With the help of a talking freeway billboard, a "wacky weatherman" tries to win the heart of an English newspaper reporter, who is struggling to make sense of the strange world of early-90s Los Angeles.

It is the final weekend of summer and a group of Californian teenagers are looking forward to an upcoming surf contest. Rival gangs the 'Vals' and the 'Lowks' are confident that they will take home the trophy, but things become complicated when Reef Yorpin - leader of the Lawks - discovers his sister Allie has fallen in love with 'Val' surfer Nick after meeting at a beach party.