204s

204s is an intermediate beach break with both left and right-hand waves that peel across a bottom of sand mixed with rock. It works best on a mid-rising tide with south to west swell in the 1-6 foot range and a northeast offshore wind. Winter delivers the most consistent waves, when northwest to west swells generate more defined sets suitable for intermediate surfers; summer conditions are typically smaller and less organized. The break responds to most swell directions and can appear deceptively good while presenting inconsistent shape due to shifting sandbars. Rip currents and shorebreak pose the primary water hazards, and the sandy shoreline is scattered with rocks requiring careful entry and exit.

204s has been surfed since the 1950s, when early local surfers named the break after a railroad milepost marker on the adjacent BNSF line (specifically the 204.8 mile marker). The name has remained in use among the local crew for over seven decades, establishing 204s as a foundational part of San Clemente's surf history.

Access requires navigating a steep staircase down to a narrow sandy beach wedged between the ocean and railroad tracks. Parking is extremely limited, with roughly a dozen street spaces along Buena Vista near Dije Court, and all spots are first-come-first-served residential parking. The beach itself has been significantly reduced by erosion, which has also degraded the consistency of the sandbars that form the break.