SSW from · 207° · 14.3 s
Lowers.
Two directions. Full commitment.
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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.
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, 8:00pm Pacific
GFS · 4 components
No energy reported for this component
W from · 280° · 12.8 s
WNW from · 286° · 2.4 s
MFWAM · 2 components
W from · 278° · 9.5 s
No energy reported for this component
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, 65 km reference; retrieved Wed Nov 11, 6:10pm. Station predictions can differ locally.
Seven-day overview
| Pacific day | Estimated surf face | Mean wind | Hours available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Nov 11 | 2.2 ft | 5.5 mph | 14/14 |
| Thu Nov 12 | 2.1 ft | 6.4 mph | 14/14 |
| Fri Nov 13 | 2.8 ft | 7.8 mph | 14/14 |
| Sat Nov 14 | 3.6 ft | 4.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Sun Nov 15 | 3.0 ft | 5.0 mph | 14/14 |
| Mon Nov 16 | 2.9 ft | 4.6 mph | 14/14 |
| Tue Nov 17 | 2.7 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 8:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.3–2.8 ft | 3.4 ft | W · 12.1 s | 3.9 mph NNW | 1.8 ft | 3 |
| Wed 9:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.3–2.7 ft | 3.4 ft | WSW · 12.9 s | 3.2 mph ENE | 2.6 ft | 3 |
| Wed 10:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.2–2.8 ft | 3.4 ft | WSW · 12.9 s | 3.8 mph ENE | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Wed 11:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.2–2.8 ft | 3.4 ft | WSW · 12.9 s | 3.6 mph E | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 12:00am | 2.2 ft | 1.2–2.7 ft | 3.3 ft | WSW · 12.9 s | 5.1 mph ENE | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Thu 1:00am | 2.2 ft | 1.2–2.7 ft | 3.3 ft | WSW · 12.8 s | 3.9 mph ENE | 3.0 ft | 3 |
| Thu 2:00am | 2.2 ft | 1.2–2.7 ft | 3.3 ft | WSW · 12.8 s | 3.4 mph NE | 2.8 ft | 3 |
| Thu 3:00am | 2.2 ft | 1.2–2.7 ft | 3.3 ft | WSW · 12.9 s | 4.4 mph NNE | 2.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 4:00am | 2.2 ft | 1.2–2.7 ft | 3.2 ft | SW · 12.9 s | 6.0 mph NE | 2.8 ft | 3 |
| Thu 5:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.2–2.7 ft | 3.2 ft | SW · 12.9 s | 5.3 mph NE | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Thu 6:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.2–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | SW · 12.9 s | 5.2 mph NE | 3.8 ft | 3 |
| Thu 7:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.1–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | SW · 12.9 s | 6.0 mph NE | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Thu 8:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.2–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | SW · 13.0 s | 5.0 mph ENE | 5.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 9:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.2–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | SW · 13.0 s | 3.4 mph NE | 5.5 ft | 3 |
| Thu 10:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.2–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | SW · 13.1 s | 3.6 mph S | 5.5 ft | 3 |
| Thu 11:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.2–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | SW · 13.1 s | 7.3 mph SSW | 5.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 12:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.3–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | SW · 13.1 s | 7.0 mph SSW | 4.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 1:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.3–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | SW · 13.2 s | 8.3 mph SW | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Thu 2:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.3–2.6 ft | 3.2 ft | SW · 13.2 s | 8.1 mph SW | 2.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 3:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.3–2.7 ft | 3.2 ft | SW · 13.2 s | 8.3 mph SW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 4:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.5–2.7 ft | 3.3 ft | SW · 13.2 s | 6.6 mph SW | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 5:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.4–2.7 ft | 3.3 ft | SW · 13.2 s | 5.5 mph S | 0.0 ft | 3 |
