The surf is more gentle than further down the peninsula toward "the Wedge". Plus, if you time it right, there is a fair amount of free parking on the side streets near the beach. It's also far enough down from Huntington that you avoid the beach ghetto scene. My family usually goes to the beach 2-3 times per week during the summer and this is definitely our go-to beach based on location, travel time and ease of access. There are a lot of other great beaches, but this one works the best for us.