Best Surfing Spots in the Santa Cruz Area

One of the best aspects of living in Santa Cruz are the sandy shores and clear waters of Monterey Bay. World renowned for its beauty, the countless beaches here are truly something to behold. More than just a visual wonder, the ocean also provides exciting adventures and activities.


One of the most popular things to do in Santa Cruz is surfing. Nicknamed Surf City, it stands to reason that the area offers some of the best surfing in the country. For anyone moving here, or who does live here, secret surfing spots are constantly being discovered. Everyone has their favorite surfing spot, but with so many available options, there’s waves for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out, or ready for the pro tour, the surfing in Santa Cruz is world class.


Here are just a few of the best surfing spots in the Santa Cruz, California area.

Cowells

109 Beach Street, Santa Cruz

Cowells is one of the most popular beaches in the Santa Cruz area. This makes for an incredibly vibrant atmosphere, with plenty of room on the beach, restaurants, and the Cowells Beach Surf Shop.


This may be a bit too busy for serious surfers, but it’s one of the best places to learn how to stand on a board. The waters provide decent waves that are just high enough to be surfable, while having calm areas for paddleboarding and other water activities.


Cowells is just minutes from the heart of Santa Cruz, so a day trip here is easy and a blast for every member of the family. Make sure to check out the surf cam installed at Cowells Beach to see what the weather and waves are looking like.

Capitola Jetty

San Jose Ave & Esplanade, Capitola

Capitola has several amazing surf spots, and Capitola Jetty is certainly a favourite. What makes this beach so special is that there’s a reef break in the water which only sporadically allows for ideal surfing conditions.


When conditions are calm, swimmers, snorkelers, and paddleboards take advantage of this tranquil area. The reef, currents, and wind patterns all have to be in the perfect place for perfect surfing, and when it is, there’s great surfing for beginners.

Manresa State Beach

1445 San Andreas Rd, Watsonville

State protected, the Manresa State Beach in Watsonville is always in pristine condition. Residents and visitors enjoy this amazing space that is often frequented by paddleboarders, boogie-boarders, and of course, surfers.


The solid beach break here offers suffering with breaks coming from all directions, with sandbars, peaks, and valleys to navigate around. Santa Cruz communities, like Capitola, tend to have the most people out on the water when the sun is shining, and one positive about Manresa Beach is that it never feels overcrowded.


Enjoy a picnic with the family, soaring views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and hanging ten on some of the best waves in California.

Mavericks

Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay

Mavericks Beach might be an hour away from Santa Cruz, but it’s well worth the trip.


The waves here are definitely for experts only, as they are gargantuan. Even if you’re not ready to surf them, or can’t surf at all, it’s worth the trip just to see them. The waves here can reach up to 60 feet in the right conditions.


Really only the best surfers in the world are able to paddle out onto the waters here, but it’s too great not to mention. It really goes to show the impressive landscape of the Santa Cruz area, and the diverse range of surfing spots that appeal to all skill levels.

Steamer Lane

West Cliff, Santa Cruz

Last on this list, but certainly not least, is Steamer Lane.


The waves here are never too crowded because these hazardous waves are meant only for great surfers who know exactly what they’re doing. If you are a quality surfer with years of experience and proven talent, it doesn’t get much more fun than the waves here. Spectators often gather near the beaches here to watch the best surfers in Santa Cruz hang ten. The boardwalk, and the nearby cliffs, offer amazing vantage points to view the action.


There are four unique parts of Steamer Lane that offer different kinds of waves for different skill levels. Indicators, Middle Peak, The Slot, and The Point are all equally great and equally popular surfing spots.


Whether you surf or not, Steamer lane is quintessential Santa Cruz and is a must visit for any visitor or resident.


If you're interested in learning more about the real estate market here in Santa Cruz, begin your search by exploring the real estate listings today!

Posted by Lauren Spencer on
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