Exploring Trestles Beach Trail

Trestles Beach is a collection of surf breaks located at the northern border of San Onofre State Beach. Saying that this beach is world-famous is an understatement! The Hurley Pro is held here!

I went over this area a bit in a previous post on San Onofre State Beach, but today I would like to concentrate on the Beach Trail leading to Trestles Beach.

The Beach Trail going east also becomes the Panhe Nature trail, which I have also written about if you are interested.

Recently, I have been teaching myself about all of the Southern California native plant species, so today, I would like to point out a few to you if you do not mind. It helps me!

Once we arrive at Trestles, I will also showcase the San Mateo Creek/ Lagoon, which ends at the beach, and check out the surfers and the dunes.

Ok, let’s go! There is so much to see!

Get Off On Cristiantos Road

There is a Trestles Parking Area next to a Carl’s Jr where you can pay by the hour. It is also important to mention that parking is off the street when available.

Once you have parked, cross the street to see an opening in a fence and follow the path west.

The Beach Trail to Trestles

Here we come upon a group of Califonia Fire Department workers clearing out the trash and old vegetation.

Unique Ecosystems at Trestles

Looking southeast into the San Mateo Canyon,  we have an excellent example of Southern California’s unique ecosystems of coyote bush scrub, willow woodland,  and sycamore/cottonwood woodland, all taking advantage of the water from the San Mateo Creek.

This canyon has a natural underground water system, explaining why many trees are present.

Tree tobacco is a non-native species from South America. Native Americans would smoke the plant and other tobacco species plants. This plant was also used before hunting rituals; utilized as an anti-inflammatory agent, an antiseptic, and an antifungal.

We are now entering the Trestles Wetlands Natural Preserve. There are no paths within the Preserve except around its outer edges, and we will be able to see part of the wetlands once we arrive at the San Mateo Lagoon.

Natural Reserve, Natural Preserve? What Is The Difference?

While researching my website, I have encountered many beaches considered Natural Reserves, some starting to be Natural Preserve. So what is the difference?

Both are similar in that a piece of land is put aside to protect flora, fauna, and geological formations. The only difference between the two is that the public is not allowed to enter a Natural Preserve. On the other hand, a Natural Reserve provides for limited human contact.

So, this is why you see the fence while walking on the Beach Trail.

I hope that this has cleared up any confusion.

Let’s get back on the trail!

Look closely at the photo above; you can see a few red leaves, a tell-tale sign of poison oak.

Do you also see the chain-linked fence where the overgrowth of the plants pushes the fence forward? I love how all the vegetation here is so old.

Extra Things To Look For on the Trestles Beach Trail

When looking down while walking, you can not help but see an array of graffiti on the pathway.

The denseness of the vegetation makes for excellent animal habitat.

Here is a reminder to be extra cautious in the water due to underwater obstructions and great white sharks in the water offshore here!

—>San Diego Shark Sightings<—

We are coming toward the end of the trail where the railroad trestle is found. 

Looking closely, you will see that word Trestles is spelled out on the concrete pillars.

San Mateo Creek at Trestles

We have finally reached the end of the San Mateo Creek, formally called the San Mateo Lagoon, which is 6 acres in size.

The lagoon is closed to any ocean interaction by a sand berm, but all of that changes when there is a powerful storm. There is an underground water supply as well that feeds this lagoon.

As we turn away from the lagoon, let us now go and check the beach out!

In this direction, we come upon another non-native species, the Hottentot-fig from South Africa.

Initially, this species was introduced in the late 1800s as a bluff stabilizer, but the fact is,  it is a destabilizer that also competes with native species.

We come now to the back of the San Mateo Creek/ Lagoon to give you an idea of how it is cut off from the Pacific Ocean.

—>Best San Diego Birding Hotspots<—

I would love to come here during a storm to see how it looks when the Ocean breaches the sand barrier; that would indeed be a sight to behold!

Let’s now turn around and check out the Ocean!

Lowers at Trestles

As stated previously, Trestles Beach is a collection of surf breaks, named by where its position is related to the Trestles train track.

For instance,  where the Beach Trail spits you out, so to speak,  is considered Uppers Beach, followed by( going South) Lowers, Middles, and finally Church (private military beach.) Cotton’s is a little north at San Clemente State Beach in  Orange County.

Fun Fact- There is a spot at Trestles where you can have one foot in San Diego County and the other in Orange County! I wonder if there is a marker there? I will have to look next time using my  GPS.

Let’s now go left and see what we see.

I was excited to see this giant tree trunk and how it was buried in the sand.

You see, my husband and I came here back in December and took many photos of it.

I love how the comparison of the two showcases the ever-changing dynamics of the sand on the beach.

Look how much of it was buried in five months.

 Here you can see all of the rocks on the beach, exposed by a low tide. These rocks are found offshore and are one of the reasons this beach has fantastic surf breaks.

—>Best Surfing Beaches in San Diego<—

Surfing Trestles

Ironically, a decent swell was coming on the day we visited Trestles. I wish I had a better camera, but here are a few shots.

We are now coming to San Diego County and Orange County border, with San Clemente State Beach in the background.

Scattered on the shoreline, we encountered many California black sea hares. Do not worry, though. Once the tide comes back in, they will be back in the water.

Trestles Dunes

Trestles Beach, as you see, is in a very remote location. Lifeguards are only present on the weekends but patrol via trucks throughout the week.

The dunes at Trestles have always been a favorite spot of mine. Not too often do you see so much vegetation on the beach, and it fascinates me how these plants can survive in the sand!

We are now walking back to where we first started.

So what did you think? Which part did you enjoy the most? All in all, this is a short trail to walk.

Here are a few posts I wrote on all of the plants seen on the dunes and around San Onofre State Beach.

See the links below for more information.

—>California Super Bloom at San Onofre<—

—>Plants at the Beach-San Onofre<—

Trestles Beach Trail Connects to the Panhe Nature Trail

I highly recommend the Beach Trail to Trestles for the whole family. You experience various landscapes, all while hearing the sweet sound of the Pacific Ocean.

And remember, if you continue on the Beach Trail east, it turns into the Panhe Nature Trail and connects you to the San Mateo Campground.

I highly recommend checking it out!

Until next time.

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Here is a view of Trestles Beach Trail, Trestles Beach, and San Onofre State Beach on October 12, 2021.