Kickin' at Steamer's:
This is the premier surf spot in the city, Steamer Lane. It's dangerous as hell, because the best breaks are closest to the rocks. The typical Santa Cruz break is short and shallow. Steamers and Pleasure Point are the only two where the waves break long.
Steamer's is also notorious as the meanest spot on the coast. It's totally dominated by local boys, mostly from the West Side, and they are hell on outsiders and newcomers. Expect, at a minimum, to get your ankle cord yanked as you try to mount a wave. If they really don't like you, the tires on your woody might get slashed.
That's Cowell's. Soft, short, easy break. The perfect noob spot. This is where the surf teachers take valley kids. The hulk behind it is the Dream Inn. Once and forever a dump.
West Cliff Drive, the Sutton Place of Santa Cruz:
Seabright Beach:
My old stomping grounds. Not a surf beach -- the break is MUCH too short, but a big wave beach in the right weather, great for boogie boards, skim boards and body surfing. The summers of '82 and '97 saw some 20' monsters here. In winter, they can get even bigger.
When I was a kid, there was a natural bridge at then of that promontory. Erosion got it.
You can see my old house in this picture.
Yacht harbor breakwater, Twin Lakes Beach beyond:
The Boardwalk, one of only two surviving California seaside amusement parks. The coaster is wood, from 1924, and called the Giant Dipper:
The Casino:
It was never a gambling spot, always an amusement center. There used to be a huge saltwater pool in there called "The Plunge." Now it's got mini golf, go-carts, and a giant arcade.
That is the second Casino, built in 1907. The first one burned.
Stagnaro's on the Wharf:
The family has been here since 1879. They still dominate the Wharf, but mostly through restaurants and tours.
This is the last open air fish market on the wharf. As late as the '80s, there were four. Commercial fishing out of Santa Cruz is dying. The state recently placed a one year ban on fishing for wild salmon -- by far the most profitable catch -- and the fishermen doubt they can survive it.
My dad worked as fish gutter/net mender on Stagnaro boats in the 1950s.
California sea lions, the natural aristoi of the Monterey Bay:
Playin':
Chillin':
For those of you who think standards of dress are bad where you live, a sign most necessary in Santa Cruz:
An old fishing boat:
This clock tower was built in 1980. It has never worked. From the day it was built to this, at every minute, it has always been high noon:
This is the premier surf spot in the city, Steamer Lane. It's dangerous as hell, because the best breaks are closest to the rocks. The typical Santa Cruz break is short and shallow. Steamers and Pleasure Point are the only two where the waves break long.
Steamer's is also notorious as the meanest spot on the coast. It's totally dominated by local boys, mostly from the West Side, and they are hell on outsiders and newcomers. Expect, at a minimum, to get your ankle cord yanked as you try to mount a wave. If they really don't like you, the tires on your woody might get slashed.
That's Cowell's. Soft, short, easy break. The perfect noob spot. This is where the surf teachers take valley kids. The hulk behind it is the Dream Inn. Once and forever a dump.
West Cliff Drive, the Sutton Place of Santa Cruz:
Seabright Beach:
My old stomping grounds. Not a surf beach -- the break is MUCH too short, but a big wave beach in the right weather, great for boogie boards, skim boards and body surfing. The summers of '82 and '97 saw some 20' monsters here. In winter, they can get even bigger.
When I was a kid, there was a natural bridge at then of that promontory. Erosion got it.
You can see my old house in this picture.
Yacht harbor breakwater, Twin Lakes Beach beyond:
The Boardwalk, one of only two surviving California seaside amusement parks. The coaster is wood, from 1924, and called the Giant Dipper:
The Casino:
It was never a gambling spot, always an amusement center. There used to be a huge saltwater pool in there called "The Plunge." Now it's got mini golf, go-carts, and a giant arcade.
That is the second Casino, built in 1907. The first one burned.
Stagnaro's on the Wharf:
The family has been here since 1879. They still dominate the Wharf, but mostly through restaurants and tours.
This is the last open air fish market on the wharf. As late as the '80s, there were four. Commercial fishing out of Santa Cruz is dying. The state recently placed a one year ban on fishing for wild salmon -- by far the most profitable catch -- and the fishermen doubt they can survive it.
My dad worked as fish gutter/net mender on Stagnaro boats in the 1950s.
California sea lions, the natural aristoi of the Monterey Bay:
Playin':
Chillin':
For those of you who think standards of dress are bad where you live, a sign most necessary in Santa Cruz:
An old fishing boat:
This clock tower was built in 1980. It has never worked. From the day it was built to this, at every minute, it has always been high noon:
