The waves at Lowers Trestles Beach are setting the stage for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Editor’s note: This is an occasional series where Voice of OC works with local community photographers to offer residents a first-hand look at the local sites and scenes of Orange County.
Trestles Beach, a stretch of shoreline on Southern California’s San Onofre State Beach, has long been a staple to the surf scene. But now, with its recent selection as the surfing venue for the 2028 Summer Olympics,–specifically lower trestles– it is set to solidify its international recognition, surfers say.
Although still three years away, local surfers and residents reflect on what may be the beach’s most transformative moment yet.
Attracting 2.5 million visitors a year, Trestles has long been recognized as an ideal surf destination for competitions and leisurely surfing for both beginners and pro surfers alike.
In previous years, Trestles Beach has been the venue of other professional surf competitions hosting the WSL Finals from 2021 to 2024 and the Hurley Pro competition.
“It’s the quality of the waves, it’s gonna be down there at lowers. There’s an A-frame it’s called. It’s the way the cobblestones are formed. So it creates a perfect wave that’s like a skate park and all the waves are the same,” says says Rico Kernot, 23, a surfer who has ridden the waves in the area for the last 8 years.
“The opportunity to compete is really good because everyone has an equal chance.”
This cobblestone reef that Kernot refers to has shaped the beach into becoming the iconic “surf jewel” since the 1930s. Alongside the ideal surfing characteristics, the beach holds a rich cultural significance.
Stretched from the southern tip of Orange County’s San Clemente to San Diego County, San Onofre State Beach marries two of Southern California’s counties.
Tucked away behind Interstate 5, Trestles Beach is unable to be reached by car, despite being close to San Onofre State Beach. In order to access the beach, visitors must either walk or bike the Panhe Nature Trail, for about 1.5 miles, of the 5 mile out and back trail to reach the ocean.
Partially paved, the rugged nature trail is surrounded by foliage, as the chorus of the cars on the highway fades, the rhythmic noise of crashing waves takes over.
Historically, the land originated as a large village and ancestral home to the Acjachemen people over 8,000 years ago. While still culturally sacred to the Acjachemen people, since 1971, an agreement with the Department of the Navy now places the beach to be operated by the State Parks, under a lease agreement from the navy.
In August of 2024, this deal was extended to ensure that visitors can continue to access the beach.
Culturally in California, surfing is more than just a hobby but the state sport, as recognized by Assembly Bill No. 178, signed into law by Gov. Newsom back in 2018.
“It makes sense why the Olympics will be here,” says Charles Batt from Oceanside, who has been surfing Trestles Beach for over 25 years.
“I think it will be great for the economy to bring people here.”
One resident in the area hopes the event inspires city services to bring more maintenance to the area, which will lead to a cleaner beach, something he feels is lacking.
“It’ll force the authorities to do some tidy up and really put some deliberation and serious thought into the area…I think it’s a good thing that there will be a lot of deliberation going into that over the next couple of years ” says Stuart Proctor, a resident of the area for 25 years.
Another observation is the shrinking coast.
“The beach size is getting narrow,” says Keigo Niori, originally from Japan, who has been surfing Trestles Beach for 30 years.
Trestles Beach is one of many beaches in San Clemente that has faced coastal erosion diminishing the shoreline for many years.
However, one local business owner is looking forward to the crowds that the LA 2028 Surf Olympics will draw in.
Angelo Cano operates “Primo Foods,” a grocery store located nearby, and he believes he will see an increase of customers as people often “come from the beach to get something to eat,” he says.
As the 2028 Olympics inches closer, Trestles Beach’s community looks forward to the competition.
After all, not everyone has the opportunity to have an Olympic venue in their own backyard.
“I am super excited for the Olympics to be held here because…it’s going to be super awesome to watch our mentors and people we look up to surfing here at such an amazing wave and ripping,” says Marlo-Leigh Harris, 18, a San Clemente local as she prepares to enter the waves.
“And they know they can trust the waves to show up,” says Ty Weiss, 19, a Pasadena resident who has been surfing for the past year and a half, who says the waves always show up for surfers.
“Lowers will be good forever.”