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.

March: Transitional Shift

March marks the beginning of the transition away from prime winter, with ideal wind dropping to 31%. Onshore breezes from the south and southwest become more frequent (combined 17.3% from SSW, SW, WSW), often creating afternoon bump. Swell averages 1.1m at 12.6s, but the direction shifts noticeably: west swell (44.4%) still leads, but west-southwest jumps to 39% and southwest to 13.2%. This is actually a favorable directional shift for Trestles, as more southwest energy means better wave angles. However, the wind is less reliable. Early morning sessions before the seabreeze kicks in are your best bet, especially with high-pressure systems providing brief offshore windows.