| There are eleven break points along the best | | | | 30th and East Cliff is popular with Pleasure |
| surf spots in Santa Cruz County and is known | | | | Point surfers. However, due to the degree of |
| as "Surf City." Steamer Lane is host to the | | | | difficulty very few people are permitted to |
| O'Neill Cold Water Classic on annual basis | | | | surf in the area. |
| during the fall months. In May the Longboard | | | | |
| Invitational takes place adjacent to | | | | Manresa State Beach is positioned along |
| Lighthouse Point. The Capitola Women's | | | | Highway 1. It is less crowded than some of |
| Longboard Surf Fest in held in October. Women | | | | the other beaches. The waves can become very |
| of all ages participate and surfing skill | | | | high and rips are very common in the surf |
| participate. | | | | area. 30th. This surf area is said to be best |
| | | | for experienced surfers. |
| Waddell Beach is very popular with boogie | | | | |
| board, kiteboarding, and kayaking | | | | Steamer Lane is said to be the most popular |
| enthusiasts. Kiteboarding is a hybrid of | | | | surf area in the region. The waves get |
| wakeboarding and windsurfing. People are able | | | | extremely high at times said to reach triple |
| to get forty feet of air from the waves. | | | | overhead in height. Much caution needs to be |
| | | | exercised when surfing in this area. Deaths |
| Cowell's Beach positioned along Westcliff | | | | do occur on annual basis at this surf point. |
| Drive, is said to have calmer waves. This is | | | | Surfing goes on year round at Steamer Lane. |
| a popular surf spot for people just learning | | | | |
| the sport. There are stairs from Westcliff | | | | Moss Landing is positioned twenty miles south |
| Drive that lead out to the surf area. | | | | of the city. It is rarely crowded and has its |
| Capitola Beach is another popular surf area | | | | beach break near the harbor entrance. Waves |
| for beginners. Many people use longboards | | | | can get very high here, so it is recommended |
| with the waves when conditions are | | | | for advanced surfers only. Rips are common |
| permissible. Parking is ample and readily | | | | along this area. |
| available. When parking in metered parking | | | | |
| areas always have ample amounts of change and | | | | Natural Bridges surfing is located south of |
| keep the meter updated. It is not uncommon to | | | | the rock arches. Conditions fluctuate in the |
| get ticketed right away when the meter | | | | area so surfing isn't always possible. There |
| expires since it is monitored closely. | | | | is a lot of kelp and sealife in the area. |
| | | | |
| The Hook is located along what is known | | | | There are many places to surf along Highway 1 |
| locally as Pleasure Point. It is positioned | | | | in the middle of Half Moon Bay and the city. |
| at the end of the stairway located at 41st | | | | North of the city is where some of the more |
| Avenue. Longboards are most popular for this | | | | advanced surfers like to go. It is advised |
| surf area. Shortboards are only able to be | | | | that you avoid surfing in this area alone do |
| used on days when the waves are higher. This | | | | to its secluded nature. |
| surf is said to be best for skilled surfers. | | | | |