Orange County, California
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: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 13s with light winds out of the SSW. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 14mph out of the SE.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on W swell at 8s with 8mph SE winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 16s 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: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
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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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Trails is 2-3ft with a 15.3s swell period. Wind is SSW at 4mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Trails is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1.2ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 1ft S tertiary swell at 16s. 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 Trails is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 12.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
