Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Church, Orange County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 0–1ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate WSW wind around 8mph.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with gentle NW breeze.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light SSE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light winds out of the ESE. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light ESE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Church is the southernmost and most forgiving break in the Trestles complex, a cobblestone right-hand point break well-suited for longboarding and flow surfing. The slow, peeling waves and relatively mellow character make it the beginner-friendly entry point to the world-class Trestles surf zone. Located on the same cobblestone reef system formed by San Mateo Creek, it offers a mellower experience than the famous Lowers break to the north.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Church is 0-1ft with a 17.7s swell period. Wind is W at 8mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Church is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.5ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 1.1ft W secondary swell at 6s, a 0.9ft S tertiary swell at 14s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Church is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 14.35s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Church works best with a S swell and NE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Church. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Church is a point with a cobblestone bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Church is the southernmost and most forgiving break in the Trestles complex, a cobblestone right-hand point break well-suited for longboarding and flow surfing. The slow, peeling waves and relatively mellow character make it the beginner-friendly entry point to the world-class Trestles surf zone. Located on the same cobblestone reef system formed by San Mateo Creek, it offers a mellower experience than the famous Lowers break to the north.
The prime season at Church is summer, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Church include cobblestone bottom, long walk in, crowds. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Church forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
