Santa Cruz Beach Closures and Evacuations: What We Know About the 35-Foot Wave Emergency
If you're headed to the Santa Cruz waterfront right now, turn around. Officials have issued evacuation orders across Santa Cruz County as massive, potentially deadly waves slam the Central Coast, according to early reports. Beaches and state parks are shut down, and authorities are telling people bluntly: stay away from the water.
Related: Santa Rosa Rent Control: What Tenants and Landlords Need to Know About the City's Local Protections · Flood Advisory in Orange County Until 3 a.m. Friday: What to Know About the Storm
Waves up to 35 feet are expected along the Central Coast, according to KSBW. That's not a rogue set here and there - that's consistent, dangerous surf that's already forcing evacuations in low-lying areas near the shore. The San Francisco Chronicle reports officials have been direct: "Stay away from beaches."
This is a developing situation and conditions may change rapidly. Check back for updates.
What's Being Closed
Beaches and state parks up and down the Central Coast are shuttered as the surf event hits, per KSBW. Specific closures in Santa Cruz County are part of the broader shutdown tied to the hazardous conditions. If you had plans at any local beach, park, or coastal trail today, assume it's closed until officials say otherwise.
See also: What California Renters Need to Know About the Eviction Process - and How the Law Limits It · What California Renters Need to Know About Security Deposits
The Bigger Picture
The swell is so significant that surfers are chasing it too - the New York Times reports big-wave riders are scrambling to Mavericks, the famous Northern California break, to ride what the paper describes as building-size waves. That gives you a sense of the scale of what's rolling in. What's thrilling for elite surfers is life-threatening for anyone else near the water right now.
What Santa Cruz Residents Should Do
Stay off the beaches, full stop. If you live in a low-lying coastal area in Santa Cruz County and you've been told to evacuate, go. Early reports indicate evacuation orders are active, and with waves this size, the margin for error is zero. Keep an eye on Santa Cruz County emergency channels and local news for updates on when closures might lift.