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GhostFingers · Orange County · South OC

Churches

Mellow cobblestone right and left at the south end of the Trestles stretch, just north of San Onofre. Softer and more forgiving than Uppers and Lowers up the beach.

South OC Famous + beginner-friendly

Spot intel

Parking

Access off the Basilone Road exit through San Onofre State Beach, then a walk up the beach. Day-use parking fee.

Crowd

Moderate and mixed. Longboarders, mid-lengths, and families spread across a forgiving peak. Less territorial than the Trestles waves to the north.

Beginner-friendly?

Depends.

A soft, rolling point wave that works for less experienced surfers on small days. The catch is the walk in and the cobblestone entry, not the wave.

Famous for

Church. The northernmost reef in the Trestles cluster, fronting the old Cotton Estate. Less crowded than Lowers and the first to bend west swell into the area.

Lineup etiquette

Priority goes to the deepest rider on the point. Room on the shoulder when it is not crowded.

When it's on

South through west swell with light morning wind. Forgiving across most of the tide.

When beginners can paddle out

Knee-high to chest-high on a mid tide with light wind. The cobblestone bottom rewards booties on the paddle out.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.3780, -117.5760
Shore faces
SW
Region
South OC, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Churches?
Churches works best on a S to SW swell. It also picks up WSW to WNW swell.
How big does Churches need to be?
Churches is best in the 2-5ft range on a 12-20s period.
What are the best conditions at Churches?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
Where is Churches?
Churches is a mellow right + left in South OC, California. The beach faces SW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Churches?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Churches with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, summer 2026.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching summer 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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