Point

right

Level 7/10

Steamer Lane

Santa Cruz, USA (CA)

🪨Rocks👥Crowded👊Localism

Steamer Lane is Northern California's premier point break—a world-class wave system with multiple sections that has served as the proving ground for generations of NorCal surfers. The lighthouse cliff provides a natural amphitheater for spectators, while the wave offers everything from gentle walls to hollow pits depending on section and swell. Cold water, kelp forests, and a fierce local crew add intensity to the experience. The Santa Cruz surf culture centered here rivals anywhere on Earth, with a history and competitive spirit that has produced champions and shaped the sport.

10-Day Forecast

Today

Fair

2.1mW

@15s

5km/h

Wed

Fair

2.2mW

@15s

7km/h

Thu

Good

1.8mW

@14s

4km/h

Fri

Fair

2.1mWNW

@12s

5km/h

Sat

Fair

2.1mWNW

@13s

5km/h

Sun

Poor

1.5mWNW

@14s

6km/h

Mon

Poor

1.1mW

@15s

5km/h

Tue

Fair

1.1mWNW

@15s

7km/h

Wed

Fair

1.5mWSW

@13s

4km/h

Today

Tue, Jan 20

2.1m @ 15s W

5 km/h SSE

Wed

Wed, Jan 21

2.2m @ 15s W

7 km/h S

Thu

Thu, Jan 22

1.8m @ 14s W

4 km/h S

Fri

Fri, Jan 23

2.1m @ 12s WNW

5 km/h SSW

Sat

Sat, Jan 24

2.1m @ 13s WNW

5 km/h SE

Sun

Sun, Jan 25

1.5m @ 14s WNW

6 km/h SSE

Mon

Mon, Jan 26

1.1m @ 15s W

5 km/h S

Tue

Tue, Jan 27

1.1m @ 15s WNW

7 km/h SE

Wed

Wed, Jan 28

1.5m @ 13s WSW

4 km/h SSW

Today's Conditions

Swell

2.1m

W(271°)

Score: 21/25

Period

15s

Long period groundswell

Score: 25/25

Wind

5km/h

SSE(147°)

Score: 1/25

Weather

16°C

0.0mm100%

Secondary Swell

0.8mWNW

Forecast Confidence

100%

Sources: open-meteo-marine, open-meteo-weather

Best Session

morning

Strike Score Breakdown

Fair

Swell Direction

4/25

How well swell angle matches the spot

Swell Size

21/25

Wave height in the ideal range

Swell Period

25/25

Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.

Wind

1/25

Offshore/glassy conditions

Total Score51/100

Location & Conditions

Loading map...

Swell

Wind

View in OpenStreetMap

Showing forecast for today

Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction: WNW (290°)
Direction range: 260° - 320°
Size range: 1m - 4m
Ideal period: 16s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction: N (0°)
Offshore range: 315° - 45°
Best window: morning

Tide Requirements

Optimal tide: mid
Optimal range: 0.3m - 1.5m

Water temp

14°C

Wetsuit

4/3mm fullsuit

Difficulty

7/10

Crowd level

8/10

Access: Lighthouse Point. Cliff jumping entry or paddle from Cowell's.

Getting There

Airport

SJC

Drive time

45 min

Nearby Buoy

Forecasts are validated against real-time buoy data.

46042 (NOAA)

Best Season

Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Secondary: Sep, Apr

Winter swells best. Multiple sections from Indicators to The Point.

Data Quality

verified

Verified by Surfline spot guide