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Point
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Level 7/10

Steamer Lane

Santa Cruz, USA
🪨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
Wed
24
23
Poor
1.1m
@14s
9km/h
Today
25
17
Poor
1.1m
@15s
15km/h
Fri
26
7
Poor
1.0m
@13s
17km/h
Sat
27
5
Poor
0.8m
@15s
24km/h
Sun
28
31
Poor
1.9m
@12s
13km/h
Mon
29
30
Poor
2.1m
@10s
10km/h
Tue
30
33
Poor
2.0m
@11s
13km/h
Wed
1
31
Poor
1.8m
@13s
20km/h
Thu
2
41
Poor
1.3m
@14s
13km/h
Fri
3
37
Poor
1.1m
@13s
11km/h
View 2-year historical scores →

Today's Conditions

Find Flights
Swell
1.1m
SSW(198°)
Score: 9/25
Period
14s
Long period groundswell
Score: 14/25
Wind
9km/h
SW(234°)
Score: 11/25
Weather
15°C
0.0mm66%
Windswell Component
0.1mW@1s
Secondary Swell
0.5mWNW
Forecast Confidence
100%
Sources: open-meteo-marine, open-meteo-weather
Best Session
morning
AM: 4 km/h S|PM: 12 km/h SW
4 km/h vs 12 km/h afternoon
Tide at 7am (0.2m)

Location & Conditions

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0°45°90°135°180°225°270°315°NESW
Swell
Wind
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Tide Times

1:40 am
Low tide - -0.57m
7:55 am
High tide - 0.19m
12:15 pm
Low tide - -0.08m
7:00 pm
High tide - 0.90m
Times shown in spot-local time.

Strike Score Breakdown

23
Poor
Components
Swell Direction0/25
Swell Size9/25
Swell Period14/25
Wind11/25
Raw Score34/100
Adjustments
🌊 Tide-1
⚠️ Weak Component-10
Adjusted Score23/100
Confidence
Multiplier×1.00
Final Score23
🌊 Slightly below optimal tide👥 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

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