Surf spot

Santa Cruz - 26th

Forecast conditions and map view for Santa Cruz - 26th in USA, California, Santa Cruz. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, California, Santa Cruz
Coordinates: 36.9561, -121.9807

Metric
Metric	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00
Wave height (m)	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.7	0.4	0.4	0.7	1	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.3	1.2	1	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	1	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	SW	SW	SW	SSW	SSW	SW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	WNW	WNW	SW	SW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW
Wave period (s)	14.1	13.9	13.6	13.2	12.8	12.7	12.3	12.2	11.9	11.8	11.3	11.4	11.6	11.6	11.6	11.4	9.9	10.1	5.5	5.4	12.3	11.7	5.3	5	5.7	6	6.2	6.5	6.4	6.8	5.8	6.1	6.2	6.2	6.2	6.2	6.1	6.2	6	6.3	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	7.2	6.5	6.4	6.8	6.8	12.4	12.3	12.8	12.7	12.6	12.6
Wave energy (kJ)	206	200	201	179	169	166	124	114	110	108	99	88	109	103	96	94	41	43	26	27	49	44	30	53	80	92	107	132	114	100	116	122	126	118	111	105	93	83	75	74	64	59	60	58	55	63	48	42	38	36	83	81	75	74	73	73
Wind speed (km/h)	6.9	5.7	2.8	11	12.7	6.9	10	9	5.3	6.1	8	9.8	14.9	19	14.3	9	5.6	2.9	4.3	11.9	10.9	3.6	6	2.7	5.2	3.6	3.1	10.3	13.2	9.2	10.2	6	4.7	4.8	4.6	7.4	13	13.6	5.2	2.6	2.5	2.6	3.6	8.9	13	13.8	6.7	1.1	3.6	4	4.1	8.3	12.5	11.5	1.8	10.7
Wind direction	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SEGlassy	SSWCross-on	SSWOnshore	SECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ECross	ESECross-on	SSWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WNWCross-off	NNWOffshore	NNWOffshore	NECross-off	SSWGlassy	ESEGlassy	SOnshore	SWCross-on	SWGlassy	NNWOffshore	SSEGlassy	SECross-on	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	ECross	ESECross-on	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SSEOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSEGlassy	SWGlassy	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWOnshore	SSWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WSWCross-on	SSWGlassy	EGlassy	EGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	EGlassy	ENECross

Santa Cruz – 26th Street, Santa Cruz, California (USA) is a well-known Northern California surf spot with a classic beachbreak feel and a strong local surf culture.

Quick description

26th Street sits in the Santa Cruz coastline zone, where waves are shaped by a mix of sandbars, storms, and shifting coastal conditions. It can produce fun, punchy surf when the sand is set up well, and like much of Santa Cruz, it has a reputation for quality waves and a serious surf scene.

Wave type

Beachbreak
Can be fast and hollow on the right swell
Also offers softer, more manageable peaks on smaller days

Best conditions

SW to W swells are often favorable
Low to mid tide can improve shape, depending on sandbar setup
Offshore or light northeast/east winds help clean up the waves

Skill level

Usually best for intermediate to advanced surfers
Can be surfed by beginners on smaller, cleaner days, but conditions may be powerful and crowded

What to expect

Strong local crowd
Shifting peaks and sandbars
Quality surf when conditions line up
Cool, often chilly water year-round, so a wetsuit is needed

Overall vibe

Santa Cruz 26th is a classic California beachbreak: variable, sometimes challenging, but capable of delivering really good waves. It’s a great spot for surfers looking for a more authentic, high-energy Santa Cruz experience.