Truth be known I go back to those early days, (this picture is when I was 37 living in Tahoe). Mom and I moved to Dana Point in 1964, those were some of the best days of my life! I use to surf daily and have stories on top of stories of per-harbor Killer Dana, Doheny, going to San Clemente High school the first year it was built. So what was so cool about Trestles back then is I was a dependent and had the blue sticker that got me on the base to drive in and park right at lowers. There use to be these military holiday bungalows down there, and the one I use to park next to at lowers had a always open door to the bathroom which had a endless hot shower, so on top of my crowd free perfect waves, the snappy salute driving in..I even had a hot shower!!! As they so rightly say....."Those where the days!"
Don’t forget Cotton’s bro. Has a great left, less crowds, and way less hardcore attitude. Been there on a double overhead day when every trash can had broken boards sticking out.
My wife's brother was paramount in getting public access to Trestles. We had a base pass that many didn't know you could use anytime to get onto Camp Pendleton and drive over to the San Onofre side of the bay. The people in the San Onofre Surf Club were awesome to us. Joyce Hoffman surfed there regularly and always out surfed any guy in the water. I remember a Hawaiian guy digging up clams and putting them into the hot coals in the fire ring. He offered me some and they were yummy. It was 1963-67. I was in 6th to 9th grade. One day Trestles was taking the swell really well and we could see surfers across the bay riding until the Navy fired artillery onto the beach. That vacated the spot quick. Never did get to surf Trestles because we didn't want our pass pulled and I moved to England and then returned to Northern California. Anyways my wife's brother petitioned, wrote articles and filed suits in court. His dad was a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. Unfortunately he went to Berkeley and literally blew his mind. He became so far gone the family had to disown him and he died alone in a piss hole apartment in Chicago suffering from drug induced mental illness. My wife was the only one to fly out there, take care of his remains, and gather up his writings. Enjoy the waves there while you can.
Good job with the edit, A few things to add. Yes it is Whitey, not Whitney. Nixon did open San Onofre, but the beaches north of old man's to cottons remained under control of the Marine Corps. When president Nixon was in town, they would close the entire beach one mile north and south of cotton's point until he had departed. A coast guard cutter would patrol just outside of the break to discourage anyone who might be tempted by the heartbreaking empty perfection. Best swell I ever saw there? Without a doubt the New Zealand swell of September 1975. It was huge and clean, and broke in ways and places that I have never seen before or since.
My dad was one of the guys getting arrested surfing at trestles, he talks about how the marines would wait for him to fall and grab his board when it went all the way in. He also surfed killer dana a lot and makes me jealous of how good doheney used to be
1. guest pass at the gate. 2. drop off boards around the corner. 3. park at the px. 4.. wave to the marines on their leave bus. 5. pickup boards an walk in to church or lowers. 6. stash towels, etc. (mps love collecting) 7. surf surf surf. 8. this worked 100%
Should add the indigenous people who have been here for thousands of years at Panhe, and mention the nuke dump where Some Corporate Entity is putting the worlds nastiest stuff in cans on the beach... #SaveTrestles
I had the absolute pleasure to be stationed there in 1986 for 2 years and I absolutely loved that area. Believe it or not but the base welfare and recreation agency provided pre-fabbed 2 & 3-bedroom trailers that were fully furnished with everything needed for the beach except food for active duty service members and they could be rented for $20 dollars a night! Needless to say, I spent a lot of time on that beach having all types of fun in my 20s which included learning how to scuba dive giving me both Naui and Padi certifications for only $25 (if can believe that price)!
Me and some buddy's road tripped from Florida to San Clemente with no stops back in 2002. Good times. I must say, Lowers was the most disappointing surf experience of my life. It was like trying to surf in mosh pit. The other breaks are your best bet unless you're a pro or a local.
I remember being a military brat with the i.d. card and getting on base, going to churches. But in the summertime, Nixon would be there, usually during a big south swell and the coastguard would not allow anybody to sneak over to lowers.
I love those spots! I choose to keep Lowers out of all those near by breaks just because its the most popular, and I dont wanna blow up less popular places Some peeps like keeping those low key
Jokes on you San Diego, possession is 9/10th of the law, and you can't e-bike from your house, but I can from mine😅. We have our cake and eat it too. It's also funny how you can surf in front of Nixon's San Clemente home, in San Clemente, at Trestles, like it's in San Clemente. 😂
I cringe when I somebody says 'Churches'. Way before the 'I-5' was built, along the Marine Rec. Center road there was 1 (one) church and 2 small white houses for the clergy. Those were all knocked down around 1961. Whoever started calling it 'Churches should be happy to now know the truth. 1 old church = 'Church'!
I was one of the guys, along with 2 other buddies, who had our surfboards confiscated by the Marines, our other friend sneaked away and got back to the car by walking out up the beach. This must've been '74 or '75. My mom took me and one of my friends back to Camp Pendleton to get our boards back, $20 bucks apiece. On the plus side, we were on our way walking out and had already got a good surf in when they spotted us and rounded us up.
