
Surf Forecasts:
Trestles (Uppers) surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with 522 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s is also forecast. 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 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Trestles (Uppers) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at the next couple of weeks down at Trestles (Uppers). It’s a bit of a mixed bag, and truth be told, we’re in for a stretch of small, uncooperative conditions before anything worth getting excited about shows up.
Right now, and for the next week or more, the story is pretty flat and frustrating. Swell energy is low, sitting at around 200-300 (weak to moderate) for most of the coming days, and the onshore winds just won't give us a break. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so no wetsuit drama there. For beginners, the conditions are poor and the waves are tiny, so honestly, it’s not worth paddling out. The persistent southerly and southwesterly winds are junking up what little swell we have, and the whole setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing right now.
The first real sign of life we get is on Saturday, the 19th of September. A small pulse of 3ft SW swell shows up with a period of 18 seconds, bringing combined energy up to 547 (moderate). The wind goes light and onshore in the morning, which is at least *cleaner* than what we’ve been dealing with, but it’s still marginal. This is the best of a mediocre run. It’s not a standout day by any stretch, but it’s the closest we get to a surfable window for a while. For more experienced surfers, it might be worth a dawny.
The next chance, and the true standout of the whole outlook, falls on Monday the 21st of September. We’ve got a consistent 3ft SW swell with a period of 17 seconds, and the combined swell energy is sitting at 555 (moderate). The wind is light and onshore in the morning, making for the best conditions we’ve seen. This will be a clean, shoulder-high day for the better crew. Trestles (Uppers) is a reef and point setup and it really likes swell from the west, so a S/SW direction isn't absolutely perfect, but the long period groundswell will give you some nice shape and longer lulls between sets for easy paddling. Keep in mind though, this spot gets crowded *always*, so expect company. For a spot that is very consistent, this is your best bet.
After that, the run continues small and messy with onshore winds through the end of the month, fading back into the poor surf zone. Tuesday the 22nd and beyond is more of the same: tiny, chopped-up waves that aren't worth the paddle.
So to wrap it up: don’t hold your breath for the next week. If you’re itching for a paddle, the mornings on the 19th and especially the 21st are your only real plays. It’s not epic, but it’s what we’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 9 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
210 | 111 | 150 | 147 | 127 | 127 | 114 | 386 | 310 | 326 | 196 | 246 | 242 | 303 | 303 | 234 | 379 | 375 | 375 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:13PM1.36m | 11:11AM1.66m | 11:59PM1.17m | 11:38AM1.58m | 00:58AM0.99m | 12:07PM1.48m | 2:45AM0.87m | 12:46PM1.38m | 2:20PM1.29m | 7:59AM1.06m | 4:25PM1.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:56AM0.41m | 5:59PM0.22m | 5:16AM0.57m | 6:51PM0.30m | 5:28AM0.72m | 8:00PM0.38m | 5:12AM0.84m | 9:44PM0.41m | 11:29PM0.35m | 9:58AM1.05m | 00:26AM0.26m | ||||||||
— | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
210 | 111 | 118 | 78 | 76 | 56 | 32 | 386 | 310 | 326 | 196 | 246 | 242 | 160 | 303 | 42 | 379 | 375 | 375 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 |
85 | 108 | 150 | 147 | 127 | 122 | 87 | 12 | 10 | 28 | 26 | 46 | 101 | 303 | 141 | 184 | 31 | 24 | 26 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSE 9 | SSE 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 21 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 |
127 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 114 | 28 | 26 | 68 | 49 | 160 | 154 | 24 | 24 | 234 | 137 | 96 | 85 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 64 | 64 | 28 | 64 | 89 | 1 | 86 | 86 | 0 | 86 | 86 | 0 | 83 | 86 | 0 | 83 | 86 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










