Santa Cruz Beach, CA
Beach Alerts
Surf Caution
Surf Caution: Strong waves expected from 8 AM-2 PM — not ideal for kids (10s wave period)
UV Alert
High UV Alert: SPF 50+ recommended from 12 PM-2 PM (UV Index 8)
About This Beach
Santa Cruz Main Beach is a lively, family-friendly beach directly adjacent to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and pier. The beach itself offers a large expanse of sand, suitable for various activities like sunbathing, volleyball, and walking, with a mixture of calm and more active water areas. While the convenient location and proximity to amenities are popular, it's often crowded, especially during peak hours.
*Click a parking icon on the map to draw the shortest path to the nearest entrance.
Plan Your Visit
Beach Overview
Amenities
Activities & Rentals
Beachgoers Reviews
Average Rating
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Weather Forecast
Updated: 7/18/2026, 8:00:00 AM
Hourly
| Time | Air Temp | UV | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | 58° | 1 | 7 mph | 0 |
| 09:00 | 59° | 3 | 6 mph | 0 |
| 10:00 | 60° | 4 | 7 mph | 0 |
| 11:00 | 62° | 6 | 9 mph | 0 |
| 12:00 | 63° | 7 | 12 mph | 0 |
| 13:00 | 64° | 8 | 13 mph | 0 |
| 14:00 | 65° | 8 | 15 mph | 0 |
Surf Conditions
Updated: Updated: 7/18/2026, 8:00:00 AM
Hourly Surf
| Time | Temp | Wave | Period | Swell | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | 60°F | 3.4 ft | 10s | ← W | -2.8 ft |
| 09:00 | 60°F | 3.3 ft | 10s | ↖ NW | -2.4 ft |
| 10:00 | 60°F | 3.3 ft | 10s | ↖ NW | -1.5 ft |
| 11:00 | 60°F | 3.2 ft | 10s | ↖ NW | -0.4 ft |
| 12:00 | 60°F | 3.2 ft | 10s | ↖ NW | +0.8 ft |
| 13:00 | 60°F | 3.2 ft | 10s | ↖ NW | +1.7 ft |
| 14:00 | 60°F | 3.2 ft | 10s | ↖ NW | +2.2 ft |