Surf spot

The Wedge

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

Country: USA, California, Santa Cruz
Coordinates: 36.9511, -122.0283

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)	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.4	0.5	0.7	1.1	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.3	0.9	1.3	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WSW	WSW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	SW	SSW	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	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	S	S	S	S
Wave period (s)	8.3	8.4	7.8	8.4	12.2	11.6	6.5	6.1	7.7	5.5	5.2	5.7	11.8	10.3	5	5.3	5.5	6	6.2	6.3	7	7.5	6.3	6.2	6.3	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.3	6	6	6	6.1	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.4	6.1	6	6	6.6	8.5	8.4	8.2	6.7	8.3	8.7	8.6	8.4	12	11.9	11.9	11.8
Wave energy (kJ)	80	96	87	87	80	84	33	50	61	28	28	26	50	45	26	69	98	118	136	167	168	96	136	161	186	192	195	197	173	145	124	104	94	93	98	98	100	98	91	82	66	56	48	50	71	61	55	35	47	47	43	42	78	71	71	64
Wind speed (km/h)	1.6	6	6.6	10.5	12	15.3	9.7	7.7	5.1	3.3	2.1	7.9	14.9	26.5	16.1	4.8	5.2	2.5	2.3	8.8	12.5	4.6	8.4	8.5	5.5	5.6	5.2	7.8	12	12	6.3	3.1	4.5	4	4.3	9.1	12.7	12.6	5.2	4.2	3.7	1.9	1.8	8.2	13	12.2	5.6	2.9	3.6	3.2	4.8	9	12.2	7.1	12.8	4.3
Wind direction	SSEGlassy	ESECross-on	ESECross	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	WNWCross-off	NOffshore	NNWOffshore	NOffshore	NNEGlassy	NNWGlassy	SWCross-on	WNWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NNWGlassy	ESECross-on	EGlassy	ENEGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	ENEGlassy	ESECross-on	ESECross	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSEGlassy	SSEGlassy	SGlassy	SGlassy	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SSWOnshore	SSEGlassy	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	ESEGlassy	SEGlassy	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWOnshore	ECross	EGlassy

The Wedge (Santa Cruz, California, USA)

The Wedge is one of Santa Cruz’s best-known surf spots, located near the entrance to the harbor breakwater. It’s a powerful, exposed beach-and-point style wave influenced by shifting sandbars and strong swell energy, making it a spot that can produce exciting, challenging surf when conditions line up.

What it’s like

Wave quality: Highly variable, from messy and closeout-prone to fun and punchy on the right swell.
Wave type: Mostly a beachbreak influenced by the harbor jetties and nearby sand movement.
Power: Can get strong and fast, especially during larger west or northwest swells.
Crowds: Can be crowded when it’s breaking well, with a mix of local surfers and visitors.

Best conditions

Swell: West to northwest swell is generally preferred.
Wind: Light offshore or calm conditions are best; onshore winds can quickly degrade the wave.
Tide: Often works best around mid tide, though this can vary with sandbar changes.

Hazards

Strong currents, shallow sandbars, and heavy shorebreak can make it dangerous.
The wave can close out quickly and produce hard wipeouts.
Changing sand conditions mean the spot can shift in quality and shape.

Overall

The Wedge is a fun but fickle surf spot that can offer thrilling rides when conditions are right, but it’s best suited for experienced surfers who are comfortable with powerful beachbreaks and changing conditions.