JULY 28 - AUGUST 5, 2012 at Huntington Beach Pier

The scene in the photo above shows crowds converging on the final day of the U.S. Open of Surfing. On the last Sunday in which the event wraps up, one male surfer is determined to be the best of show and that individuals wins a large cash draw of thousands of dollars. By 10 a.m. the beaches and Huntington Beach Pier fill up with thousands of spectators (an estimated 100,000 in a single day) who jockey for position to see the Pacific Ocean where the World Qualifying Series surfers try to catch waves and perform tricks that garner points for execution of the rides.

This annual event is absolutely free to attend, but the parking is can present challenges. If you simply want to watch great surfers and surfing, and you don't need to be there for the final day in which the winner is selected, attend early on and chances are you'll see much of the great surfing, minus the crowds and final day tension.