Surfside Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
SSE, S, WSW; W prefers mid and long-period 16sec+
Wind
Glassy, E, or NE Santa Anas
Surf Height
shoulder-high to 3 feet overhead
Tide
mid to high
Surfside Surf Guide
The story goes that before founding Surfline, when Sean Collins was just developing his passion for surf forecasting, he used to sit up on the roof of his Surfside house and time south swells hitting the Huntington Harbor jetty with a stopwatch. Located just south of Seal Beach, the gated community of Surfside offers a unique and interesting study of wave dynamics and refraction. A sandy beachbreak, during the summer months large south swells hammer the Huntington Harbor jetty and the energy bounces off, creating perfect A-frame wedges in two distinct spots known as “The Bowl” and “The Hole.” A popular spot with the dedicated local crew, Surfside is best early in the morning on a lower tide. The onshore northwest winds can be unrelenting here in the summer after about 10:00am.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Intermediate to advanced
Local Vibe
Doable
Can be heavy.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Peaks off the jetty are highly contested.
Spot Rating
Fun
Rippable wedges slingshotting off the jetty.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
When it's on, you'll be working.
Water Quality
Fair
Not great after a rain and watch out for tar.
Hazards
Parking on PCH and running through guard gate, stingrays, baby white sharks.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish, Bodyboard, Gun
Access
Park at Anderson St. and walk up the beach or have an in with someone that lives in the gated community right out front.
Bottom
Sand
Best Season
Best on solid W or NW swells November-February, but can be good on solid S swells.
Do you have local knowledge about Surfside?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]