Surf: General: Diehards swear by this classic "Surf City" break, claiming it's the ultimate wave; while others just laugh and say the contest organizers can have it every day of the year for all they care. But anyone who stumbles upon a peaky swell with Santa Ana winds here would probably side with the diehards.

While most outsiders think of the South Side of Huntington Beach Pier as a summer hot spot, that’s not always the case. Locals say it works better during winter, when NW swells wrap around the pier to create peaky rights.

If you've ever watched any of the thousands of surfing competitions here over the years, you known that the South Side can be less than ideal during summer. It blows out easily, with prevailing south or westerly winds arriving from 10am-1pm. The wave lacks gusto at high tide, producing the famous trench between the outside bar and the shorebreak that inspired the term, "Huntington Hop." And during larger swells, surfers are often dealing with a 200-yard-long closeout where they're lucky to squeeze in one or two maneuvers out the back. That said, with the right bars, the right winds, the right tide and the right swell, the South Side does get good. Tides: medium Size: shoulder-high to 3 feet overhead Wind: NE, Santa Anas, Southside of pier offers some protection from WNW wind and Northside from SE wind Swell: Combo of swells SSE, S, SW with WSW, W, WNW Bottom: Sand Paddling: Pretty average most days, but can be brutal on a strong south or northwest swell with current. Spot Rating: Pierbowl is typically better than anything happening down the beach. Access: Free parking on side streets and meters. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Zoo at the pier and Cliffs, everyone is spread out elsewhere. Local Vibe: Can be heavy at the pier. Environment: Not great after a rain. Hazards: Locals at the pier, pier pilings, current. Season: January-December, but fall can be epic.