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GhostFingers · Orange County · South OC

Lowers

Cobblestone A-frame at the mouth of San Mateo Creek in San Onofre State Park. Lefts and rights. Walk-in only.

South OC Famous spot

Spot intel

Parking

$15 day-use at the Cristianitos Road entrance to San Onofre State Park. About 0.8 miles down the dirt trail along the rail tracks, 15-20 minutes on foot with a board.

Crowd

Maxed on south-swell days. Lineup runs at pro level. Peak rotates locally; the shoulder absorbs the rest.

Beginner-friendly?

No.

The wave shape is approachable. The lineup is not. Priority is contested at pro level and the wave count per visiting surfer is low.

Famous for

Lower Trestles. A high-performance cobblestone reef at San Onofre State Beach and a long-running stop on the WSL Championship Tour, with a fast right and a punchy left off the same peak.

Lineup etiquette

Contest-break priority at contest-break density. Dropping in on a wave already taken from the peak is the standard call-out.

When it's on

Long-period south or southwest groundswell with light morning offshore from the northeast through east. Mid-tide window.

Where it breaks

Coordinates
33.3809, -117.5951
Shore faces
SW
Region
South OC, California

Common questions

What swell direction is best for Lowers?
Lowers works best on a S to SW swell. It also picks up WSW to WNW swell.
How big does Lowers need to be?
Lowers is best in the 4-8ft range on a 12-20s period.
What are the best conditions at Lowers?
Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-3.5ft.
Where is Lowers?
Lowers is a performance right + left in South OC, California. The beach faces SW.
Does GhostFingers forecast Lowers?
Yes. GhostFingers grades Lowers 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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