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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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
Heads up
  • 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
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 4/3mm + Boots
Crowds by Season

Extremely crowded year-round, especially on weekends and during clean groundswells

Storm/Rain Season

December to March

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Reef break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeashBoots

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.

Restrictions
  • No motorized watercraft
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Picnic area
Restaurant
Toilets
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.