Spot Check: The Cliffs in HB

Orangecounty.com asked me to write a series on our great local surf spots and how to get the most out of your surf day at our local breaks. So I asked if I could start right out of my front door - and since I live on 19th Street and PCH in Huntington Beach, the Cliffs seem like the right spot to highlight.
 
The Cliffs of Huntington Beach is a nice year-round break. It can pick up a swell from 180 degress to 280 degrees - which means you can get the South, South by SouthWest, West, West by North West, and if the surf gods are shinning on you, it even picks up a steep North at 280 degrees.

 
The Cliffs at its best is on a SSW, and if it's 6' or over, it will hold when most of North OC is closing out. If you happen on The Cliffs at 6' or over, you might have the chance to see a break that only the locals know about - Cable Cars or Trolley Cars - depends on how old the local is  who you are talking to. Cable Cars is a man-made reef, created by old HB Cable Cars that used to run the streets back in the 20's through the 40's. It sits out about 50 yards past the outside break of The Cliffs, and only the bravest of men go out there to catch a triple overhead and get pitted.
 
When coming to surf The Cliffs, bring your credit card or dollar bills for metered parking. With only two entry points to the parking lot, you need to look for it between Sea Point and Golden West on PCH - about two miles north of the HB Pier.

There is a local group that surfs here and they are very tight, but if you come with much Aloha and no atittude they will surf and laugh with you all day long. You will have a little fun getting to the water: first you will scale down a cliff side to the sand, then watch out for landmines (this surf spot is also dog beach). Once you get to the water, you are clear and free. If you bring your girlfriend, do her a favor and bring your dog too. You will need to have two gallons of water with you because there are no showers here.
 
Most locals after a two-hour session have the major eats in mind, and like every good surf break there must be a Mexican Food place near by. Cruise south on PCH to 17th street and hook a left.  Up two streets is Feista Grill - or us locals call it Carlos' ( he runs the place). It's the best Mexican food within 15 blocks of The Cliffs. If you are not ready to call it a day and are looking for a cold one, Redz is two doors down and where you will find most locals who you just surfed with.
 
Aloha,
 
John Salanoa

Surfline has a detailed breakdown of this spot and you can always check the surf on their live cam's before you head out