Surf spot

Cylinders

Forecast conditions and map view for Cylinders in USA, California, Orange County. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, California, Orange County
Coordinates: 33.5952, -117.8892

Metric
Metric	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00
Wave height (m)	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.8	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SW	SW	S	S	SW	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Wave period (s)	12.4	12.3	12.2	12.1	12.1	11.9	11.8	11.8	11.8	11.3	8.4	8.3	10.8	11.2	7.8	4.5	5.2	5.3	5.7	5.8	6	6.2	6.2	6.1	6.2	6.2	6.3	6.2	6.2	6	6	6.2	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.2	6.2	6	6	5.9	5.7	13.8	14.1	14.1	14	13.9	13.7	13.3	13.2	12.9	12.6	12.8	13.1	13.1	12.9	12.7
Wave energy (kJ)	179	158	146	135	142	132	122	121	113	105	58	56	91	96	43	20	34	53	62	58	57	61	59	55	73	83	75	67	60	48	42	38	36	38	41	39	37	32	24	22	16	88	92	92	90	97	101	104	109	112	107	102	92	93	83	74
Wind speed (km/h)	14.8	13.1	13.7	16.3	20.2	13.1	11.5	10.8	13.4	12.2	11.4	15	15.9	14.4	11.2	9	8.7	6.5	6.1	13.5	15.2	14.7	11.5	11.7	14	16.2	14.4	16.2	20	19.3	13	15	12.4	13.1	13.2	14	16.3	14.2	12.3	10.9	10.4	8.1	7.6	10.9	14.3	13.1	9.3	6	4.4	4.5	3.9	9.4	14.2	13.4	8.9	7.8
Wind direction	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SWGlassy	WSWGlassy	SWGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWCross	WSWCross-on	SWCross-on

Cylinders is a well-known surf break in Orange County, California, located in the San Onofre / San Clemente area along the southern Orange County coast. It’s part of the classic stretch of surf spots that includes Lowers, Middles, and Church nearby, and it’s valued for its steady, high-quality waves when conditions line up.

What it’s like

Wave type: Mainly a reef/point-style break with long, peeling waves
Best swell direction: Typically does well on south or southwest swells
Best wind: Light offshore or very light wind; clean conditions matter a lot
Skill level: Generally intermediate to advanced
Crowds: Can get busy, especially when the waves are good

Wave characteristics

Cylinders is known for producing powerful, well-shaped waves that can hold some size and offer good walls for turning. When the sand and swell line up, it can deliver clean, organized sets with decent length rides.

Conditions and access

It’s usually best during fall and winter swells, though summer south swells can also work.
Access is tied to the San Onofre/San Clemente coastal area, so surfers often check local access points and conditions before heading out.
Like many spots in this zone, it’s highly tide- and swell-sensitive.

Nearby vibe

The surrounding area has a strong Southern California surf culture feel—laid-back, local, and highly seasonal depending on swell and weather. Because it sits near some of the most famous breaks in the county, surf traffic can be intense on good days.