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