Middles

Middles is a reef break with both left and right-hand waves offering steep, shapely rides on head-high swells or smaller. The break works on a wide range of tide levels but shapes up most consistently at mid-tide and during mid-sized swells, making it forgiving compared to the more dramatic sections of Trestles nearby. The seabed is primarily rock with sand and seagrass, creating reliable shape with adequate swell, though the wave doesn't hold together as cleanly as the neighboring sections due to less reef structure underneath.

Trestles as a whole has been surfed since at least the 1920s and 1930s, making it one of California's historic breaks. The area became a regular destination after early pioneers explored it alongside San Onofre, and today it hosts professional World Surf League competitions regularly. Middles itself serves as an alternative to the more crowded and competitive sections of Trestles, drawing surfers who want quality waves without the high-pressure atmosphere.

Middles is accessed only by foot via a roughly one-mile paved trail from the Cristianitos Road parking area near San Onofre State Beach; there is no direct car access to the beach. The trail passes through marshland and crosses active railroad tracks, both of which present potential hazards. The break attracts longboarders and intermediate surfers looking for less crowded conditions and multiple takeoff zones with consistent wave opportunities.