Where to Start Surfing in Santa Cruz
Where to start surfing is just as important as learning how to surf. Choosing beginner friendly breaks and conditions will keep you safe (or at least safer) and make the experience more enjoyable. In Santa Cruz, these are the best known beginner breaks. As they are deemed beginner, localism is low, and the regulars are typically more forgiving of beginners.
Cowells
Cowells is Santa Cruz’s long standing, best known beginner break — it regularly tops numerous surf magazines’ Best Beginner Breaks lists. Cowell’s offers gentle, rolling waves and long rides. Because of this, it can draw large crowds on sunny summer weekends.
Location: Cowells Beach, Santa Cruz — enter from the stairs on West Cliff Dr at Monterey St
Pros: Beginner-friendly. long rolling waves makes for long rides, plenty of nearby parking
Cons: Crowds any time its breaking, long paddle back out, sketchy entrance and exits at the stairs, favorite break for schools — watch out for super noobs dropping in on you — party waves are the norm. NOTE: Cowell’s relies on a sandbar to break. Occasionally winter storms will wash away the sandbar and it won’t break for months.
Vibe: Friendly
Tide: Low to negative tide — below 3 feet, the lower the better
Amenities: None nearby. Showers and restrooms a few blocks away near Steamer Lane
Parking: Park in West Cliff Drive lot, or on Monterey or Manor St
Jack's
Jack’s is a friendly break with a rocky reef bottom that generally offers a nice right as it it heads to shore. It can also break left on smaller days. On big days the wave can be pretty epic (beginners will want to stay inside to avoid the bombs and competition for waves with experienced surfers). Small days make for shorter, but fun rides to the cliffs.
Speaking of cliffs, entry is from the stairs at 36th or 38th Ave. 36th stairs are recommended as they are solid cement and there’s a bit of beach to put your leash on, etc. The 38th Ave stairs are wooden and rickety, and can be a bit slippery. They are, however, a good exit strategy when the current is pushing east and the paddle back to 36th is a bit much.
Location: Right in front of Jack O’Neill’s green house between 36th and 38th Ave on East Cliff Dr {see map)
Pros: Beginner-friendly; if it’s a flatter day, you can paddle over to Pleasure Point’s Second Peak to try your luck there
Cons: At high tide, getting in and out can be challenging — time your entry and exit between sets; can get very crowded, especially on summer weekends; kelp
Vibe: Generally beginner-friendly, unless it’s pumping
Tide: 2-3.5 ft rising tide
Amenities: Showers and bathrooms at Hook County Park 4 blocks away (see parking info below)
Parking: Ideally, in the surrounding neighborhood, or along East Cliff between 36-37th. You can also park in the Hook lot (see map), but there is a .3 mile / 7 minute walk to the stairs for Jacks
Capitola
Capitola’s second Jetty offers a fun, cruisey A-frame wave that’s great for beginners and longboarders. It’s a nice, long right on good days, and occasionally you can pick up a shorter left when there’s a nice south swell.The vibe is super welcoming, but it can be challenging to get a ride as a beginner if you’re there on a crowded summer day. To avoid the crowds, weekdays are best (post dawn patrol) or late afternoon/evening, or days with crappy forecasts. Sometimes the super small days end up being the best. If you’re surfing on the weekend, get there early for parking, and before the families begin showing up around 10 am.
If you’re nervous about paddling out with more skilled surfers, try the bunny slope, aka first jetty. This can be a great beginner wave when it’s breaking. Just keep in mind its where the kiddos learn to surf and boogie board, so it’s best before 10 am or after 6 pm.
Location: In front of Esplanade Park, Capitola
Pros: Beginner-friendly, easy paddle out, fun vibes
Cons: Parking can be hellish, crowds, especially on sunny weekends in summer, rocks and kelp
Vibe: Welcoming!
Tide: Incoming mid to low — 2 ft is ideal, lower for small waves
Amenities: Showers, restrooms, nearby eateries
Parking: Metered parking in the village is closest, runs from 8 am – 8 pm, and costs $2/hour, 3 hour max. Meter police are usually VERY diligent, but typically don’t start until 9 am. You can feed the meters, but check your tires for chalk marks. Additional parking can be found in the lot up Monterey Ave. It’s cheaper, and you can park all day. Free parking in December for holiday shopping!
Note: the lot next to the Britannia Arms is SUPER EXPENSIVE.
One final note: choosing the right conditions is just as important as choosing the right location. Learn to read a surf report, and what conditions are best for your surf skills.
Happy surfing!