About

I grew up surfing this spot and it will always have a warm place in my heart.

(note from ed. anonymous contribution... "Girls also surf at 4 mile": the above text now stands corrected!)

Atmosphere:
Most of the boys surfing this spot have been surfing it for a couple of decades at least. The crowd is friendly, while competitive, to its own. Outsiders may feel less at home, but will still get a few waves. What makes 4-mile a special place is the atmosphere out of the water. In what has become known as "the oven", an area protected by the large cliffs that ring the spot, surfers, significant others, families, dogs, etc... congregate. It is hardly unusual to see students studying while boyfriends rip it up outside.

Additional Info:
4-Mile is one of the more consistent spots north of Santa Cruz. Well protected from the wind, it begs for big crowds on windy small days when nothing else is really doing it. On small to medium sized days the paddle out is a pretty easy walk out to the end of the point, jump in and paddle over to the peak. The more adventurous do this on the bigger days, but this technique is not suggested for the first timer. on lower tides the place has two distinct take -off zones with the inside bowl generally unmakable from the outside as well as generally a better wave. Very round on the take off, the wave hugs the reef all the way into the inside and is a fairly easy surf both front and backside.

Location

Access

4-Mile, as its name indicates, is located 4 miles north of Santa Cruz city limits. A large dirt parking area ususally stacked with cars lets you know that you are there.

Wave Characteristics

Ideal Conditions

Crowd

Dangers

Localism, Sharks

Videos

None