You’ll find three main waves at Steamer Lane.
When the swell is good, you will see lots of people watching from outside the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum just off the beach. Home to the Cold Water Classic Surf Contest, Steamer Lane attracts onlookers at all times of the year. This is one of the reasons that Steamer Lane has been one of the best-loved surfing beaches in the world. You will find that that Steamer Lane can vary between being playful and heavy. This popular spot is often very crowded with surfers. With right-handed, cold water point break with several very notable waves that are very consistent due to the right exposure to the swell and the protection from the wind in the northwest. The quintessential North Californian wave can be ridden at Steamer Lane. Starting off with one of the most famous surfing destinations in Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane should definitely be on your itinerary. Of course, with some of the biggest waves, visitors who are not familiar with some of the more fierce swells should take some time to familiarize themselves with the more dangerous spots before they start surfing Santa Cruz. With waves that are suited to all levels of surfer, Santa Cruz has something for everyone, from those that have never stepped foot on a surfboard to those who have devoted their entire lives to riding waves. Further afield, Los Angeles is around a 6 hours drive.Ĭheck for flights to Los Angeles here. Mineta San Jose International Airport is around 45-minutes away. San Francisco International Airport is roughly an hour to 90-minute drive from the north of Santa Cruz. If you are flying to Santa Cruz, you have a choice of two airports in the region.