74°
Sunny
0%
73
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 a beach walk.
56°F water · 74°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny. High near 74, with temperatures falling to around 71 in the afternoon. West southwest wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
Patchy fog after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Weather
- 74°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 56°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
Safety
- UV 11 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
66 /100
good
49 Swim
80 Sunbathe
87 Walk
66 Fish
82 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
74°F
Sunny
Wind
7 mph
WSW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
11 Extreme
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~18m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
72°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
56°F
Cold
Barometer
30.06 inHg
1018 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
18 cfu/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
9:02 AM
Sunset
11:25 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| 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 |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:24 AM | High | 4.4 ft |
| 8:55 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| 3:46 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 10:07 PM | Low | 1.8 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:36 AM | High | 3.7 ft |
| 9:33 AM | Low | 1.3 ft |
| 4:29 PM | High | 5.1 ft |
| 11:29 PM | Low | 1.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:08 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 10:13 AM | Low | 2.0 ft |
| 5:14 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:45 AM | Low | 1.1 ft |
| 7:02 AM | High | 3.0 ft |
| 11:00 AM | Low | 2.5 ft |
| 6:00 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:49 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 8:48 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 11:58 AM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 6:47 PM | High | 5.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:40 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 9:56 AM | High | 3.4 ft |
| 1:01 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
| 7:34 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9413450, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
72°
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
1%
71
74°
Partly Sunny
1%
73
80°
Partly Sunny
2%
75
75°
Mostly Sunny
1%
73
76°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
0%
73
76°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
0%
73
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 11 — very high
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 56°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
1:20 AM - 2:20 AM
Major
6:50 AM - 8:50 AM
Minor
1:20 PM - 2:20 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