Pleasure Point Second Peak
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pleasure Point Second Peak is a reef break known for barrelling lefts and rights over a rock ledge, though it often doesn’t work very often and has no strong seasonal pattern for wave occurrence. When it does line up with good conditions, the waves are described as more mellow/approachable than more aggressive nearby sections, making it a go-to area for surfers seeking long, connected rides. Clean and consistent surf is most often associated with September. Conditions are commonly described as best on lower tide, and surfers should expect the lineup to be busy, especially during weekends and when clean groundswells arrive. Wind can shape texture and performance, with best results generally tied to the wind aligning with offshore directions for grooming. Safety is a major consideration at this specific reef launch: hazards include rocks, submerged rock features, thick kelp beds, and regional shark presence. Heavy crowds and local lineup dynamics are also noted, so surfers are advised to follow standard surfing etiquette, wait your turn, and be prepared for a more challenging entry/exit than sandy beaches due to reef features. Gear and physical readiness matter—heavy kelp can slow paddling and may require higher-volume boards to get through, particularly in late summer. A spring-leaning wetsuit recommendation is consistently mentioned, alongside the practical reminder that lower-tide setups tend to improve both wave catchability and overall ride quality.
- Long, peeling right-hand rides (and reported lefts/rights) over a rock ledge
- Low tide favored for catchability and wave form
- September most often tied to consistent clean waves
- Classic reef point-break section known for long, peeling rides
- Clean-wave consistency is most often reported in September
- Longboard-friendly options with longer right-hand wave characteristics
- Reef hazards including submerged rocks and heavy kelp
- Shark presence is reported regionally
- Crowds are often heavy
- Waves can be too small or not working frequently
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, N
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, NE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon onshore sea breezes common
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gustiness reported
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered slightly by the cliffs from North winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky reef setting
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — Accessible via stairs from East Cliff Drive
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Access via stairways; reef navigation required
Through the year
Extremely crowded year-round, especially on weekends and during clean groundswells
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Second Peak is a reasonably exposed reef break on the Pleasure Point complex that does not work very often with no particular seasonal pattern, but clean waves are most consistent in September. Reported wave behavior includes barreling lefts and rights over a rock ledge; the section is also described as a longer, more approachable right-hand ride compared with other nearby sections.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, SW
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is generally best
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Generally exposed reef break; semi-sheltered characteristics mentioned
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore East or Northeast winds; North/Northwest wind is side-shore and can create texture.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but can become a heavy 'mush-burger' if too large without the right period.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Clean waves are most consistent in September
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Barreling right/left over a rock ledge is reported; typical shape described as peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Long, peeling waves that can connect through multiple sections
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- 100–200 m rides are reported; also described as longboard-friendly with longer, softer shoulder characteristics.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pleasure Point Second Peak in the full forecast view.
Pleasure Point Second Peak wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- WNW294°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 237 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pleasure Point Second Peak is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.7–1.2 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
- rocks
- sharks
- submerged rocks
- thick kelp beds
- heavy crowds
- kelpy reef
- submerged rocks
- great white sharks (regional)
- aggressive localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergencies; Dominican Hospital is the nearest major medical facility.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local lineup behavior is described as moderate-to-aggressive
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup and wait your turn.
- No motorized watercraft
- Best surfed on lower tides as high tide can make the wave fat and difficult to catch.
- Watch for the 'stairway' rocks when entering and exiting.
- Heavy kelp can be an issue here, especially in late summer, often requiring high-volume boards to paddle through.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Santa Cruz
- Nearest Town
- Pleasure Point
- Nearest Airport
- San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- Parking
- One parking lot at the end of East Cliff Drive and 41st Avenue; additional parking typically found in residential areas near the Point.
- Public Transport
- Santa Cruz Metro bus system provides regional transit, though many travelers prefer a car for transporting gear.
- Access
- Public access via stairways located along East Cliff Drive between 30th and 41st Avenues.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals and hotels in the Santa Cruz and Capitola area.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple cafes and surf shops within walking distance on Portola Drive.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at several surf shops on 41st Avenue.
- Gear Repair
- Available at local surf shops on 41st Avenue.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pleasure Point Second Peak?
The best overall months at Pleasure Point Second Peak are September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Pleasure Point Second Peak?
Pleasure Point Second Peak works with NE, E, N winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, NE.
What skill level is Pleasure Point Second Peak suitable for?
Pleasure Point Second Peak suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.