77°
Mostly Cloudy
5%
69
Santa Cruz County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Santa Cruz Main Beach
400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
A half-mile of sand fronting the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — California's oldest amusement park (1907), the Giant Dipper wooden coaster, and the iconic Looff Carousel. Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point surf breaks are a short walk west. Warm-water bay swimming in summer.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for photography.
59°F water · 77°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly cloudy. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 74 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 1 to 5 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Wind around 0 mph.
Weather
- 77°F air — ideal beach weather
- Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too
Water
- 59°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
- 4.3ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
57 /100
good
39 Swim
71 Sunbathe
81 Walk
66 Fish
86 Photo
Best for photography today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
1 to 5 mph
SSW
Rain
5%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
83°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
59°F
Cold
Next High Tide
9:01 PM
6.9 ft · in 5.8h
Wave Height
4.3 ft
15s · SSW swell
Barometer
29.94 inHg
1014 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
18 cfu/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:58 AM
Sunset
11:28 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:55 AM | Low | -1.3 ft |
| 10:51 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 2:35 PM | Low | 2.8 ft |
| 9:01 PM | High | 6.9 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:43 AM | Low | -1.6 ft |
| 11:36 AM | High | 3.9 ft |
| 3:36 PM | Low | 2.7 ft |
| 9:54 PM | High | 7.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:29 AM | Low | -1.7 ft |
| 12:18 PM | High | 4.0 ft |
| 4:36 PM | Low | 2.6 ft |
| 10:45 PM | High | 6.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:14 AM | Low | -1.6 ft |
| 12:59 PM | High | 4.2 ft |
| 5:36 PM | Low | 2.4 ft |
| 11:37 PM | High | 6.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:56 AM | Low | -1.3 ft |
| 1:40 PM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 6:37 PM | Low | 2.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:29 AM | High | 5.9 ft |
| 7:37 AM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| 2:21 PM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 7:41 PM | Low | 2.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:23 AM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 8:17 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 3:03 PM | High | 4.8 ft |
| 8:50 PM | Low | 2.0 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9413450, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
83°
Partly Sunny
1%
76
84°
Mostly Sunny
1%
76
85°
Mostly Sunny
0%
75
74°
Mostly Sunny
1%
74
74°
Mostly Sunny
4%
75
74°
Partly Sunny
2%
75
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 59°F — dangerously cold
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Major
1:10 AM - 3:10 AM
Minor
6:20 AM - 7:20 AM
Major
1:40 PM - 3:40 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid municipal lots near the Boardwalk; metered street parking on Beach Street.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the Main Beach year-round (24/7) per Santa Cruz Municipal Code 8.14.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Santa Cruz Main Beach today?
Santa Cruz Main Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Santa Cruz Main Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the Main Beach year-round (24/7) per Santa Cruz Municipal Code 8.14.
Is there an entry fee at Santa Cruz Main Beach?
Entry to Santa Cruz Main Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Santa Cruz Main Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Santa Cruz Main Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Santa Cruz Main Beach?
Amenities at Santa Cruz Main Beach include lifeguards, boardwalk, amusement park, restaurants, restrooms, showers, shops.
When is the water warmest at Santa Cruz Main Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Santa Cruz Main Beach located?
Santa Cruz Main Beach is in Santa Cruz County, CA, at 400 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS