Cowell's Beach

Cowell's Beach sits in the protected lee of the Santa Cruz Wharf, sheltered from the dominant northwest swell by the point, and this geography makes all the difference for families. While the main Boardwalk beach directly east sees occasional shore dump and stronger currents, Cowell's consistently produces the long, rolling, forgiving waves that make it the definitive beginner surf spot of Monterey Bay.

The beach is named after the Cowell family, early Santa Cruz landowners who donated significant portions of the coastline to the public. Today the beach is managed by the City of Santa Cruz Parks Department, with lifeguard coverage from Memorial Day through Labor Day and bathrooms and changing facilities on the back side of the beach.

Surf schools have operated at Cowell's for decades. Club Ed Surf School, founded in 1989, is the longest-established and most recommended for families with young children. Their instructors know every aspect of this break — how the waves change with tide, which spots are safest for different ability levels, and how to communicate the fundamentals of surfing to children as young as 5.

A two-hour group lesson ($80-$90) typically concludes with every participant having caught at least one wave to the beach, which is a strikingly high success rate.

The Santa Cruz Wharf, which extends from the east end of Cowell's Beach, is a half-mile public pier open free of charge. California sea lions have colonized the pilings underneath the wharf and are visible year-round, though numbers peak in winter. The sounds, smells, and spectacle of 50+ sea lions directly below the boardwalk planks is a memorable sensory experience for children.

For families who want to combine multiple experiences, Cowell's positions you perfectly: the Boardwalk is 5 minutes east, the wharf is immediately adjacent, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center is 15 minutes west by car, and Natural Bridges is 20 minutes west. The Cowell's area functions as the natural hub for a Santa Cruz family day.