Cottons

Cottons is a sandy-bottom left-dominant point break that serves up consistently long peeling walls suited to intermediate and advanced surfers. The wave works best when southwest swell combines with northeast offshore wind, typically coming into form around mid tide. Conditions range from shoulder-high on small days to double-overhead on larger swells. The break can produce a relatively mellow performance wave with a manageable pace, often compared favorably to the busier nearby breaks at Trestles. Hazards include shifting sand conditions, rock riprap, and strong currents in certain sections.

Cottons was discovered and kept largely secret by early California legend Phil Edwards and Miki Dora around 1951-52. Access to the area became heavily restricted in 1969 when President Richard Nixon established La Casa Pacifica on the bluff overlooking the break, with armed guards and Coast Guard presence limiting who could surf it. Former U.S. Surfing Champion Corky Carroll was notably one of the few given permission to continue surfing the spot during this period. Over decades, it developed a reputation as a more laid-back alternative to the crowded main Trestles breaks despite maintaining intermediate skill requirements.

The spot lies at the northern end of the Trestles complex near San Clemente and is accessed via an easy one-mile hike from the Cristianitos Road trailhead, requiring a California State Parks day-use fee. While the trail is straightforward, the surrounding area includes private residential property that restricts some access routes. The break can become intensely crowded when swell conditions align, though it tends to see lighter traffic than the more famous breaks directly south at Trestles.