Best Surf Beaches in Santa Cruz

One of California's most iconic waves, Steamer Lane is a series of right-hand reef points (Indicators, Middle Peak, and Slot). It offers long walls and powerful sections and is best tackled by experienced surfers comfortable with crowds and cliffs.

38th Avenue, also called Jack's by some surf reports and locals, is a user-friendly right reef that handles south and west swells. It offers long rides at lower tide and is popular with longboarders and groms.

The crown jewel of Santa Cruz's East Side, Pleasure Point is a long right point over reef offering multiple sections, from First Peak to Sewers. It's surfable year-round and accommodates longboards and shortboards depending on swell size.

The Hook is the canonical East Cliff/41st Avenue reef break historically tied to Rockview. This punchy right reef sits between Pleasure Point and 38th Avenue, works on south and west swells, and is best suited to intermediate surfers comfortable with rocks, crowds, and a tighter takeoff.

A reefy cove along West Cliff Drive that offers wedgy peaks and occasional barrels on W and NW swells. It's also a popular dog beach, so expect pups running around the sand.

Cowell Beach is the sandy public beach west of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, below the Dream Inn and West Cliff Drive.

Santa Cruz Main Beach, also called Boardwalk Beach, is the sandy public shoreline east of the municipal wharf and west of the San Lorenzo River.