
Surf Forecasts:
Trestles (Uppers) surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 14s period, S swell with 1,643 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Trestles (Uppers) this week:
The surf forecast for Trestles (Uppers) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Trestles (Uppers) in the next 16 days are 2.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 13s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Trestles (Uppers) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cooking at Trestles (Uppers) for the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, there’s a real rough patch ahead. No sugarcoating it, the first few days are flat out poor. We’re talking Thursday the 3rd to Saturday the 5th with tiny, weak swell, cross-onshore breezes, and the water is a whopping 9°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a seriously warm anomaly for September, you’ll feel it. The combined energy is low (374), and the wave comment says it all: poor surf. You’re looking at a 2ft to 4ft southerly swell, but it’s messy and chopped up. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate.
Now, Sunday the 6th morning is where things start to flicker. The swell bumps up to 6ft, coming from the south with a period of 14 seconds, and the wind goes light and cross-shore from the northwest. That’s a rare moment of calm. The combined energy jumps to 1445 – moderate wave energy, but the report still says “marginal,” so keep your expectations in check. The afternoon gets a bit more size, 7ft, but the wind swings west and goes cross-onshore again, so it’ll get lumpy.
Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are frustrating. We’ve got a solid 6ft to 7ft south-southwest swell hanging around, decent period at 14 seconds, but the wind is relentless from the west and west-northwest, blowing cross-onshore at 9 to 12 mph. It’s going to be choppy, and the energy is strong (over 1400), but the quality is just not there. The wave comment says “poor” or “marginal” for most of it. The best of a bad bunch is the early morning Monday, maybe, if you can handle the wind.
Wednesday the 9th the swell drops fast, back to 4ft, and the wind picks up again. The rest of the week from the 10th to the 13th is a slow fade: tiny 2ft to 3ft swell, light but mostly cross-onshore winds, and the combined energy struggles to even hit 600. It’s pretty lifeless out there.
Here’s the interesting bit: the 14th and 15th of September. The swell is tiny, 1ft, but the period jumps to 18–21 seconds, and the wind is light and onshore from the southwest. That’s a very long period groundswell, but it’s so small it’s barely surfable. The combined energy is low (214–364), so it’s mostly a tease.
The real standout, if you can call it that, is the morning of Sunday the 6th. That’s your best shot. The 6ft south swell, light cross-shore wind, and the longest period of the run (14 seconds) gives you the best chance of a clean wave. But honestly, it’s still a marginal day. The rest of the 16 days is a struggle. The crowd profile at Trestles is “always” busy, so even when it’s poor, expect a crowd. The optimum swell direction is west, and we’re getting mostly south-southwest, so the waves won’t be perfect.
Bottom line: we’ve got a long, slow run of poor-to-marginal surf. The first few days are a write-off, and the middle of the second week sees a little pulse of very long period but tiny swell. If you’re itching, the 6th morning is your only real chance. Otherwise, sit this one out.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon afternoon, min 22°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SW 16 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
188 | 404 | 651 | 587 | 659 | 525 | 537 | 715 | 806 | 1443 | 1324 | 651 | 1505 | 1229 | 1077 | 838 | 745 | 451 | 229 | 278 | 346 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:34PM1.57m | 5:35AM0.88m | 3:06PM1.55m | 6:58AM1.01m | 4:42PM1.62m | 7:24AM1.14m | 5:56PM1.74m | 7:51AM1.26m | 6:54PM1.85m | 8:19AM1.38m | 7:43PM1.91m | 8:47AM1.49m | 8:28PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:57PM0.27m | 6:35AM0.88m | 11:34PM0.14m | 10:07AM0.94m | 00:38AM-0.01m | 11:51AM0.84m | 1:25AM-0.13m | 12:54PM0.67m | 2:04AM-0.19m | 1:43PM0.49m | 2:39AM-0.20m | 2:28PM0.34m | 3:11AM-0.15m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 7:13 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:08 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 15 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 17 |
46 | 404 | 651 | 587 | 659 | 525 | 537 | 715 | 806 | 1443 | 1324 | 651 | 1505 | 1229 | 1077 | 838 | 745 | 451 | 229 | 178 | 346 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | W 6 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | S 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 13 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | S 12 | W 6 | WSW 10 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | W 6 | SW 16 | SSW 9 |
140 | 56 | 39 | 154 | 273 | 334 | 506 | 481 | 582 | 32 | 38 | 472 | 16 | 10 | 17 | 80 | 81 | 130 | 22 | 278 | 53 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 12 | SW 11 | W 6 | SW 11 | W 4 | SW 12 | WSW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 12 | W 12 | WSW 11 | — | — | W 12 | SSW 21 | SW 22 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | W 6 | S 12 |
188 | 58 | 30 | 24 | 55 | 10 | 48 | 91 | 44 | 14 | 3 | 39 | — | — | 3 | 44 | 18 | 59 | 214 | 27 | 72 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | W 11 | W 6 | W 6 | — | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | — | — | — |
— | 21 | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 56 | 10 | 16 | — | 15 | 11 | 25 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 86 | 0 | 83 | 86 | 0 | 86 | 64 | 0 | 32 | 3 | 12 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 12 | 0 | 86 | 86 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Trestles (Uppers) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Trestles (Uppers) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Trestles (Uppers) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Trestles (Uppers) surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Trestles (Uppers)) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Trestles (Uppers) may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Trestles (Uppers) is 6 km (4 miles) from San Clemente. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in San Clemente. San Clemente has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