| Thu 6:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.4–2.8 ft | 3.3 ft | SW · 13.1 s | 7.6 mph S | 0.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 7:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.4–2.8 ft | 3.4 ft | SW · 13.1 s | 8.3 mph SSE | 0.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 8:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.4–2.8 ft | 3.4 ft | SW · 13.2 s | 7.9 mph S | 1.2 ft | 3 |
| Thu 9:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.4–2.8 ft | 3.5 ft | SW · 13.2 s | 7.9 mph S | 2.0 ft | 3 |
| Thu 10:00pm | 2.4 ft | 1.4–2.9 ft | 3.5 ft | SW · 13.3 s | 7.9 mph S | 2.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 11:00pm | 2.4 ft | 1.5–2.9 ft | 3.6 ft | SW · 13.4 s | 7.4 mph S | 3.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00am | 2.4 ft | 1.5–2.9 ft | 3.7 ft | SW · 13.5 s | 6.6 mph SE | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00am | 2.5 ft | 1.6–3.0 ft | 3.8 ft | SW · 13.6 s | 8.9 mph E | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00am | 2.5 ft | 1.6–3.0 ft | 3.8 ft | W · 13.1 s | 9.7 mph ESE | 3.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00am | 2.6 ft | 1.6–3.1 ft | 3.9 ft | WSW · 13.8 s | 12.1 mph SE | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00am | 2.6 ft | 1.7–3.2 ft | 3.9 ft | W · 13.1 s | 10.8 mph ESE | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00am | 2.7 ft | 1.7–3.2 ft | 4.0 ft | W · 13.1 s | 11.2 mph SE | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00am | 2.7 ft | 1.7–3.3 ft | 4.0 ft | W · 13.2 s | 18.8 mph SSE | 3.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00am | 2.7 ft | 1.7–3.3 ft | 4.1 ft | W · 13.3 s | 6.8 mph S | 4.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00am | 2.8 ft | 1.7–3.4 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 13.3 s | 7.2 mph SSW | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00am | 2.8 ft | 1.6–3.4 ft | 4.1 ft | W · 13.3 s | 7.3 mph S | 5.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00am | 2.8 ft | 1.6–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 13.2 s | 8.1 mph SE | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00am | 2.8 ft | 1.6–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 13.1 s | 6.7 mph SSE | 5.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00pm | 2.8 ft | 1.6–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 13.0 s | 8.1 mph S | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00pm | 2.8 ft | 1.7–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 12.8 s | 9.9 mph SSW | 3.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00pm | 2.8 ft | 1.7–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 12.5 s | 7.6 mph SW | 2.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00pm | 2.8 ft | 1.7–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 12.2 s | 7.4 mph SW | 1.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00pm | 2.8 ft | 1.7–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 11.9 s | 5.9 mph SW | 1.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00pm | 2.8 ft | 1.7–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 11.7 s | 5.7 mph SW | 0.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00pm | 2.8 ft | 1.8–3.5 ft | 4.2 ft | W · 11.5 s | 5.4 mph WSW | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00pm | 2.8 ft | 1.8–3.6 ft | 4.3 ft | W · 11.4 s | 4.3 mph WSW | 0.4 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00pm | 2.9 ft | 1.8–3.5 ft | 4.3 ft | W · 11.4 s | 4.7 mph W | 0.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00pm | 2.9 ft | 1.8–3.6 ft | 4.4 ft | W · 11.5 s | 4.5 mph W | 1.4 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00pm | 2.9 ft | 1.8–3.6 ft | 4.3 ft | W · 11.4 s | 4.7 mph W | 2.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00pm | 2.9 ft | 1.8–3.6 ft | 4.4 ft | W · 11.1 s | 6.1 mph W | 2.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00am | 3.0 ft | 1.8–3.5 ft | 4.4 ft | WSW · 10.7 s | 6.8 mph WNW | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00am | 3.0 ft | 1.9–3.6 ft | 4.5 ft | WSW · 10.4 s | 7.2 mph WNW | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00am | 3.0 ft | 1.9–3.7 ft | 4.6 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 7.6 mph W | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00am | 3.2 ft | 2.0–3.8 ft | 4.7 ft | WSW · 9.7 s | 7.2 mph W | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00am | 3.2 ft | 1.9–4.0 ft | 4.8 ft | W · 9.5 s | 6.5 mph W | 3.0 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00am | 3.2 ft | 2.0–4.1 ft | 4.8 ft | W · 9.7 s | 7.3 mph W | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00am | 3.2 ft | 1.9–4.1 ft | 4.8 ft | W · 10.0 s | 4.8 mph WSW | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00am | 3.2 ft | 2.1–4.2 ft | 4.9 ft | W · 10.4 s | 4.2 mph SSW | 3.