Huntington Beach Pier Northside

The northside waves form along a sand bottom that produces both left and right-breaking peaks. The right-hand wave tends to be more pronounced and can form a sharp wedge near the pier pilings with occasional barrels on larger south swells, while the left runs longer up the beach with a more gradual shape. The spot responds well to south, southwest, and west-facing swells paired with northeast offshore winds, and maintains workable conditions across most tide ranges though the waves shape up best at low to mid tide. Intermediate to advanced surfers generally find more consistent shape, particularly when swells build, as stronger currents and rip activity near the pier pilings can be demanding.

Huntington Beach Pier has hosted organized surfing since George Freeth introduced the sport during a demonstration in 1914, with Duke Kahanamoku helping popularize it during a visit in 1925. The pier became a focus of competitive surfing in 1959 when the West Coast Surfboard Championship began there, and Jack Haley's memorable feat of shooting the pier twice in a single ride that year became part of local lore. The event evolved into the OP Pro in 1982 and eventually the U.S. Open of Surfing in 1994, which continues annually as one of the world's largest surfing competitions.

Parking is available through the Pier Plaza lots occupying the blocks between First and Seventh Streets directly adjacent to the pier, using a pay-by-plate system (typically around fifteen dollars per day during peak season). The pier is located at 325 Pacific Coast Highway at Main Street, with additional metered street parking available along the highway. Hazards beyond the existing currents and crowds include intense backwash and circulating currents during larger swells, periodic pollution concerns, and seasonal marine life activity.