Surf Forecast 26th Avenue
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26th Avenue surfspot characteristics
More about 26th Avenue surfspot
A stretch of beachbreak peaks with a bit of rock reef thrown in for interest, culminating in the rocky reef peak at Little Windansea off the end of Rockview Street. Good spots during springtime windswells and small summer S swells.
General: Situated on the east side of town, 26th Avenue is a playful beachbreak that can get good when the swell’s not too big. its shifting sandbars can offer a nice change of pace from the impacted lineups of the surrounding point waves like Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point, but beach erosion is a concern here. Best on small to medium swells — too much energy and it will close out. Obviously, Santa Cruz is rich with surf talent, so when it’s good here, folks around town know about it. But on an average day, 26th is a viable option if you’re looking to surf somewhere a little less intense. Tides: 26th Ave. is relatively tide sensitive and works best on a low tide pushing back in. When it gets too high the break gets a bit swamped. Size: A rippable small-wave spot, 26th Ave. will hold slightly overhead surf but starts closing out on anything bigger. Wind: E Swell: SW, W, NW Bottom: Shifting sandbars with boulders piled along the shoreline to help prevent beach erosion. Paddling: Breaking relatively close to shore, the paddle-out at 26th Ave. isn’t that bad. That can change when it’s really pumping, but by then you’ll be checking the points. Spot Rating: Not exactly the crown jewel of Santa Cruz, 26th Ave. is a fun beachbreak that can offer a nice respite from the more impacted lineups around town.
Not exactly an ideal wave for beginners, but also generally overlooked by Santa Cruz’s resident pros. A good spot to get a few waves if you’re competent.
Limited street parking with additional parking at the nearby Moran Lake Park a couple blocks north.
Breaks on a variety of swells, from strong SW pulses in summer to clean, consistent W swells in winter. Spring can be a bummer with inconsistent swells and bad winds.
Crowd Factor: It’s no secret when 26th Ave. is good, and as such, the local creatures turn up when the peaks are popping. Local Vibe: There are lots of really talented surfers in Santa Cruz, and with all the pointbreaks around town, 26th Ave. offers the rare opportunity to fly at a beachbreak.
Detour around the harbor and head for the coast. Park on any number of side streets all of which emerge onto the beach.
The water quality is decent at 26th Ave., but like most places in California, caution should be exercised after periods of heavy rains.
Cold water, shifting currents.