Trestles Compass

rusted rail spike taken directly from the Trestles tracks during a repair, resin, wood letters, various woods, hand turned bowl, Google earth image cut outs  

15 inch diameter. 

“Trestles Compass” is a one-of-a-kind wall sculpture blending reclaimed wood, typography, resin, and vintage surf imagery to capture the iconic essence of Southern California surf culture. This circular, handcrafted mixed-media artwork features layered wood tones framing a resin-encased photo of Trestles Beach and San Mateo Creek, one of the most legendary surf breaks in the world. Along the perimeter, raised Scrabble-style tiles spell out the surfer’s constant reality: “Always Crowded Amazing Waves.”

Embedded in the resin, printed commentary from a classic surf report adds historic grit: “Ridable from 2 feet and up but doesn’t cook until it nears 6+,” and “The floodgates are open… the Trestle will soon look like Malibu — a wall-to-wall body jam.” These clipped quotes nod to both the swell and the crowds, encapsulating the surf culture at Lower Trestles—a spot revered for its consistency, its competitive edge, and its undeniable chaos.

the compass letters are aligned with the direction the beach actually faces. 

This piece is a love letter to the Southern California surf scene, crafted with meticulous attention to tactile textures, coastal iconography, and cultural nostalgia. Perfect for collectors of surf art, lovers of vintage beach décor, or anyone who has ever paddled out at Trestles only to find a lineup already packed.