Trestles is very similar to a break I grew up surfing in Cape Patterson Victoria Australia named seconds. All the best local surfers in the area came up surfing seconds.
I actually did catch a rare low tide big winter day that had me buried so deep inside picture perfect barrels that I had to flat out pump race just to keep up..(and there was no getting out until the very end). Yeah it's rare, but it DOES happen..
san onofre state beach is part of san clementie orange county look it up it is acording to the state of california tressels is in orange county the dolly parton monument has a san clementie address and its south of lowers by a few miles and lowers is a point break theres no sand out there that is a rock reef i cant tell you how many times i cut my feet open on that reef dude stick to your jaccuzzi and if your gona put out a information video do your homework before you make the video
Truth be known I go back to those early days, (this picture is when I was 37 living in Tahoe). Mom and I moved to Dana Point in 1964, those were some of the best days of my life! I use to surf daily and have stories on top of stories of per-harbor Killer Dana, Doheny, going to San Clemente High school the first year it was built. So what was so cool about Trestles back then is I was a dependent and had the blue sticker that got me on the base to drive in and park right at lowers. There use to be these military holiday bungalows down there, and the one I use to park next to at lowers had a always open door to the bathroom which had a endless hot shower, so on top of my crowd free perfect waves, the snappy salute driving in..I even had a hot shower!!! As they so rightly say....."Those where the days!"
That’s my front yard! Best break ever! ❤️🌊
Don’t forget Cotton’s bro. Has a great left, less crowds, and way less hardcore attitude. Been there on a double overhead day when every trash can had broken boards sticking out.
You forgot to mention that cottons is in OC though!
Did I hear deep tube at lowers?? Lower, trestles??
Tonnelli ya this guy that made the video is an idiot
My wife's brother was paramount in getting public access to Trestles. We had a base pass that many didn't know you could use anytime to get onto Camp Pendleton and drive over to the San Onofre side of the bay. The people in the San Onofre Surf Club were awesome to us. Joyce Hoffman surfed there regularly and always out surfed any guy in the water. I remember a Hawaiian guy digging up clams and putting them into the hot coals in the fire ring. He offered me some and they were yummy. It was 1963-67. I was in 6th to 9th grade. One day Trestles was taking the swell really well and we could see surfers across the bay riding until the Navy fired artillery onto the beach. That vacated the spot quick. Never did get to surf Trestles because we didn't want our pass pulled and I moved to England and then returned to Northern California. Anyways my wife's brother petitioned, wrote articles and filed suits in court. His dad was a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. Unfortunately he went to Berkeley and literally blew his mind. He became so far gone the family had to disown him and he died alone in a piss hole apartment in Chicago suffering from drug induced mental illness. My wife was the only one to fly out there, take care of his remains, and gather up his writings. Enjoy the waves there while you can.
Really great channel! Love the history lessons! Keep up the solid work!
Thanks steve! I spent more time at this strip of beach than any other. I love churches and miss everyone that I met and surfed with.
I loved this video. So great that someone bothers to talk about the history of places like this. Thanks.
Love the series! Can’t wait to see which one you present next 😃
Lipidtransferase thanks! I’m probably stick with SD beaches for a bit and then work my way up the Cali coast
Nixon may have caused Watergate scandal,
but he did a favor to us surfers, so does that make him a homie?
Conflicted.
Good job with the edit, A few things to add. Yes it is Whitey, not Whitney. Nixon did open San Onofre, but the beaches north of old man's to cottons remained under control of the Marine Corps. When president Nixon was in town, they would close the entire beach one mile north and south of cotton's point until he had departed. A coast guard cutter would patrol just outside of the break to discourage anyone who might be tempted by the heartbreaking empty perfection. Best swell I ever saw there? Without a doubt the New Zealand swell of September 1975. It was huge and clean, and broke in ways and places that I have never seen before or since.
I remember the “Monster from New Zealand” and witnessing Gerry Lopez connecting the points backside at Malibu. 👍
It was an Epic Summer too! Nice work China!
My dad was one of the guys getting arrested surfing at trestles, he talks about how the marines would wait for him to fall and grab his board when it went all the way in. He also surfed killer dana a lot and makes me jealous of how good doheney used to be
Love these history lessons on the best beaches and thanks for clarifying that Trestles is IN SAN DIEGO!
Miguel Marquina thanks Miguel! You know I gotta claim SD! Yeww!! 🤙🏻
When I was a kid you had to sneak in and avoid the USMC who would arrest you, confiscate your boards etc.
I'm most fond of Cotton's on a big NW, but I've caught every inch of that place just magical from there to Trails.
1. guest pass at the gate. 2. drop off boards around the corner. 3. park at the px. 4.. wave to the marines on their leave bus. 5. pickup boards an walk in to church or lowers. 6. stash towels, etc. (mps love collecting) 7. surf surf surf. 8. this worked 100%
Great video, it's look like the spot where Griffin Colapinto is trainning a lot. :D
Should add the indigenous people who have been here for thousands of years at Panhe, and mention the nuke dump where Some Corporate Entity is putting the worlds nastiest stuff in cans on the beach... #SaveTrestles
Darin R. McClure it’s a real shit show down there! So upsetting & scary I can’t really put into words on this 🥺
5:16 of needed history lesson! Good on ya Mate!
