Lexus Trestles Pro

What It Is

The Lexus Trestles Pro is Stop No. 9 on the World Surf League Championship Tour, running from September 11 through 20, 2026 at Lower Trestles in San Clemente. It is the final regular-season event of the year. After the final horn, the tour narrows to the top 24 men and 16 women for the postseason, so surfers arrive with the season on the line.

Why Go

Lower Trestles is one of the most consistent high-performance point breaks on the planet, which is why the CT keeps coming back. Watching world-class surfing under cut-day pressure, from the sand and bluffs above the wave, is one of the highest-caliber free sports experiences in Southern California when the swell shows up.

What to Know Before You Go

Access. There are no grandstands, no shuttles, and no reserved seating. Park at the San Mateo Campground lot off Cristianitos Road, then walk in through San Onofre State Beach. The trail down to Lower Trestles is about a mile each way, so plan for real shoes, water, and shade.

Waiting period. The 10-day window is a hold, not a schedule. The WSL calls competition only when swell and wind cooperate, so check the daily call on the WSL event page or app before you drive down. Green-light days pull heavy crowds and higher-tier media presence. Called-off days are quiet.

Local impact. Ten days of tour traffic squeezes short-term rentals, PCH between Camino de Estrella and Basilone, and restaurant waits on Del Mar and Avenida Del Mar in San Clemente. Expect the Cristianitos I-5 exit to back up on green-light mornings.

Bring. Sunscreen, water, a shade layer, and cash or a card for parking.

The Honest Take

The event runs on a call, not fixed dates. Show up on a called-off day and you get a long walk, not a contest. Watch the WSL forecast, check the morning call, and drive down on a green light. When it is on, the level of surfing in the water is as good as it gets on the CT, and the whole thing costs nothing but time, gas, and parking.