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	0.9	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.6	0.4	0.4	0.8	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.4	1.1	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.1	1.1	1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.9	0.9
Wave direction	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WSW	SSW	NW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	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	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	S	S	S	S	S	WNW	WNW
Wave period (s)	8.4	8.6	5.8	8.1	11.3	11.7	7	6.3	5.6	5.4	5.4	6	12.7	10.1	5.2	5.3	5.8	6	6.3	6.5	6.7	7	6.2	6.2	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.2	6.3	6.3	6	6	6	6.1	6.3	6.4	6.3	6.3	6.2	5.8	6.6	6.3	6.3	8.5	9.1	13.3	13.1	13.1	12.7	12.4	12.3	12.2	12.1	11.8	5.8	5.9
Wave energy (kJ)	91	89	53	71	74	73	30	48	36	35	37	25	51	26	32	78	108	118	145	177	171	125	138	155	169	169	165	155	132	113	102	94	85	80	88	103	100	89	73	58	56	48	41	59	55	81	79	78	74	71	64	62	61	64	50	59
Wind speed (km/h)	2.8	8	5	11.3	13.5	17.3	8.8	9.2	5.1	3	1.5	9	8.6	18.5	13.4	1.8	6.4	2.6	3.2	9.3	12.2	6.1	12.1	5.9	4.7	6.6	4	7.9	13.8	13.6	8.2	2.9	4	4.1	5.6	9.4	10.8	10.9	5.4	1.9	3.9	3.3	1.1	9	13.5	13.5	4	5.8	6	3.8	1.1	8.6	11.7	8.4	11.6	6.5
Wind direction	SEGlassy	ECross	ESECross-on	SSWOnshore	WSWCross-on	WNWCross-off	NNWOffshore	NNWOffshore	NOffshore	NNEGlassy	NEGlassy	SOnshore	WSWCross-on	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	SEGlassy	ESECross-on	NEGlassy	EGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SOnshore	ECross	ECross	ESEGlassy	ECross	ESEGlassy	SOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWCross-on	SSWGlassy	SGlassy	SSEGlassy	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SSWGlassy	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWGlassy	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWGlassy	ECross	ENECross-off	NNEGlassy	NGlassy	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	ECross	ECross

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.