Surf: The Slot is a wedgy righthander best on W swells and a medium to low tide. A good spot for tube rides or aerials, as it tends to close out a bit. The take-off is close to the cliff, under the watchful gaze of hundreds of onlookers. Environment: Maybe a tiny bit less crowded as it is close to the cliff and there will be plenty of waves at Middle Peak when it's on. Surf: General: A classic name for a classic California surf spot, Steamer Lane is geo-strategically placed to sweep up just about everything moving within or just above the surface of the Pacific Ocean and put it to some use. Because Santa Cruz faces straight south, Lighthouse Point points almost directly south, and that weird geography is the secret to Steamer Lane’s success. Swells from the west and northwest that ravage the coast north of Santa Cruz are evened out and groomed as they bend into the Monterey Bay. The same is true for the northwest winds that pound the north coast for most of the year. Because of the bend at the top of the Monterey Bay, those northwest winds blow offshore at Steamer Lane. There are few things in nature as beautiful as a 10-foot, offshore peak unloading at Steamer Lane.

Steamer Lane is maybe a little too irresistible, because it is now one of the most crowded surf spots in California. At any given hour, there is probably a wider range of people surfing Steamer Lane than anywhere in the world. Tides: Incoming, low to medium Size: Waist high-2X overhead Wind: NE, N, NW, glassy Swell: W, S, NW Bottom: Rock reef, kelp, a few sand patches. Paddling: Expect a lot of padding, especially when big. Spot Rating: One of the best right points in California. Access: Park in the lot, walk down the stairs. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Very crowded after 3pm and on weekends. Not so bad when it's giant or during school. Local Vibe: Intense, at times nuclear and as crowded as the surfing world gets. Environment: Mostly clean, but can be semi-dirty after significant rain. Hazards: Longboarders, locals, drop-ins, big surf, seals, sea otters, kelp, kayakers, getting pinned on the cliff, that big rock on the inside. Season: January-December