With rugged beauty and consistent waves, Santa Cruz is a surfer’s paradise. Here’s where and when to get your board in the ocean, and how to respect the marine wildlife.

Every time a massive swell is forecast, Santa Cruz’s hard-charging, big wave surfer Alessandro “Alo” Slebir can hardly contain himself.

The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum overlooks one of the most renowned surfing spots in Santa Cruz – Steamer Lane. Along with historic surfing photographs and boards, the museum features a bevy of ...

Far from the best wave in Santa Cruz, unless you are a beginner (in which case this is where you should surf). Gets swell year round, but summer and autumn tend to be best.

SANTA CRUZ – Every time a massive swell is forecast, Santa Cruz’s hard-charging, big-wave surfer Alessandro “Alo” Slebir can hardly contain himself. Several times each winter, Slebir ...