Cowell Beach
Santa Cruz, CA
Cowell Beach sits just west of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, a genuinely popular learn-to-surf beach thanks to its gentle, forgiving break compared to the more advanced spots nearby. It's one of the best beginner surf beaches on the Central Coast, and it shows in how many lessons are happening on any given morning.
A genuinely excellent beginner surf beach right next to the wharf, though its popularity for lessons means the lineup can get crowded on a good day.
How we score beachesBook a surf lesson if you've never tried it, this is one of the most beginner-friendly breaks anywhere on this coast and the lesson operators here know exactly what they're doing.
Free parking is available nearby, though it's limited and fills on weekends.
Beach stairs lead down to the sand.
Dogs are not allowed at Cowell Beach at any time, leashed or not.
Fog is common most mornings year round, typical of the Santa Cruz coast.
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