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00am | 3.2 ft | 2.1–4.4 ft | 4.9 ft | W · 10.8 s | 4.8 mph SW | 4.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00am | 3.3 ft | 2.1–4.5 ft | 4.9 ft | W · 11.2 s | 4.5 mph SSW | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00am | 3.5 ft | 2.4–4.6 ft | 5.2 ft | W · 11.5 s | 3.8 mph S | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00am | 3.5 ft | 2.4–4.7 ft | 5.3 ft | W · 11.9 s | 5.2 mph SE | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00pm | 3.6 ft | 2.4–4.9 ft | 5.4 ft | W · 12.2 s | 5.4 mph SE | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00pm | 3.6 ft | 2.3–5.0 ft | 5.5 ft | W · 12.6 s | 3.8 mph SSE | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00pm | 3.7 ft | 2.5–5.1 ft | 5.6 ft | W · 12.9 s | 2.0 mph S | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00pm | 3.8 ft | 2.5–5.1 ft | 5.7 ft | W · 13.1 s | 2.2 mph SW | 2.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00pm | 3.8 ft | 2.6–5.2 ft | 5.7 ft | W · 13.3 s | 3.8 mph SW | 1.8 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00pm | 3.8 ft | 2.5–5.2 ft | 5.7 ft | W · 13.4 s | 4.5 mph WSW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00pm | 3.8 ft | 2.5–5.2 ft | 5.7 ft | W · 13.5 s | 4.5 mph W | 0.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00pm | 3.8 ft | 2.5–5.3 ft | 5.7 ft | W · 13.5 s | 4.3 mph WNW | 0.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00pm | 3.7 ft | 2.5–5.2 ft | 5.6 ft | W · 13.5 s | 3.1 mph WNW | 0.6 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
Lowers is Trestles’ celebrated cobblestone A-frame: a high-performance peak where the left and right deserve separate attention.
- Break type
- Reef / cobble
- Wave direction
- A-frame / left & right
- Reported difficulty
- Advanced–expert
- Bottom
- Rock / reef
- Reported swell preference
- SSW–W
- Reported tide preference
- Low–mid
One of the crown jewels of the corridor and obviously a prime left-hunt target. Source note: Imported 6.8 catalogue; place and confirm the takeoff.
Before paddling out: Very heavy crowd, competitive surfing and impact zone risk.
Public shoreline or trail access; tide and closures matter Owner-placed takeoff; not a survey
Source references
- San Onofre State Beach — Trestles / Church access ↗
- Regional surf guide — Southern Orange County to San Diego corridor ↗
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
THE FIELD GUIDE / Lowers
Read this stretch of coast.
Read both shoulders
Watch complete rides in both directions before choosing a side. Compare how often each shoulder connects, where it gets steeper and where riders finish. The catalogue’s A-frame label describes the setup; it does not guarantee an equally open left and right on the hour you arrive.
More than one swell can be in the water
Keep the primary, secondary and tertiary components separate when GFS supplies them, and compare with Météo-France where available. Their heights are offshore Hs and must not be added. A mixed-swell day can look very different from a single-system day with a similar combined height. Note the model and forecast hour when comparing sessions.
The lineup is part of the difficulty
The retained rating is advanced to expert, with a highly competitive crowd. Watch the rotation, the landing zones of completed rides and the room available to get clear. Use current official access information for the wider park; a famous break and a precise-looking pin do not establish an open route or a suitable session.
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 5.1 km from the catalogue pin · video-page
City beach-camera player with linked weather and water information.
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 dataSignificant wave height (Hs) before the legacy spot reduction. This is not a measured breaking-face or set range.








