Our map of “Best Places to Paddle Board…” content is swelling across the Southern California coast to include recommendations for San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles County. But now it’s time to point the compass ever-so-slightly north towards a cooler but no less beautiful destination.
Something changes where San Luis Obispo splits the state like the parting of the Red Sea. Northern California is proudly poles apart from the glitz and glam worn by its southern compatriot. Nowhere is that more apparent than in Santa Cruz. The general public knows Santa Cruz for its world famous boardwalk and amusement park and as the place where Corey Haim and Corey Feldman battled vampires, but it also boasts world class surf. In fact, it had been in a contentious war with Huntington Beach for the title of “Surf City USA”. While the impressive waves that push through Steamer’s Lane have elevated the beach town to fame amongst those who paddle and pop-up, is it the place to be for stand-up paddle boarders too? Absolutely, although conditions can be temperamentally seasonal and require that you monitor the local surf report to ensure waves are in the 0. To 0.3 m range. For this reason, quality of equipment is essential, so be sure to purchase and pack a Sea Gods paddleboard before venturing into these NorCal waters. With that out of the way, we can now look at the best places to paddle board in Santa Cruz.
Top 4 Paddle Boarding Destinations to Bring Your Sea Gods ISUP to When in Santa Cruz California
Santa Cruz Wharf
Skill Level: Intermediate and up
When the waves are mellow, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better setting to paddle board around this neck of the state. The glassy conditions during a calm day at the sand-bottomed Cowell’s Beach (where the Wharf is) are complemented by one of the most interesting backdrops you will ever find. To the north and south are jutting seaside cliffs, while the inland is view is decorated by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Amusement Park where after-session food, drink, and fun await. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to pull yourself away from this paddling experience due to the company you’ll keep. The platforms and pilings of Santa Cruz Wharf are home to one of the largest gathering of sea lions that you will ever see. You’ll be dazzled as they dart in and out of the dark water to rest when not feeding their bellies. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you’re joined by a friend on your Sea Gods board when paddling around the wharf. It might be a good idea to invest in the most stable ISUP to accommodate you both.
Santa Cruz Harbor
Skill Level: Beginner
No need to check the surf report for this entry on the list of best places to paddle board in Santa Cruz. Like with any marina, the Santa Cruz Harbor offers beginners an opportunity to paddle without stressing about swell and wind conditions. That being said, feel free to check the local webcams to see if the marine layer has lifted, as morning and early afternoon fog can obliterate visibility. And what is the setting like? In addition to eyeing the fishing boats and recreational vessels that venture in and out of Monterey Bay, you’ll enjoy an incomparable view of the Walton Lighthouse. Be sure to fasten your GoPro (or other similar camera) to this Sea Gods Action Camera Mount to capture the entire experience. When done, sampling the fare from the seafood eateries along the harbor is a must!
Soquel Creek
Skill Level: Beginner and up
Stand-up paddle boarding in a creek offers SUPers an alternative to harbors for calm (relatively) water paddling. Soquel Creek is bookended by lush Northern California brush with a few creekside homes to admire along the way. The most photogenic portion of the paddling experience is found at the Stockton Bridge and Union Pacific train trestle overhead. Soquel Creek is a great place to bring your Sea Gods Elemental Wave CX (best all-around paddle board) as the creek-mouth splits Capitola State Beach, where more adventurous paddlers can venture through, Read ahead for more.
Capitola State Beach
Skill Level: Intermediate and up
Capitola State Beach segues paddlers from Soquel Creek (above) into a more venturesome experience. Located adjacent to the main Santa Cruz area, Capitola also boasts a wooden wharf that attracts visiting SUPers who prefer to skip the bustle of the boardwalk. Less experienced intermediates will enjoy the embrace of the river mouth, while advanced paddlers can steer their Skylla CX Cross Touring ISUP through the wharf’s pilings (on calm days) to enjoy the cliff-backed Hooper Beach towards Vista Point. When done, take photos of Capitola’s colorful beachfront homes and then head over to Margaritaville for great Mexican food and margaritas!
Make sure you pack your new Sea Gods inflatable stand-up paddle board and essential accessories before your next excursion to enjoy the best SUPing spots detailed above. If you have any questions about our products, shipping, and warranty feel free to contact Sea Gods USA at any time.