Strike Mission
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
21
14
Poor
1.0m
@15s
15km/h
Mon
22
10
Poor
1.0m
@11s
15km/h
Tue
23
8
Poor
1.0m
@13s
10km/h
Wed
24
21
Poor
1.2m
@14s
10km/h
Thu
25
32
Poor
1.1m
@15s
9km/h
Fri
26
15
Poor
1.0m
@12s
12km/h
Sat
27
18
Poor
0.9m
@14s
16km/h
Sun
28
53
Fair
2.0m
@13s
9km/h
Mon
29
47
Fair
2.2m
@11s
9km/h
Tue
30
43
Poor
2.1m
@12s
11km/h
View 2-year historical scores →

Today's Conditions

Find Flights
Swell
1.0m
SSW(207°)
Score: 8/25
Period
15s
Long period groundswell
Score: 23/25
Wind
15km/h
W(272°)
Score: 1/25
Weather
16°C
0.0mm49%
Windswell Component
0.2mWNW@2s
Secondary Swell
0.4mSSW
Forecast Confidence
100%
Sources: open-meteo-marine, open-meteo-weather
Best Session
morning
AM: 5 km/h NNW|PM: 18 km/h WSW
5 km/h vs 18 km/h afternoon
Tide at 9am (-0.6m)

Location & Conditions

Loading map...
0°45°90°135°180°225°270°315°NESW
Swell
Wind
View in OpenStreetMap
Showing forecast for today

Tide Times

3:30 am
High tide - 0.48m
9:57 am
Low tide - -0.57m
5:00 pm
High tide - 0.78m
Times shown in spot-local time.

Strike Score Breakdown

14
Poor
Components
Swell Direction0/25
Swell Size8/25
Swell Period23/25
Wind1/25
Raw Score32/100
Adjustments
🌊 Tide-3
⚠️ Weak Component-15
Adjusted Score14/100
Confidence
Multiplier×1.00
Final Score14
🌊 Too low for this tide window👥 Summer Break
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Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction
WNW (290°)
Direction range
260° - 320°
Size range
1m - 4m
Ideal size
3.1m
Height multiplier
0.97×
Ideal period
16s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction
N (0°)
Offshore range
315° - 45°

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

👥 Summer Break (Jun 15 – Aug 25) — expect extra crowds

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

Best Season

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

Secondary: Sep, Apr

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

Getting There

Airport
SJC
Drive time
45 min
Data quality
verified

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Strike Log

Community Discussion