Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Four Mile is a high-performance, right-hand point/reef break located four miles north of Santa Cruz along Highway 1 at the northern edge of Wilder Ranch State Park. It’s known for fast, rippable waves that can produce long, clean walls and occasional barrels when swell and tide align. For surfing, sources describe a mid-tide preference, with the spot able to work on most tides as long as conditions are not at extreme ends. Wave quality is generally reported as good to excellent, and the break is described as semi-sheltered—partially sheltered from NW winds—though strong afternoon NW conditions can also blow sessions out and make the surf less workable. Safety is a major focus at this launch area. The bottom is rocky and semi-gnarly, with heavy kelp and submerged rocks that are especially hazardous at low tide. Strong currents can develop with larger swells, and shark concerns are explicitly noted, so surfing with a buddy is recommended. There is also a theft risk in the parking area, so valuables should not be left in vehicles. Wind-based riding becomes especially relevant in spring and summer afternoons when NW winds strengthen. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are described as advanced and primarily wave-oriented, with locations and conditions driven by NW wind timing. Crowding tends to spike on weekends and on windy days when conditions favor the spot.
- Right-hand point/reef break with fast, rippable walls
- Winter surf described as reliable (best months reported as November–February in one source; January specifically in another)
- NW winds can make it a strong wave-riding destination in spring/summer afternoons
- High-performance right-hand point/reef break with fast, rippable walls and occasional barrels
- Partially sheltered from NW winds for surfing at times
- NW winds can create strong conditions for wave riding during spring/summer afternoons
- Rocky/reef bottom with heavy kelp makes conditions risky, especially at low tide
- Strong currents reported when swell is bigger
- Shark concerns in the area
- Crowded on weekends and on windy/offshore NW days
- Theft risk in the parking area
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — NW winds with afternoon thermal strengthening reported for spring/summer; also described as a NW gradient pattern.
- Reliability
- High during spring and summer afternoons
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- A small wind shadow very close to shore is possible near the northern cliff edge.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rock/reef bottom at the break. Other descriptions mention sandy access/launch with shallow reef sections.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Big — Reported as capable of significant size; one source notes it doesn’t love very large swells, while another describes it holding size and becoming very powerful and heavy.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy/valley trail access described; beach/launch is via a walk down from a dirt turnout/parking area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty; includes a walk from parking to the beach and hazards from rocks/kelp.
Through the year
Crowded on weekends; fewer surfers during the week. Big crowds on windy days.
November through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Advanced wave-riding described for NW winds; launch from the beach and ride rights breaking off the point. Not for beginners due to rocks and heavy kelp.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Premier wave-sailing spot with down-the-line riding on the right-handers during NW winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 3.7–5 m²
Possible but challenging due to heavy kelp and rocky bottom near shore; foilers need to be cautious of depth when coming in.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil friendliness due to kelp/reef depth constraints.
- Min Depth
- Requires walking out past the inner reef/kelp
- Wing Sizes
- 3.5–5 m²
Fast, rippable right-hand reef/point break with occasional barrels (classic right point break). Works best on mid tide; handles significant size and produces high-quality walls when conditions align.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNW, W, WNW, NW, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–3.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Most consistently described as mid tide; also noted that it can work on most tides as long as extremes are avoided.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Partially sheltered from NW winds; cliff/terrain creates localized shelter effects very close to shore.
- Wind Effect
- Partially sheltered from NW winds; can get blown out in stronger afternoon NW conditions. Crowding reported on offshore NW days.
- Bigger Swell
- Doesn't love very large swells (one description), but another notes it can hold size well and becomes very powerful and heavy on bigger sets.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Quality reported from good to excellent depending on swell size and wind.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate in one source, and powerful in another depending on conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Also reported as medium peel speed in other summaries—generally described as fast-to-medium peeling rights.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long, rippable right-hand walls; rides can run long when swell picks up.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- One source notes long rights towards the beach; another reports rides commonly around 100–200 meters on a good day.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast) in the full forecast view.
Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- NW310°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2612 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.6 m10s period
- Temperature
- 9–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.0–1.6 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Sharks
- Submerged rocks
- Strong currents
- Heavy kelp
- Cold water
- Theft in parking lot
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for this remote spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-site rescue reported.
- Emergency Info
- In case of emergency, dial 911; nearest medical facilities are in Santa Cruz.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Reported as moderate localism; visitors can sometimes feel unwelcome.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing/windsport etiquette applies; surf with a buddy and be extra cautious around rocks and currents.
- Not recommended for beginners due to rocks and heavy kelp.
- Be cautious of reduced depth over reef/kelp, especially when launching/coming in.
- The current can be strong when there is a lot of swell—approach with caution.
- Don't leave valuables in the car.
- Watch for rocks at low tide.
- There is a special area called 'the oven' where people congregate and it is protected by big cliffs—use extra caution when approaching/congregating there.
- It's recommended to surf with a buddy due to shark concerns.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Santa Cruz
- Nearest Town
- Santa Cruz
- Parking
- Large dirt parking area; can fill up quickly on weekends. Parking also available across Highway 1. Extreme caution advised against leaving valuables in vehicles due to theft.
- Public Transport
- Very limited; most access is via personal vehicle.
- Access
- Dirt parking area on the left side of Highway 1, four miles north of Santa Cruz at the northern edge of Wilder Ranch State Park; approximately 0.5-mile (30–60 minute) dirt path walk down to the beach. Another access description: park in the dirt turnout on the ocean side of Highway 1 and follow the trail down the valley.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited lodging in Davenport; wider range of hotels/vacation rentals in Santa Cruz, plus camping at Wilder Ranch.
- Food & Drink
- Nearest options are in Davenport to the north or Santa Cruz to the south.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental not available at the beach; gear must be rented from shops in Santa Cruz (or nearby).
- Gear Storage
- None reported on-site.
- Gear Repair
- No repair on-site; board and kite repair available in Santa Cruz.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A rugged, northwest-facing coastline near Santa Cruz with an active windsport community and dramatic ocean vistas along Highway 1.
A sea stack shaped like a shark fin, popular for photography and beach walks.
A historic two-cell jailhouse built in 1914.
Coastal terrace trails for hiking and mountain biking with dramatic ocean views.
A local landmark serving baked goods, breakfast, and American fare.
A historic seaside amusement park with rides, games, and entertainment.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast)?
The best overall months at Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast) are June, July, August, September, November, December, January. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast)?
Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast) works with NW, NNW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast): Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 3.7–5 m² · Wingfoiling: 3.5–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast) suitable for?
Four Mile (Santa Cruz Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.