Pleasure Point
Pleasure Point is Santa Cruz's mellow alternative—a long right-hand point with multiple peaks that provides a more approachable experience than intense Steamer Lane just up the coast. Multiple access points along East Cliff Drive allow surfers to choose their section, from the fast walls of Shark Cove to the more forgiving peaks toward the end. The vibe is generally friendly despite crowds, and the wave works on both winter northwest swells and summer south swells, making it one of the region's most versatile options.
Pleasure Point surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to SJC, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when North America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in North America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Pleasure Point trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (280°)
- Direction range
- 250° - 310°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.4m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Multiple access points along East Cliff Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Pleasure Point?
Pleasure Point is a point break in Santa Cruz, USA, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Pleasure Point?
Pleasure Point picks up swell from the WSW round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the W. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. S swells wrap in nicely in summer. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Pleasure Point?
A N wind is dead offshore at Pleasure Point, and anything from the NW round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Pleasure Point?
Pleasure Point is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Pleasure Point?
The most reliable run of swell at Pleasure Point comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Jul to Sep too. Works year-round. Multiple peaks along the point.
How cold is the water at Pleasure Point?
The water at Pleasure Point averages around 14°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Pleasure Point good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Rocky reef. Crowded but generally mellow vibe.
How do I get to Pleasure Point?
The nearest airport on our list is SJC, then it's roughly a 50-minute drive. Multiple access points along East Cliff Drive.
What other surf spots are near Pleasure Point?
The closest breaks we track are Steamer Lane (4.7 km) and Ghost Trees (45 km), handy when Pleasure Point isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Jul-Sep
Works year-round. Multiple peaks along the point.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Steamer Lane
⬛ NorCal's finest • Lighthouse point • Cold-water champions
Ghost Trees
👻 Ghostly cypress backdrop • Carmel Canyon power • Restricted access
Mavericks
🐻 Northern California's monster • Boulder reef • Where legends test themselves
Ocean Beach SF
🦈 Cold water crucible • North Pacific power • SF's test piece