are context, not new corrections to surf size. Larger sets and changing hazards remain possible.

This page reads the shared cache first. Refresh requests only this spot’s existing regional samples.

Know the spot

Cottons opens the named Trestles chain from the north. Give it a separate read instead of treating the entire walk as one forecast and one lineup.

Break type: Beach / cobble
Wave direction: Left & right
Reported difficulty: Intermediate+
Bottom: Sand
Reported swell preference: S–W
Reported tide preference: Low–mid

Still an important part of the Trestles chain and often the first break surfers hit on the long walk. Source note: Imported 6.8 catalogue; place and confirm the takeoff.

Before paddling out: Currents, crowding, submerged rock or cobble, water-quality changes after rain, and shifting bars.

Public shoreline or trail access; tide and closures matter Owner-placed takeoff; not a survey

Source references

Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.

THE FIELD GUIDE / Cottons

Read this stretch of coast.

Read Cottons on its own terms

Look at the stretch of coastline in the satellite panel, then match that orientation to the waves breaking in front of you. The retained catalogue allows both lefts and rights. Follow several complete rides to see which shoulders are connecting and where the next section cuts them short.

Shared offshore data, different waves

Cottons shares the Trestles regional model sample with nearby entries. That is why their offshore swell components may match. It is not a claim that their surf faces, crowding or ride lengths match. Compare the incoming direction and period with the local shape, and keep notes under the actual break name.

Make the walk part of the plan

Use the official park map and posted routes when planning access. Leave time to inspect the beach and walk back, and keep clear of railway infrastructure and protected habitat. Watch for drift and submerged obstacles at the water level you find; the catalogue’s intermediate-plus label is a broad description, not a current assessment.

Further reading: California State Parks · San Onofre · Surfrider · the Trestles surf ecosystem

A useful note for next time

Record the section you actually surfed, the time, incoming swell direction and period, wind and tide trend. Add what the wave did: connected sections, closeouts, drift or exposed obstacles. Comparing that observation with the same model next time is more useful than treating one colored number as the whole session.

Camera references nearby

San Clemente beach camera ↗

City of San Clemente · about 4.1 km from the catalogue pin · video-page

City beach-camera player with linked weather and water information.

Dana Point Harbor overlook ↗

HDOnTap / Laguna Cliffs · about 11.7 km from the catalogue pin · video-page

Harbor and ocean panorama from Laguna Cliffs.

Links to third-party camera pages, not owned feeds. Proximity does not confirm the camera sees this break. Playback and image freshness have not been verified by this page.

Make the next session easier

Lineup etiquette · Paddling technique · How these forecasts work

Nearby spots to compare

PureSurfers is built by Peter Ochabski. Spot profiles combine retained sources and contributor observations; this is not a claim he has surfed or verified every entry.

COASTAL WAVE GUIDANCE

Waves at the model cells

Awaiting shared model data

Significant wave height (Hs) before the legacy spot reduction. This is not a measured breaking-face or set range.

Nearshore and buoy trends load here. Coverage and observation times are shown separately.