When the water warms up and the south swells start rolling in, there’s nowhere better to be than SoCal. We’re lucky to call this stretch of coast home—and if you’re chasing clean lines, salty sunrises, and full days in board shorts, here are three breaks that always deliver. Just don’t drop in on your friends. Or do… but make it funny.
1. 56th Street – Newport Beach (potentially biased)
If you know, you know. 56th is a summer staple. This Newport classic serves up punchy, fast peaks that draw a tight crew of locals and frothers alike. It’s not the mellowest wave, but that’s part of the charm—this spot is for those who like a little spice with their speed.
Expect peaky A-frames, warm water, and a heavy pack when it's firing. Show up early (before the electric bikes start buzzing), pull on your favorite board shorts, and don’t be afraid to paddle deep. When it’s on, 56th dishes out rampy rights and dreamy lefts that’ll keep your stoke tank full.
IPD tip: Post-session, cruise down to Alta for a burrito or catch a sunset skate down the boardwalk. Bonus points if you rock your Evergreen Flannel on the walk home—Newport evenings hit different.
2. Lower Trestles – San Clemente
Lowers. The dream. This wave is as high-performance as it gets and might just be the best cobblestone canvas on the planet. If you’ve never surfed it, make this the summer you change that.
It’s a bit of a hike (1.5 miles from the parking lot), but that just keeps the weak legs out. Once you’re down there, it’s glassy peaks and long, carvable walls all day long. South swells light this place up, and with the right tide, you’ll get more turns in one session than you will in a week anywhere else.
Boardshorts are basically the uniform here. Water’s warm, vibes are high, and the wave is just begging for you to go rail to rail. Bring your A-game, and maybe your small-wave slayer too—Lowers has range, but it rewards precision.
IPD tip: Pack light. Pierside Cord in the backpack for the walk out, and some good vibes for the lineup. Leave the ego at home—just let your surfing do the talking.
3. The Pier – Huntington Beach
It wouldn’t be a proper summer roundup without HB Pier. Home to the US Open, this spot is part arena, part wave, and all energy. From dawn patrol to late-afternoon wind chop, there’s always something going down—whether it’s a backhand clinic from the groms or a pro casually threading through a crowd.
The north side of the pier offers punchy rights, while the south side throws up some long, skatey lefts. It’s one of the most consistent breaks in SoCal, so even on a “bad” day, it’s still a blast. Don’t let the crowd throw you—it’s a good mix of locals, learners, and low-key rippers. Find your pocket and go to work in your board shorts and a smile.
IPD tip: Style points count here. Throw on the Evergreen or Pierside post-surf, grab a coffee on Main, and soak up the energy. If you're lucky, you'll catch a random contest or a film crew working on their next edit.
Bonus Spot: The Wedge – Newport Beach
Let’s be clear—The Wedge is not for the faint of heart. When a big south swell shows up, so does every charger within a 100-mile radius, all hoping to snag a mutant wedge to sand-sucking pit combo. It’s heavy, it’s loud, and it’s as Newport as it gets.
You don’t surf the Wedge in just any board shorts—you better bring a pair that stays on. No leash, no foamies, just raw energy and serious commitment. Even if you’re not paddling out, it’s worth a front-row seat to watch the madness go down.
IPD tip: Know your limits. And if you’re just spectating? Grab a coffee, wear your loudest IPD tee, and enjoy the show. You’ll see everything from body surfers getting launched to skis pulling guys out of danger. Pure chaos. Pure summer.
