Swell Intel

Trails Surf Forecast, Orange County, California

Orange County, California

Trails surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair
Wave Height
3-4ft
waist to chest high
Swell Period
15s
Wind
4mph
S / Gusts 5mph
Conditions
Fair
Active Swells
Primary
1.6ft @ 15sSSW
Secondary
1.4ft @ 10sW
Tertiary
1.2ft @ 12sS

Trails 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Trails, Orange County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.

Sat, May 16: 23ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 15s with gentle S breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.

Sun, May 17: 23ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with 14mph SE winds.

Mon, May 18: 34ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on WSW swell at 7s with moderate SE wind around 8mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.

Tue, May 19: 12ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.

Wed, May 20: 12ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.

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Daily Forecast

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Forecast Charts

Trails Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

Trails is a mellow beach break located along Orange County's central coast, offering forgiving sand-bottom waves ideal for developing surfers and those looking for a relaxed session. The break faces northeast but receives best performance from south-southwest swells, which wrap around the Southern California coastline and peel across the sandy bottom with consistent shape. Protected by offshore westerly winds, this accessible spot provides a fun introduction to coastal Orange County surfing with amenities and parking nearby.

Moderate shore breakRip currents during larger swells

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Trails Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Trails?

The current wave height at Trails is 3-4ft with a 15s swell period. Wind is S at 4mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Trails?

The current breaking wave height at Trails is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.6ft SSW primary swell at 15s, a 1.4ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft S tertiary swell at 12s. 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.

When is the best time to surf Trails?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Trails is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 12.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Trails?

Trails 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.

What tide is best at Trails?

Tide plays a big role at Trails. 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.

What kind of wave is Trails and who is it for?

Trails is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Trails is a mellow beach break located along Orange County's central coast, offering forgiving sand-bottom waves ideal for developing surfers and those looking for a relaxed session. The break faces northeast but receives best performance from south-southwest swells, which wrap around the Southern California coastline and peel across the sandy bottom with consistent shape. Protected by offshore westerly winds, this accessible spot provides a fun introduction to coastal Orange County surfing with amenities and parking nearby.

When is the best season to surf Trails?

The prime season at Trails is fall, 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Trails?

Common hazards at Trails include moderate shore break, rip currents during larger swells. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Trails surf forecast?

Our Trails 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.