Surf: General: When the sand is right and the S swells come marching in at just the right angle, Anderson Street in Surfside can provide high-quality, top-to-bottom, A-frame wedges. A favorite summertime spot for Seal Beach and Huntington Beach surfers, the wave quality largely depends on swell refraction off the Huntington Harbor jetty. The area deals with a lot of sand migration and beach erosion, which means the sandbars are constantly changing, but the main break straight out front of the old water tower is relatively dependable. Low-tide mornings are your best bet, as the NW winds usually get on it by 10 or 11am. The afternoons are generally a blown-out mess during the summer months. Anderson Street is one of those fickle Orange County surf breaks that’s hard to get good, but if you’re lucky enough to rock up on an A+ day, you won’t forget it. Tides: When the tide’s too high, backwash becomes a problem, but as the tide drops, the lineup can be torn apart by big rip currents. Timing is everything here. Size: Chest-high to slightly overhead. Too little swell and it doesn’t get the refraction off the Huntington Harbor jetty. Too much swell and it becomes a washing machine. Wind: E Swell: S Bottom: Shifting sandbars mean that peaks come and go here, but if you’re an eagle eye, chances are you can find an uncrowded wedge to enjoy. Paddling: It’s not a bad paddle when the swell is small, as the waves break relatively close to shore, but when the swell is up and the current starts moving, expect a serious workout. Spot Rating: A classic, hollow California beachbreak that can fire on its day, but it takes some patience and determination to really get it good. Access: Free parking close to the beach. Crowds: Crowd Factor: A favorite spot for the talented local crew, Anderson Street isn’t generally super crowded, but the people that surf there have the spot pretty wired. Local Vibe: The vibes are generally good here, but the gated housing community of Surfside is right on the beach, and a lot of the people that live here surf here, so tread lightly. Environment: The Huntington Harbor is home to a lot of boats, and occasional sewage spills are a reality. Hazards: Rip currents, shallow sandbars, and a family of Great Whites that hang around the mouth of the Huntington Harbor. Season: Prefers a solid S groundswell to turn on, which means summer and early Autumn are your best bets, with late-season S swells especially enticing due to potentially cleaner conditions.