Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach is Surf City USA—the epicenter of American surf culture that has hosted the US Open of Surfing and shaped the sport's identity for generations. The pier and surrounding peaks produce remarkably consistent waves, catching both winter northwest swells and summer southern hemisphere energy. This accessibility means crowds that can make every session a contact sport, but also means there's always someone to surf with and an energy that defines California beach culture. The wide sandy beach, vibrant downtown, and year-round warmth create the quintessential SoCal surf experience.
Huntington Beach surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Direction range
- 240° - 300°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.5m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
9/10
Access: Easy beach access. Pier and multiple peaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach is a beach break in Orange County, USA, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach picks up swell from the WSW round to the WNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the W. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. S swells in summer provide fun waves. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Huntington Beach?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Huntington Beach, and anything from the N round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Huntington Beach?
Huntington Beach is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Huntington Beach?
The most reliable run of swell at Huntington Beach comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr to May and Sep too. Winter NW swells best. Summer S swells also work.
How cold is the water at Huntington Beach?
The water at Huntington Beach averages around 17°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Huntington Beach good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 9/10), so mind the pecking order. Very crowded, especially at pier. Strong rips during big swells.
How do I get to Huntington Beach?
The nearest airport on our list is SNA, then it's roughly a 20-minute drive. Easy beach access. Pier and multiple peaks.
What other surf spots are near Huntington Beach?
The closest breaks we track are The Wedge (13 km), Lower Trestles (48 km) and San Onofre (51 km), handy when Huntington Beach isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May, Sep
Winter NW swells best. Summer S swells also work.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
The Wedge
⚠️ Newport's beast • Jetty wedge chaos • Shore break fury
Lower Trestles
🏆 World's best high-performance • Cobblestone perfection • Pro proving grounds
San Onofre
🏕️ Original surf camp • Mellow longboard • Old-school soul
Malibu
🏄 California icon • Surfboard birthplace • Summer perfection
Oceanside
🌊 Pier consistency • All-level access • Working-class waves
Swami's
🕉️ Spiritual surf • Temple backdrop • Year-round quality