As my residence is 2h from So. Maine / New Hampshire beaches and 3 from Rhode Island, half the battle is logistics: it's all about the forecast, with a weather-eye on the wifely permission-meter. Rye is the closest and my go-to, for consistency, community and convenience (close parking, shower in summer, surf shop/cafe across the street . . .). Great vibe at Rye, and a chance to practice my rusty language skills on the Quebec contingent, some of whom are always there (from 4 hours away) whenever there is swell. Only the Rye sunrise pic is my own, and I have zero pics of myself surfing.
These are the usual suspects, from North to South:

Long Sands Beach, York, Maine (good protection from a North wind)

Moose loose on Long Sands, York, Maine

Rye, New Hampshire: beach break sunrise (the only one of these that is my own photo)

Rye parking lot in winter; dude on the left is one of the friendly brothers who own the surf shop across the street

2nd Beach, Newport, Rhode Island

Matunuck, Rhode Island - the only reef break I have surfed so far (room enough for noobs, unlike New Hampshire's tight takeoff zones)