Huntington Beach Pier Northside Surf Guide

Surf spot guide

Ideal Surf Conditions

Swell Direction

Combo of swells SSE, S, SW with WSW, W, WNW

Wind

NE, Santa Anas, Northside of pier offers some protection from SE wind

Surf Height

shoulder- to 3 feet overhead

Tide

medium

Huntington Beach Pier Northside Surf Guide

Huntington Beach is the alleged Surf City: a land of palm trees, riots, reform madness, body art, heat sheets, pink stucco, and a surfing Walk of Fame. Huntington, like many of Hollywood's sagging heroes of yesteryear, has undergone some major cosmetic surgery over the past few years. The Pier alone has been reconstructed some half dozen times. Mom-and-pop liquor stores and surf shops have transformed into block-sized palaces equipped with movie theaters, health food and top-rate surf goods. Like it or not, the days of Huntington as a mellow little surf town are over. Despite all the surrounding changes, the waves remain unchanged. Diehards swear by the break, claiming it's the ultimate surfer's wave, and others just laugh and say that contest organizers can have it every day of the year, for all they care. Whatever the case, there are still classic California days to be had at the Pier. Just wake up early one morning and if it's a peaky swell with Santa Ana winds, you'll side with the diehards. The division between the two main breaks is a logical one.

Ability Level

All Abilities

BegIntAdv

beginner to advanced, above average at the pier

Local Vibe

Welcoming

WelcomingIntimidating

Can be heavy at the pier, a few grumps at Cliffs, otherwise mild

Crowd Factor

Moderate

MellowHeavy

zoo at the pier and Cliffs, everyone is spread out elsewhere

Spot Rating

Fun

PoorPerfect

7

Shoulder Burn

Medium

LightExhausting

6, but can be a 10 on a south swell current

Water Quality

Fair

CleanDirty

6, and State Beach can be a 10 near the Santa Ana River if it's flowing.

Hazards

Locals at the pier, pier pilings, car rip-offs at Cliffs, Southerly current, loose longboards at South Bolsa, baby white sharks at the Huntington Flats.

Bring Your

Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish

Access

free parking on side streets and meters

Bottom

sand

Best Season

year-round, but fall can be epic

Do you have local knowledge about Huntington Beach Pier Northside?

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