Surf: A beefy, unpredictable sandbar left that breaks during the winter on big W and NW swells. Steep and hollow; epic rides are possible. Crowded when it’s on. Gnarly currents and shorepound. Not the most consistent spot in the county. Low tide preferred. Holds bigger than double-overhead. Directions: Access is at the foot of 13th Street in Seal Beach. Surf: General: While there are a number of consistently better waves within a 10-minute drive of the pier, Seal Beach typically has fun (if not overwhelming) peaks on offer. During huge west swells when the sand is perfect, this normally average beach break can turn into a dredging slab. Tides: Low to Mid tide. Size: Waist-high to overhead. Wind: NE Swell: W Bottom: Sand. Paddling: Typical beach break paddle out. Spot Rating: Average beach break, except for the rare, XL El Nino swell with perfect sand. Access: Public parking at pier. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Normally pretty crowded, especially when the sand is good. Local Vibe: Not the most welcoming crowd in Southern California, but also doesn't get good that often, so things remain civil. Environment: You are in the middle of Orange County, with river mouths and Long Beach nearby. Be careful after rain storms. Hazards: Runoff, pollution, sting rays. Season: Big west swells during an El Nino winter transform this otherwise average beach break into something noteworthy.