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T Street is known primarily for one thing -- consistency. The entire West Coast from Jordan River to Cabo could be flat, and T Street, the central hub for San Clemente's finest, would manage to cough up a wave or two that would make some surfer happy. There are a lot of things that help T Street break: sandbars, reefs, rocks and odd seaweed gardens all contribute to the wave's quirky behavior, which can only be described as schizophrenic. It'll transform from San O' to mini-Backdoor in the time it takes to do a bottom turn. Although the T Street fanatics have a million different names for every hole in the reef, the break can best be divided into three spots: the Reef, Cropley's and Beach House.
If you park your car at the base of Trafalgar Street and look straight out from the overpass you will see the main reef. On a strong south swell, lefts hit the outside reef, break slowly, then peel over the inside rock shelf, bowling in a fast down-the-line section. On winter swells, you get the opposite: long, workable rights off the reef ending in a collapsing shorebreak.
Cropley's is strictly a winter break. Named after the owner of a tasty hamburger stand that no longer exists, Cropley's provides fast, zippy right-hand peaks just north of the snack bar. Some swear it's T Street's best wave when it's on -- which isn't very often. It takes just the right swell direction from the northwest.
South of the overpass, there's a sandbar that old-time locals call the "Beach House." It's named after a candy shack that once stood more than two decades ago. On medium-size swells, you can catch some wedgy lefts and rights that are often less crowded and more geared toward shortboards and, yes, sponges.
T Street is a haven for bodyboarders. For the past 30 years, the beach has been blackballed during summer to allow the boogie crew to spin to their hearts' content. As a result, T Street has produced a number of good professional bodyboarders who can often be found out in the lineup. Once fall arrives, most of the bodyboarders leave and in comes the San Clemente locals. Thanks to Martin Potter's summer stays in the area in the early to mid-'80s, T Street is the Fertile Crescent for the aerial. From Matt Archbold to the Fletchers to the Beschens to the Wards to today's up-and-comers like Michael Taras, John Robertson and Michael Losness, a whole army of light-footed surfers have honed their launches off the inside bowls that bend and warp and scream, "Spank me!"
-- Blair Mathieson
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low
WNW, W, SW
head-high
E
5
rock, reef, sand and cute garibaldi
hero to zero
shortboard, sponge
Year-round
Off Trafalgar Street in downtown San Clemente. There's about a dozen or so free parking spots close to walkway, but once they're filled up, meter parking is your only choice.
Moderate
Mostly friendly, but it can get competitive when it's on.
7
1
Psycho bodybuilders, baby white sharks during grunion runs (one bit a girl in Aug 2004 at 204's)
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For quick eats, go to Pedro's Tacos (2313 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente). It's the locals' favorite pit stop. Bean and cheese burritos are thick and gooey and cheap. Fish tacos are from another planet. Don't have to wait too long to get it, either. Carls Jr. is right next to the Trestles parking lot. It may not be healthy and it may not be authentic, but it puts those hunger pangs to sleep.
If you have time to spare, try Sonny's Pizza (429 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949-498-2540). It's top-rate Italian food that would make Don Corleone cry in his linguini for the Motherland. Or Thai Pavilion (211 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 949-492-1750) for authentic and delicious Thai food. Try the pad Thai dish with tofu. Super-long waits on Friday and Saturday nights, but worth it. Fisherman's Restaurant (611 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente, 949-498-6390) is good, too. Great place to bring a date, watch the waves, sunset and eat clam chowder under the cozy heat lamps on San Clemente Pier. And for the best Mexican food in town, stop by El Patio (34226 Doheny Park Rd, Capistrano Beach, 949-496-9074). One problem, though: they close shop early and on weird holidays. Call ahead!
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San Mateo campground. Exit Cristianitos, go left and follow your nose till you see the campground on the right. Kind of an older folks campground, with Winnebagos and grandma and grandpa playing bridge from sunrise till dusk. If you want the younger crew, camp out at San Onofre campground, just past good old San O'. Summer nights provide plenty of booze, teenagers and fun. For both campsite reservations call 800-444-7275. Eighteen bucks a night camping on Friday and Saturday.
The Beachcomber Motel, which overlooks the south side of San Clemente Pier. Great location for strolling on the beaches and walking up the main San Clemente strip, which features markets every Sunday (949-492-5457).
The Hampton Inn. ($80-$120/night; 949-366-1000)
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Go for a walk along the pier, beaches, streets -- San Clemente is the antithesis of Huntington Beach. Sleepy, beautiful and uncrowded, it was even rated as one of the top five beach cities in the United States by Men's Journal. San Clemente Pier and Avenida del Mar are two great places to go for a stroll. If you cross the train tracks just at the southern end of T Street, there is a dirt pathway that winds all the way down to Uppers. Great trail for jogging, mountain biking or wandering aimlessly.
If fresh air isn't your thing, take a tour of the San Onofre Power Plant. Call the power plant to schedule your visit to the busty reactors that could wipe out all Southern California surf breaks -- if it went Chernobyl.
If history's your thing, check out the old Mission in San Juan Capistrano. OK, it's a tourist trap. But it's an interesting look into the area's past. Five bucks for adults. Guided tours are available. Watch out for the bird shit. For more info, call 949-248-2048.
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All in San Clemente:
B.C. Surfing Design, 222 N. El Camino Real, 949-498-9085
Brad's Foam Shop, 209 Calle de los Molinos, 949-361-2203
Byrning Spears Surfboards, 1321 Calle Valle Suite A, 949-3695739
Dev Surfboards, 207 Calle de los Molinos, 949-366-0703
Dewey Weber Surfboards, 1321 Calle Valle, 949-366-6398
K O Surfboards Fiberglassing, 207 Calle de los Molinos, 949-492-4993
Kaysen Surf Designs, 216 Calle de los Molinos, 949-492-4132
Mc Elroy Surfboards, 136 1/2 Calle de los Molinos, 949-492-2253
Midget Smith, 209 Calle de los Molinos, 949-361-9283
Paskowitz Family Surf Camp, 164 W. Avenida Ramona, 949-361-9283
Rick James Surfboards, 1755 N. El Camino Real, 949-492-2566
Rip Curl Surf Center, 3801 S. El Camino Real, 949-498-4920
Rocky Surf and Sport, 100 S. El Camino Real, 949-361-2946
San Clemente Surf CO, 1755 N. El Camino Real, 949-4925721
San Clemente Surfboards, 2209 1/2 S. El Camino Real, 949-3615885
Stewart Surfboard Manufacturer, 2102 S. El Camino Real, 949-492-1085
Surf More Products Manufacturing, 250 Calle Pintoresco, 949-492-0753
Surfboards by Travis, 1522 Calle Valle, 949-366-9262
T. Patterson Surfboards, 1425 Los Obreros Lane, 949-366-2022
Worldcore, 151 Avenida del Mar, 949-492-6355
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