T Street is a popular surf spot located off Trafalgar Street in downtown San Clemente. Known for its consistency, T Street manages to produce fun waves even when other spots along the West Coast are flat. It's the central hub for local surfers, offering a range of break types due to its unique setup of sandbars, reefs, and rocks. Although it can get busy, the vibe is mostly friendly. The break is generally divided into three main areas: the Reef, Cropley's, and the Beach House.
On a strong South swell, you can find some fun lefts peeling over the outside reef, turning into a fast section over the inner rock shelf. Winter swells bring long right-hand waves that roll off the reef and often end in a collapsing shore break. Cropley's is known for its zippy right-hand peaks during the winter months, although it takes the right swell direction from the Northwest to really shine. The Beach House, located south of the overpass, offers less crowded wedgy lefts and rights on medium swells, which are great for shortboards and bodyboards. The surf can handle sizes from about 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) and works best with a tide in the Low to Mid to High range. Preferrable winds come from the North, North Northeast, and East.
Access to T Street is straightforward, with about a dozen free parking spots nearby, but you might end up paying for meter parking if they’re all filled. The crowd factor is moderate, which means it can get competitive at times, especially when the waves are good. It’s suitable for surfers of varying skill levels, from beginners to experts, and you’ll often find locals riding shortboards, fish, funboards, longboards, and bodyboards here. The conditions generally hold up well year-round, but be cautious after rain, and watch for baby white sharks during grunion runs.
