Upper Trestles - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (December - February)

The heart of winter delivers the most consistent combination of quality swell and favorable winds at Upper Trestles. With offshore flow from the north through east-northeast prevailing over 57% of the time in December and January, and over 46% in February, the lineup is often glassy or lightly textured. Long-period groundswells (averaging 12.4-12.6s) from the west-southwest and southwest fill in, wrapping well into the cobblestone point. While the dominant swell direction is actually west, the southwest and west-southwest components provide the most direct, punchy lines. Expect waves in the 1-1.5m range frequently, with occasional pumping sets above 1.5m.

Fair Surf Season (October - November & March)

The shoulders of winter offer a mixed bag. October and November still see decent offshore wind percentages (35% and 50%, respectively) as the North Pacific begins to stir, but the swell direction shifts more toward west-southwest and west, often requiring a more selective approach. March brings the transition into spring with ideal wind dropping to 31% and more onshore flow from the southwest. Swell heights remain around 1-1.5m on average, and periods hold in the 12-13s range. Good sessions are still possible when a cold front clears the coast and sets up clean, offshore conditions.

Low Surf Season (April - September)

From April through September, Upper Trestles battles persistent onshore winds from the south, southwest, and west-southwest that degrade wave quality. Ideal offshore wind plummets to just 9-22% during these months, and the wind tends to favor light onshore breezes that create bumpy, choppy conditions even when swell is present. The swell itself shifts to a mix of southern hemi groundswells and local windswells, with heights averaging around 1m and periods around 13.5s – powerful but often poorly shaped due to the wind. May, June, and July are the worst, with only 9-10% clean windows. A few early morning or late evening windows can produce fun, rippable waves, but consistent quality is rare. This is the time to chase early dawn patrols or look for protected nooks.

January: Prime Winter Grind

January sees the peak of consistent winter swell and strong offshore wind reliability. Ideal wind (N, NNE, NE, ENE) blows 57% of the time, with the dominant northeast quadrant accounting for nearly 25% of all observations. This sets up classic, clean Trestles lines. Swell averages 1.0m at a long 12.6s period, with the vast majority coming from the west (62.8%) and west-southwest (25.2%). While pure west swell isn't the optimal angle, the west-southwest component (25%) delivers direct, powerful waves. Heights in the 0.5-1m and 1-1.5m range dominate, but there's a real chance of 1.5-2m+ sets (5-6% combined) that can put the point on. When the wind aligns – typically early morning or after a cold frontal passage – the waves are fast, rippable, and world-class.