13 ways to experience the Santa Cruz Surf Culture
The California Surf Culture goes way back to the late 1800s when three Hawaiian princes brought the sport to Santa Cruz! And in the 1950s Jack O’Neil famously invented the wetsuit.
Now the California coast, especially the Santa Cruz area where it started, is a surf mecca spawning a culture of laid-back fish taco eating sun lovers!
If you are visiting California, here are some ways to experience that surf culture for yourself.
My suggestion is to fly into either San Francisco or even better is San Jose (BA has direct flights from Heathrow – scheduled to restart in March) to land nearly into all the action!
1. Stroll East Cliff Drive and watch the surfers
For an authentic surf vibe head over to the laid-back Pleasure Point beach community on the east end of Santa Cruz. Park at East Cliff Drive and 41st Street and walk across the street to see the popular surf destination The Hook. You’ll see several people at the fence railing watching surfers and taking in the gorgeous views of Monterey Bay. As you walk down East Cliff Drive there are several places to stop and watch surfers. You’ll see boarders, beach cruisers, and lots of seasalt-bleached hair.
2. Get a Breakfast Burrito at The Point
The Point Market at 23040 E Cliff Drive has THE BEST breakfast burritos. Order “The Barrel” a massive burrito filled with eggs, bacon, potatoes, avocado, cheese and salsa! Then walk over to one of the benches on E Cliff and enjoy!
The Point Market, 23040 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, United States
3. Shop & Eat on 41st Avenue
41st Street is the heart of the Pleasure Point area. It’s home to the Santa Cruz Boardroom – with over 2,000 skateboards and where the trendy Santa Cruz logo wear comes from. Eat at the Penny Ice Creamery, Pleasure Point Pizza, Taqueria Vallarta for a fish taco, Suda for a yummy kale salad, Cliff Cafe for breakfast, and Verve for coffee and local vibes!
4. Look for a bargain at the O’Neil Surf Shop Outlet
Local Jack O’Neil invented the wetsuit to keep surfers warm in the cool ocean waters. Now the brand is a popular clothing store that embodies surf culture. At the outlet you can get wetsuits and discounted fashion. I got a hoodie for less than $20. 1149 41st Ave., Capitola CA 95010
O’Neill Surf Shop Outlet, 1149 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010, United States
5. Rummage through the Goodwill
As long as you are in this end of town, go to the Capitola Goodwill for some great vintage finds. A lot of surf wear gets handed in to this charity and is available for sale! We picked up a BodyGlove wetsuit for $20!
The Goodwill Central Coast, 1550 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010, United States
6. Get and slice and T-Shirt at Pizza My Heart
This surf-themed pizza chain serves pizza made with local ingredients. Each year they commission a T-shirt design which they practically give away when you buy a slice of pizza ($2 extra for the T-shirt). You can also purchase them separately for about $8. We have done this nearly every year since 2005! It’s such a tradition, that when we couldn’t visit because of COVID, a friend sent me one! There are a few places to get a slice. Either stand in the long line in Capitola on the Esplanade, or skip the queue and go to 41st Street.
Pizza My Heart, 209 Esplanade, Capitola, CA 95010, United States
Pizza My Heart, 2180 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010, United States
7. Stay at the Dream Inn
My absolute favourite place to stay in Santa Cruz. It’s the only beach front hotel with a pool! One of the best beginner soft beaches, Cowell Beach, is right out the front door. You can rent boards across the road at Cowells, or just rent and take lessons from Eddies, in high season located right in front of the hotel. Lots of surf decor.
Dream Inn, 175 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
8. Cycle along West Cliff Dr.
If you stay at the Dream Inn borrow the beach cruisers and cycle down West Cliff Drive to see the surfers. You’ll catch them all along the coast, but the most popular area is Steamer Lane, with good access and sweeping views. You can continue on and cycle all the way to Natural Bridges State Beach.
9. Check out the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
This cool museum houses surfing memorabilia from the past 100 years, including surfboard from the 1940s. It over looks Steamer Lane, a famous surfing hotspot. The shop has surf books and surfing-related merchandise. Make sure to look up opening times as they are limited.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, 701 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
10. Go to the beach
Duh. Of course you’ll go to the beach. There are so many to choose from. Capitola is one of our favourites. There’s also Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz Main Beach, Natural Bridges State Beach, Twin Lakes and Sea Cliff.
11. Rent a surfboard and take a surf lesson
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in surf culture than to learn how to surf yourself! Cowell’s Beach Surf shop is in walking distance of one of the best beginner surf beaches (Cowell Beach) and they have lessons too.
Cowell’s Beach Surf Shop, 30 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
12. Visit the Ripcurl Outlet
There are outlets that say they are outlets, and then there are proper outlets that have discounted items. This place is a bargain. Logo T-shirts for $8. We went twice!
Rip Curl Santa Cruz Outlet, 1604 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
13. Try a fish taco at Hula’s Island Grill
Get some Hawaiian-Cali culture at Hula’s Island Grill, a popular causal eatery in downtown Santa Cruz. This tropical, tiki-inspired restaurant has a range of Hawaiian food, including fish tacos!
Hula’s Island Grill, 221 Cathcart St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States
Planning to visit California? Read my other posts
22 Things to do in Capitola with the family
Sonoma wine country: 21 things to do with the family
Insider’s guide to walking over the Golden Gate Bridge
9 family friendly wineries in Napa Valley
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