Los Angeles County California International Surf Festival

International Surf is one of the signature gatherings in Los Angeles County, California, and it draws a crowd from across the area each year. During International Surf, held at the festival grounds, the festival blends the food, music, and crafts that define the region.

Part hometown reunion and part open invitation, International Surf gives visitors an easy way into local life in Hermosa Beach. During International Surf, whether you come for the food, the music, or simply the atmosphere, the day offers plenty to enjoy.

International Surf: Quick Facts

Location	Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles County, California
Typical timing	Festival season
Admission	Free to attend
Setting	Los Angeles County, California
Features	Food, live music, vendors, and family activities
Organizer	Local volunteers and community groups

History and Origins

International Surf traces its beginnings to a local celebration in Los Angeles County that outgrew its first venue and became a regional draw.

Each generation has added something to International Surf, but the festival has never lost the thread that connects it to the community in Hermosa Beach.

For another look at how a community turns its own traditions into a gathering, see the Los Angeles County California Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival for a useful comparison.

What to See and Do

Visitors to International Surf move easily between attractions at the festival grounds, from the main stage to the craft rows and the children’s area.

The program at International Surf is designed to keep the whole grounds lively, with something happening in every corner throughout the day.

Food and Drink

Local vendors bring the flavors of Los Angeles County to the festival grounds for International Surf, and the results are worth the trip alone.

Whether you favor the savory or the sweet, the food at International Surf delivers, and the lines tend to move quickly.

Live Music and Entertainment

International Surf uses its stages well, programming performances that keep the energy up from open to close at the festival grounds.

Local acts get a real audience at International Surf, and the mix of styles gives the day its character in Los Angeles County.

Making It Work With Kids

International Surf suits families, and the trick is to go at a child’s pace around the festival grounds. During International Surf, pick a few must-dos in Hermosa Beach, then let the rest of the day unfold.

Keep an eye on the schedule of International Surf for performances or activities aimed at children, and build your timing around them.

With snacks, water, and a flexible plan, International Surf is a good day out for families in Los Angeles County.

Label a meeting point at the festival grounds the moment you arrive, and the day at International Surf stays low-stress.

Getting Around Comfortably

International Surf is laid out for foot traffic, and most visitors cover the grounds at the festival grounds easily in a few hours.

Restrooms, water, and shade are the three things to locate first at International Surf, then settle into the day.

Because International Surf is compact, walking distances in Los Angeles County stay reasonable throughout.

A folding chair is welcome at many parts of International Surf, giving you a place to rest around the festival grounds.

A Weekend or a Day

International Surf works as a day trip or as the center of a longer stay in Los Angeles County. During International Surf, either way, leave room to see a little more than the event alone.

With Hermosa Beach as your base, you can enjoy International Surf at the festival grounds and still find time for the surrounding countryside.

Whether you come for an afternoon or a weekend, International Surf and Hermosa Beach together fill the time well.

Stay for sunset after International Surf, and the Los Angeles County landscape rewards you with its best light.

Packing for the Day

Because International Surf is largely outdoors around the festival grounds, the forecast matters. During International Surf, Festival season in Los Angeles County rewards a flexible wardrobe and sensible shoes.

A hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle are the basics for International Surf, and a light layer handles the cooler edges of the day.

Pack for the weather and for walking, and International Surf becomes an easy, comfortable outing.

A refillable bottle keeps costs down at International Surf and keeps you moving around the festival grounds.

Live Acts and Atmosphere

The entertainment at International Surf gives the festival grounds its energy, from opening acts to the evening headliners.

Wander between stages at International Surf and you will hear something new each time.

Music ties the whole of International Surf together, connecting the food, the vendors, and the crowd.

A schedule in hand lets you catch every act you want at International Surf without rushing around the festival grounds.

Food Highlights

Expect a broad menu at International Surf, from handheld fair food to dishes that reflect the region’s cooking. During International Surf, the stalls near the festival grounds are the place to start.

Save room for dessert at International Surf, since the sweet options are often the highlight of the day.

Sampling widely is the strategy at International Surf, and Los Angeles County gives you plenty of reasons to.

Hydrate between courses at International Surf, since a full day is thirsty work.

Navigating the Festival

A first walk around International Surf helps you get your bearings at the festival grounds before the crowds build.

The grounds of International Surf are compact, which keeps walking distances short for families and older visitors.

Staff and volunteers at International Surf can point you toward whatever you are looking for at the festival grounds.

Start at one end of the festival grounds and work across International Surf, and you will see everything without backtracking.

Finding the Festival Grounds

Everything for International Surf happens around the festival grounds, so once you are in Los Angeles County the festival is hard to miss. During International Surf, the grounds are laid out for walking.

Parking near the festival grounds is first-come, first-served, and the closest spaces go quickly on the day of International Surf.

The area around the festival grounds in Hermosa Beach is compact, so once you have parked you can leave the car for the rest of International Surf and explore on foot.

At International Surf, a map of Hermosa Beach saved offline helps, since parts of Los Angeles County have spotty signal on the way to the festival grounds.

