Surf City USA hosts nine days of elite surfing, beachside fun

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)—The 2025 Lexus US Open of Surfing is set to return on Saturday with the energy and spectacle that’s made it a Southern California summer staple for decades. This year’s event will once again transform the sand south of the Huntington Beach Pier into a festival village.

Recognized as “summer’s biggest surf stage,” this event blends world-class surf with SoCal style, including live music, film screenings, athlete signings and much more. 

The event’s history dates back to the 1950s with the inception of the West Coast Surfing Championships, and it has evolved into the summer tradition it is today. Thousands of spectators attend each year, packing the pier and beach to enjoy a day full of activities and top-tier surf.

Strong San Diego presence in lineup

Surf competition starts daily at 7:35 a.m. and lasts until around 3:35 p.m. until Sunday, Aug. 3. 

This year’s US Open plays a pivotal role in the competitive surf season, serving as stop No. 1 on the World Longboard Tour and No. 3 on the Challenger Series—two major World Surf League tours.

The longboard competition kicks off the event and marks the first of four stops on the tour, which will wrap up in El Salvador this November. Twenty-four men and twenty-four women from around the globe will compete for the 2025 World Longboard Titles. 

Oceanside surfer Taylor Jensen is returning as the defending WSL Longboard champion and event victor alongside San Clemente’s Rachael Tilly.

Depending on surf conditions, the Challenger Series—where surfers are battling to earn a spot on the elite 2026 Championship Tour—could start as early as Tuesday. It’s the third stop of the seven on the tour. 

San Diego will be well represented in both the men’s and women’s Challenger Series competition. Encinitas’ Levi Slawson and Alyssa Spencer and Carlsbad’s Reid Van Wagoner will take the stage alongside fellow Southern California contenders, including the San Clemente crew–Kolohe Andino, Kade Matson and Jett Schilling.

What else to catch

During and in between heats, attendees can enjoy a wide variety of summer activities. Unlike most stops on the tour, the US Open spans nine action-packed days filled with plenty to see and do.

Dozens of booths will fill the beach, offering samples of food, sunscreen and more. Plus, surfing won’t be the only sport enjoyed, there will be surf demos and motocross events as well. Fans can also partake in surf lessons and meet-and-greets throughout the week.

For more information, including the full schedule of activities, visit worldsurfleague.com and usopenofsurfing.com.