Dawn patrol surfing in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach, California

Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.

First light in Huntington Beach means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 8 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

6:21 AM
First Light: 5:51 AM

Day length: 10h 32m

-1 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

6:21 AM

First light: 5:51 AM

Sunset

4:53 PM

Last light: 5:23 PM

Data from Bolsa Chica State Beach · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

Today(Today)

Sunrise

6:21 AM

Sunset

4:53 PM

Day Length

10h 32m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

6:22 AM

Sunset

4:52 PM

Day Length

10h 30m

Fri, Nov 13

Sunrise

6:23 AM

Sunset

4:52 PM

Day Length

10h 28m

Sat, Nov 14

Sunrise

6:24 AM

Sunset

4:51 PM

Day Length

10h 27m

Best dawn patrol spots in Huntington Beach

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Featured Beaches(8)

Bolsa Chica State Beach

Intermediate

Bolsa Chica State Beach is a three-mile run of sand beach break along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, from Seapoint Avenue north to Warner Avenue. Peaks break left and right and shift with the sandbars. It works best on a southwest groundswell with northeast offshore wind, mid tide is the usual pick, and it tends to close out once the swell gets bigger. The outside waves break slowly, so smaller days suit beginners and longboarders. This pin sits off Tower 21, near the middle of the beach.

Goldenwest

Beginner friendly

North HB Streets is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

HB Cliffs

Intermediate

HB Cliffs is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier

Advanced

Huntington Beach Pier is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier Northside

Intermediate

Huntington Beach Pier Northside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier Southside

Intermediate

Huntington Beach Pier Southside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington St.

Intermediate

Huntington St. is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Huntington State Beach

Beginner friendly

Huntington State Beach is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Dawn patrol access guide for Huntington Beach

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

Bolsa Chica State Beach is a three-mile run of sand beach break along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, from Seapoint Avenue north to Warner Avenue. Peaks break left and right and shift with the sandbars. It works best on a southwest groundswell with northeast offshore wind, mid tide is the usual pick, and it tends to close out once the swell gets bigger. The outside waves break slowly, so smaller days suit beginners and longboarders. This pin sits off Tower 21, near the middle of the beach.

Early access

The main entrance is off Pacific Coast Highway, with paid day-use parking along the beach (cashless). The park is open 6 AM to 10 PM and entry gates close at 9 PM. Restrooms, outdoor showers and fire rings are along the beach. Lifeguards patrol year-round, and towers are staffed roughly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There is no black ball here, so surfing is allowed all day. Dogs are not allowed on the sand.

Goldenwest
beach
beginner-intermediate
3.9(17)

North HB Streets is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Early access

Primary public access is from the Goldenwest/Seapoint blufftop corridor via stairs or ramps down to the beach.

Parking

Use the city blufftop day-use parking between Goldenwest and Seapoint; metered and neighborhood parking can also be part of the routine depending on entry.

HB Cliffs
beach
intermediate
3.7(17)

HB Cliffs is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Early access

Check current path conditions because the city documented bluff-related path narrowing in this corridor.

Parking

Use the blufftop lot between Goldenwest and Seapoint or the Dog Beach lot at Seapoint depending on the exact access point.

Huntington Beach Pier
jetty
intermediate-advanced
4.2(6)

Huntington Beach Pier is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

3.6(14)

Huntington Beach Pier Northside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Early access

Stay well clear of pier pilings and the main rotation.

Parking

Downtown and pier parking fill quickly; beginners should avoid carrying boards through peak crowd hours.

4.1(17)

Huntington Beach Pier Southside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Early access

Use the south-beach access points and keep beginners well away from the main southside takeoff.

Parking

The most direct public parking option is the south-beach municipal lot system with entrances at First Street, Huntington Street, and Beach Boulevard.

Huntington St.
beach
intermediate
3.8(17)

Huntington St. is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Early access

Access from the Huntington Street side of the municipal lot is straightforward, but convenience alone does not make this a beginner recommendation.

Parking

Use the municipal south-beach lot entrances, including the Huntington Street entry.

Huntington State Beach
beach
beginner-intermediate
4.0(17)

Huntington State Beach is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Early access

Use the marked ramps and multi-use trail crossings rather than cutting across traffic lanes or berms.

Parking

Choose your lot by cross street; the official maps show Beach, Newland, Magnolia, and Brookhurst serving the state beach lots.

Dawn patrol tips

  • Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
  • Less crowded lineups at sunrise
  • East-facing beaches for sunrise views
  • Spots with easy parking for early arrivals

Surf Guides for Huntington Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Huntington Beach

Dawn patrol in Huntington Beach typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.