Trestles Beach California

Trestles Beach has a reputation as a locals only beach. Some surfers are very territorial but for the most part everyone is very friendly. During the year several surfing contests are held here and there is usually a shuttle bus to take you to the grand stands. There is no parking near the beach which keeps a lot of people from visiting Trestles. You are going to have to hike about a mile down a hill to the beach and back up the hill on the return journey. Some of the best surfing spots are even further away. The main trail ends at the train trestle and from there you walk along the beach to your destination. Surfers are quite innovative carrying their boards on bikes with racks or skate boards for a quick trip down to the beach. On a big surf day the Trestles can attract a large crowd and surfers are going to have to share the waves with hundreds of others at the best breaks. If your going for a hike then you will probably have the trail along the bluff to yourself with the occasional runner of mountain bike rider to say hello to. San Mateo Creek flows into a small freshwater lagoon at Trestles where you migh spot a few birds. During a heavy rain storm the the lagoon empties into the sea. Sediment flow from the creek is one of the reasons for the quality of waves at Trestles. The hike down the trail is defiantly worth the trip and you will be rewarded by one of the last unspoiled (except for the train track) stretches of accessible Southern California coast..

Middles Surf Break Trestles

Rocks along Trestles Beach

Click on image to enlarge

The original 1946 wooden Trestle bridge pictured above has been replaced with a seven million dollar concrete structure. The new bridge will save about $250,000 dollars a year in upkeep. The new bridge will still be a trestle, just not made of wood. Trestles will still be the same wonderful surfing beach but a little bit of Southern California surfing history has been lost. Parking for Trestles is located just off Christainitos Road. There is a parking lot and street parking available. Parking lot fills up fast so arrive early on weekends. Walk across the freeway bridge, turn left down the trail and then right to the beach. There is no overnight camping at San Onofre Beach but there is a state camp grounds, San Mateo Campground, which has a trail which connects to Trestles Beach. San Onofre State Beach is is three miles south of San Clemente on I-5 (Basilone Road.)

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