Getting Involved and Volunteering

International Surf runs on volunteers, and organizers welcome help with setup, vending, and cleanup. During International Surf, many who pitch in return year after year.

Nonprofits and clubs from Los Angeles County often staff booths at the festival grounds, turning International Surf into a fundraiser for local causes.

If you want to give back, ask about volunteer roles before International Surf arrives; organizers usually post openings early.

Sponsoring or staffing a booth at International Surf is a way for local businesses to reach a large crowd around the festival grounds.

Keeping Costs Down

A day at International Surf need not be expensive; many of the best parts are free once you are through the gate at the festival grounds.

Set a budget for International Surf, bring water, and treat the food as the main splurge.

Parking, browsing, and the entertainment at International Surf often cost little, which keeps the day affordable in Hermosa Beach.

Splitting portions and sharing snacks at International Surf stretches a family budget further.

Crafts and Vendors

The vendor area at International Surf is one of its pleasures, with booths around the festival grounds offering handmade goods. The mix changes each year.

If you see something you like at International Surf, buy it then. During International Surf, popular items at county festivals often sell out by the end of the day.

From art to apparel, the vendors at International Surf cover a wide range for visitors to browse.

Ask about the materials behind a piece at International Surf, and the maker’s story around the festival grounds adds value.

Parking and Traffic Notes

Parking around the festival grounds fills up fast on the busiest day of International Surf, so plan to arrive with time to spare.

Traffic into Hermosa Beach builds through the morning of International Surf, so an earlier start avoids the worst of it.

At International Surf, if the main lots at the festival grounds are full, side streets and overflow areas around Los Angeles County usually absorb the rest.

Ridesharing and carpooling both ease the crunch around the festival grounds during International Surf.

Making a Weekend of It

International Surf pairs well with an overnight stay, letting you take in the festival at the festival grounds and the surrounding area at an easy pace.

Book early for International Surf, and check whether your lodging is within walking distance of the grounds.

A weekend built around International Surf gives you time to enjoy the area without rushing.

An early arrival lets you settle in before International Surf begins at the festival grounds.

Getting the Most

Start at one end of the festival grounds and move steadily through International Surf, and you will cover more ground with less effort.

Check the schedule when you arrive at International Surf, mark a couple of must-sees, and leave the rest open.

A relaxed pace suits International Surf best, so resist the urge to rush through the grounds at the festival grounds.

Stake out a spot at the festival grounds before the headline set, and International Surf becomes a front-row experience.

Why This Festival Matters

Gatherings like International Surf are how a community tells its own story. During International Surf, the event draws on Los Angeles County’s identity and turns it into something visitors can share for a day.

International Surf is a reminder that the best festivals grow from a place rather than being dropped onto it, and that is what makes the trip to the festival grounds worth it.

Supporting International Surf supports the town, since the money and the energy stay close to home.

Every year, International Surf renews the bond between the people of Los Angeles County and the place they call home.

Admission and Value

International Surf admission: Free to attend. During International Surf, the value is in the setting and the lineup rather than a big ticket price, which keeps the day approachable for families in Los Angeles County.

Set a budget for food and shopping at International Surf, and check ahead for any paid extras such as tastings, rides, or a 5K.

Because International Surf is community-run in Los Angeles County, much of what you spend stays local, which adds to the value.

Check the International Surf website for current details, since prices in Hermosa Beach can change from year to year.

Timing Your Visit

Morning at International Surf is best for browsing the vendors at the festival grounds, while the afternoon suits the stages and the crowd.

If you want to avoid the crush, visit International Surf early or linger into the evening in Hermosa Beach.

The pace of International Surf shifts through the day, so decide whether you prefer the calm or the buzz.

Families often find the early hours of International Surf easiest, before the midday heat and crowds at the festival grounds.

What Makes It Special

What sets International Surf apart is the way the whole community turns out for it at the festival grounds.

The details of International Surf, from the decorations to the music, reflect the character of Los Angeles County.

People return to International Surf because it feels like a reunion as much as a festival.

The atmosphere at International Surf is what visitors remember, long after the last vendor at the festival grounds packs up.

Festival Area Map

The map below shows the location of International Surf at the festival grounds in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles County, California, along with the key approaches for planning your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is International Surf held?

International Surf is held each year, typically on a weekend.

Where does International Surf take place?

International Surf takes place at the festival grounds in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles County, California.

Is there an admission fee?

Admission to International Surf: Free to attend.

What can I expect at International Surf?

At International Surf, expect food vendors, live entertainment, craft and merchandise booths, and family activities.

Is International Surf family-friendly?

Yes. International Surf offers activities for all ages, and children are welcome.

Who organizes International Surf?

International Surf is organized by local volunteers and community organizations in Los Angeles County.

What to Expect From the Next International Surf

Is International Surf held every year?

Yes, International Surf is an annual event.

When is the next International Surf?

The next International Surf is expected each year. During International Surf, check with the organizers in Los Angeles County for the confirmed date.

Does the International Surf schedule change?

The performers, vendors, and activities at International Surf change from year to year.

Last updated: October 2026

International Surf shows Hermosa Beach at its most welcoming. During International Surf, arrive early, stay late, and let the day unfold at the festival grounds.