Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz has closed all city beaches and the Santa Cruz Wharf as powerful Pacific Ocean waves threaten California’s coastline, with dangerous surf conditions expected through the weekend.
The Santa Cruz beach closures began Friday, November 13, at 10 p.m. and are scheduled to remain in effect until 5 a.m. Sunday, November 15, according to city officials.
The National Weather Service issued a High Surf Warning for the Central Coast and San Francisco Bay Area, forecasting breaking waves between 25 and 35 feet, with occasional waves potentially reaching 50 feet.
Officials warned that powerful waves could overwhelm swimmers, create dangerous rip currents and sweep people into the ocean. Even visitors standing well away from the water could face serious risks from unexpectedly large waves.
The Santa Cruz Wharf will also remain closed during the restriction, although city officials said the structure is considered safe. It remained open during regular business hours Friday before the closure took effect.
Santa Cruz Fire Chief Rob Oatey urged residents and visitors to respect the restrictions, warning that entering hazardous coastal areas could endanger both visitors and marine safety personnel responding to emergencies.
Cowell Beach had already been closed Thursday after a fin whale stranded and died along the shoreline. The beach will remain closed until further notice, separately from the weekend-wide restrictions.
The Santa Cruz beach closures come as authorities issued evacuation warnings for several low-lying coastal areas in Santa Cruz County. Officials warned that large waves could cause coastal flooding and make access to affected neighborhoods difficult.
Capitola Village and several areas near Rio Del Mar were among the locations facing evacuation warnings. Residents were advised to prepare to leave if conditions worsened or emergency access became limited.
Other California coastal destinations also faced restrictions because of the dangerous surf. Carmel River State Beach, Garrapata State Beach and Asilomar State Beach in Monterey County were scheduled to close during the same period, with possible extensions depending on ocean conditions.
City officials said they would continue monitoring the weather and surf throughout the weekend. Reopening plans for Santa Cruz beaches and the wharf depend on whether conditions become safe enough for public access.
