Santa Cruz, California
Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.
First light in Santa Cruz means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 7 spots are worth the 5am alarm.
Sunrise
6:48 AMDay length: 12h 35m
-3 min vs yesterday
Sunrise
6:48 AM
First light: 6:18 AM
Sunset
7:23 PM
Last light: 7:53 PM
Data from 38th Avenue (Santa Cruz) · Updated daily
| Day | Sunrise | Sunset | Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today(Today) | 6:48 AM | 7:23 PM | 12h 35m |
| Tomorrow | 6:48 AM | 7:22 PM | 12h 33m |
| Mon, Sep 14 | 6:49 AM | 7:20 PM | 12h 31m |
| Tue, Sep 15 | 6:50 AM | 7:19 PM | 12h 29m |
| Wed, Sep 16 | 6:51 AM | 7:17 PM | 12h 26m |
| Thu, Sep 17 | 6:52 AM | 7:16 PM | 12h 24m |
Today(Today)
Sunrise
6:48 AM
Sunset
7:23 PM
Day Length
12h 35m
Tomorrow
Sunrise
6:48 AM
Sunset
7:22 PM
Day Length
12h 33m
Mon, Sep 14
Sunrise
6:49 AM
Sunset
7:20 PM
Day Length
12h 31m
Tue, Sep 15
Sunrise
6:50 AM
Sunset
7:19 PM
Day Length
12h 29m
Wed, Sep 16
Sunrise
6:51 AM
Sunset
7:17 PM
Day Length
12h 26m
Thu, Sep 17
Sunrise
6:52 AM
Sunset
7:16 PM
Day Length
12h 24m
7 spots
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.
Cowell Beach is the sandy public beach west of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, below the Dream Inn and West Cliff Drive.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.
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.
Walk down the stairway at the end of 38th Avenue; watch your footing on slippery rocks.
Parking is limited along 38th Avenue and East Cliff Drive; arrive early or park farther away and walk.
Cowell Beach is the sandy public beach west of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, below the Dream Inn and West Cliff Drive.
Use public beach access west of the wharf. Check current water-quality notices and ocean conditions with an on-duty lifeguard before entering.
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.
Climb down the bluff via a staircase and paddle out through the small channel on the west side.
Small parking area along West Cliff Drive; spaces fill quickly on swell days.
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.
Take the staircases down from East Cliff Drive and paddle out through the channel between kelp patches.
Street parking along East Cliff Drive; expect to walk a bit and respect residents.
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.
Use public pedestrian access from Beach Street. Check current city water-quality and ocean-safety notices and ask an on-duty lifeguard about conditions.
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.
Jump off the cliff at the Slot or paddle from the beach at Indicators; time your entry to avoid sets.
Parking along West Cliff Drive can be tight; there is a pay lot at the Lighthouse Field State Beach.
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.
Use the stairway down the cliff and jump off the rocks or paddle around the point; be mindful of seaweed.
Parking along East Cliff Drive is limited; arrive early or park inland and walk.
About surfing in Santa Cruz
Check the forecast, surf the session, log what happened — and build the record you'll compare every next call against.
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