Right in Orange County, Southern California, Huntington Pier is a world-renowned, fun wave that breaks over sand on both sides of a pier. Some waves here can be challenging and break for up to 50 meters, providing sections for turns and airs. There has been a lot of history here, the US Open of Surfing is held here every year: a spectacle all should attend at least once. Each wave breaks into the pier, lefts on the north side and rights on the south side. This is the spot that made “shooting the pier” famous, although we do not recommend trying it without a helmet and bubble wrap on.
What are the best surf conditions for Huntington Pier?
Gets good between waist high and triple overhead. We recommend a shortboard for this spot. The waves here are best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers. The surf here is pretty consistent (6/10) and will be pretty jammed, especially in summer (8/10). The best winds come from the Northeast, the best swells from the Northwest, South, Southwest, and West. It works on all tides but prefers med level ones.
We recommend wearing a 3/2 in the summer when water temps rise to a pleasant 20 degrees. In the winter a 4/3 might be preferred when water temps drop to 15 degrees. See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