Awesome video series!
victorious b.i.g thanks!!
well done, i have been tubed at trestles, nice info
I had the absolute pleasure to be stationed there in 1986 for 2 years and I absolutely loved that area. Believe it or not but the base welfare and recreation agency provided pre-fabbed 2 & 3-bedroom trailers that were fully furnished with everything needed for the beach except food for active duty service members and they could be rented for $20 dollars a night! Needless to say, I spent a lot of time on that beach having all types of fun in my 20s which included learning how to scuba dive giving me both Naui and Padi certifications for only $25 (if can believe that price)!
Excellent
good show!!!
Whitey not Whitney. Thanks for giving Lorrin credit! Amazing part of the surf culture.
man this is pretty good stuff. Do you do this for fun or do you get paid for recording surfing stuff.
It’s “Whitey” and I know this because he was my neighbor growing up. 🤙😎
Toledo and all of Brazil moved to San Clemente ; )
I thought it’s was the river that brought rocks ,boulders in that makes that wave??
deep tube at lowers? hahhaha okaaaay
cool content
I want to see some huge trestles . You should make a video on that .
Check out one of my more recent videos, I just did a drone video of a pretty good size day at Lowers. I'd like to see some MASSIVE LOWERS
Me and some buddy's road tripped from Florida to San Clemente with no stops back in 2002. Good times. I must say, Lowers was the most disappointing surf experience of my life. It was like trying to surf in mosh pit. The other breaks are your best bet unless you're a pro or a local.
Cottons is in OC though, so part of trestles is in OC.
Home sweet Home
Cool video. Cottons is in OC lol
Gnarly dude (Jeff Spicoli voice).
your dab got me good - I'll still pretend it's OC though
I remember being a military brat with the i.d. card and getting on base, going to churches. But in the summertime, Nixon would be there, usually during a big south swell and the coastguard would not allow anybody to sneak over to lowers.
most local surfers there are actually from san clemente and orange county, not many san diego natives.
True....lots of non locals that rip....
L
How can we continue it as a state beach
plz go to seaside on monday ill be there its gonna be firing
Shredder 343 I’m currently in Vegas and I’m gunna miss out on Monday 😭 BUT I’ll be at Blacks on Tuesday!
Cottons
We should make it happen
No love for barbs and cottons lol
I love those spots! I choose to keep Lowers out of all those near by breaks just because its the most popular, and I dont wanna blow up less popular places Some peeps like keeping those low key
2 of the best spots in the area for sure! Thanks for not showing them on the map 👍🏼
Jokes on you San Diego, possession is 9/10th of the law, and you can't e-bike from your house, but I can from mine😅. We have our cake and eat it too. It's also funny how you can surf in front of Nixon's San Clemente home, in San Clemente, at Trestles, like it's in San Clemente. 😂
@0:35 in *2011
Trestles is definitely not known for barrels
Best wave in the world, yeah sure if you haven't traveled the world lol
I cringe when I somebody says 'Churches'. Way before the 'I-5' was built, along the Marine Rec. Center road there was 1 (one) church and 2 small white houses for the clergy. Those were all knocked down around 1961. Whoever started calling it 'Churches should be happy to now know the truth. 1 old church = 'Church'!
I was one of the guys, along with 2 other buddies, who had our surfboards confiscated by the Marines, our other friend sneaked away and got back to the car by walking out up the beach. This must've been '74 or '75. My mom took me and one of my friends back to Camp Pendleton to get our boards back, $20 bucks apiece.
On the plus side, we were on our way walking out and had already got a good surf in when they spotted us and rounded us up.
Trestles is very similar to a break I grew up surfing in Cape Patterson Victoria Australia named seconds. All the best local surfers in the area came up surfing seconds.
Deep tubes at Trestles? What a fricking kook. I am a local. I was Furdog's surf buddy. The guy that did this video doesn't know jack.
I actually did catch a rare low tide big winter day that had me buried so deep inside picture perfect barrels that I had to flat out pump race just to keep up..(and there was no getting out until the very end). Yeah it's rare, but it DOES happen..
Barrels ahahahah
Deep Tube!?!? Whitney? Wtf is this guy talking about?!
Did he actually say best wave in the world..lol..lol.
The wave is a mush burger lol
san onofre state beach is part of san clementie orange county look it up it is acording to the state of california tressels is in orange county
the dolly parton monument has a san clementie address and its south of lowers by a few miles and lowers is a point break theres no sand out there that is a rock reef i cant tell you how many times i cut my feet open on that reef
dude stick to your jaccuzzi and if your gona put out a information video do your homework before you make the video
Trestles is overrated! Don't cruise!
Nixon bought the home from the wife of prominent Democrat, Hamilton H. Cotton….hence the name of the left point right out front 🏄🏽♂️