The southernmost wave in the Trestles complex, Church is a sand-and-rock rivermouth point on the San Onofre coast that runs long, down-the-line rights year-round with enough variety to suit almost any board. W swells at medium-high tide produce the most connected walls with hollow sections threading through. S and SW swells open up multiple takeoff zones and on a big SW day the whole place can go all-time. NE to E winds keep the face clean. Size range of shoulder-high to double-overhead is the sweet spot, though the break handles more. Intermediate to advanced surfers will feel at home here, and while it draws consistent crowds it stays more manageable than Lowers up the trail. Bottom: sand and rivermouth rock. Season: year-round. Consistency: high. The paddle back up the point is a genuine shoulder-burner on a solid W swell, so pace yourself or use the channel.
Church draws a consistent crowd year-round but the vibe is reasonably cordial. It is far enough from Lowers to thin the pack a little. Dawn patrol on mid-week mornings is the most reliable window for breathing room. Show standard respect in the lineup and you will not have problems.
San Onofre State Park entry is the main approach, with a proper carpark and camping on site. You can also park off the Cristianitos exit and hike, bike, or skate the trail down. Access via Camp Pendleton is a third option but verify current military access policies before banking on it. After rain, San Onofre Creek can flush into the lineup, so check water quality advisories before paddling out. Watch for rattlesnakes on the trail after wet weather, and keep valuables out of your car.
Lowers and Uppers are a short walk north and cover most swell windows Church handles, with higher performance walls on offer when conditions align. San Onofre State Beach (Old Man's) is a few minutes south for a mellower, longboard-friendly session when the point is maxed or too crowded.
Forecast by Windy.app
