Steamer Lane

Located at the western end of the City of Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane is a very popular surfing spot in the city of Santa Cruz. The beach area has very little sand and is composed mostly of bluff side walls and rocky boulders. You might get some sandy areas during low tide but it’s not an ideal beach for quietly basking in the sun. Surfer Magazine in 2009 designated Santa Cruz as the "best surfing town" and wrote of Steamer Lane as a "world-class right-hand reef-point." The beach earned its name when earlier surfers on the beach would look out for waves in the naval lanes used by steamships heading towards the Santa Cruz Wharf. The beach area is always bustling with surfers looking for a piece of large and fast-paced waves found in the waters here. Situated to the west of Steamer Lane is Lighthouse Field State Beach along with the iconic Santa Cruz Lighthouse, while to the south is a blufftop shelf also used by surfers. 

The beach provides a number of amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, and sitting areas. There is a parking lot offering free parking situated near the beach entrance.

Steamers Lane offers a number of fun activities including surfing, surf-skimming, kitesurfing, tide pooling, swimming, and wildlife watching. The water near the beach area is divided into a variety of surfing zone subsections, each providing an increased difficulty level for surfers. We recommend that amateurs refrain from surfing here, since the waves here can get out of control, and the cliff-side near the beach has sharp rocks that can cause serious injuries. Beginners should instead head to nearby Cowell Beach for a safer experience.

The southernmost surfing zone at Steamers Lane is only used by expert surfers, as this area has the most challenging waves. Nevertheless, Steamers Lane is etched into global surfing history for a variety of reasons. This was the beach where surfing legend Jack O’Neill came up with the innovation for the revolutionary surfer wetsuit. In addition, Steamers Lane also hosts the annual O’Neill Coldwater Classic surfing competition, which is recognized by the Association of Surfing Professionals as a World Class Event. There is a somber memorial near the beach area dedicated to those who lost their lives while surfing.

You can also comb the beach for shells during low tide; however, be aware of the strong currents in the water. A popular attraction near Steamer Lane is the Lighthouse Field State Beach, which has a grassy park area with walking trails. You can also check out the iconic Santa Cruz Lighthouse and the Surfing Museum present on the Lighthouse Field State Beach premises. The southern end near Lighthouse Field State Beach has a beach area called Its Beach – it has dry sand which is ideal for sunbathing and looking for seals that reside in nearby waters.

If you're looking for a restaurant, the FIREFISH GRILL is a high-end restaurant specializing in coastal Californian cuisine along with offering delicious steaks and seafood pasta. A more family-friendly dining option is Cafe Gratitude, a vegetarian restaurant that has an innovative menu featuring delectable sandwiches, tacos, and salads. An affordable option is Opulence Indian Food which serves a variety of excellent Indian vegetarian dishes and refreshing masala chai tea.

If you're looking for a hotel, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Casablanca Inn offers luxurious suites and features a variety of amenities including an in-house restaurant. A moderately-priced option is the 3-Star The Inn at Pasatiempo which offers well-furnished rooms. An affordable option is the Hotel Ocean Gate Inn.