Manresa State Beach / California / United States

Upon leaving the southern border of Santa Cruz, the view will turn suddenly to the Fertile Crescent, where the rich soil is used to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, these privately owned lands means little to no access to the miles of completely perfect beaches. Unless you want to sneak in through the farms, perhaps instead go to the Manresa State Beach.

Unlike most of Santa Cruz’s south facing beaches, Manresa faces the west, and so while other spots might be flat or calm, surfers can try here and find overhead wave conditions. Overall, the sandy beaches and year-round consistent wave conditions make this a good place for beginner to advanced water sport enthusiasts alike. Water sports can be enjoyed here all year.

This west facing beach is very large, giving surfers, wind surfers, and kite surfers alike the opportunity to enjoy some great wind and wave conditions. Best swell directions come in from the west, northwest, and southwest and usually is ground-based. Wind and kite surfers fare best under the eastern flowing winds.

Manresa is easily accessed off of Highway 1, which you can also use to take yourself back up to Santa Cruz for some manmade entertainment. Should you want to fully engulf yourself in this beautiful state park, there are camping grounds nearby, and you can also take part in kayaking, hiking, surf fishing, and other outdoor activities.

Sharks are a dangerous reality in this area, so be cautious when travelling out. Also, when swells are large, only the most experienced of surfers should venture out, as the extreme paddling to get to the waves can physically exhaust any novice.