Cowell's Beach
Cowell's Beach
4
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One of the best and most popular beaches in the United States for learning to surf.
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Reach out directly
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310 within 3 miles
Attractions
140 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
73 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
20
Average
11
Poor
7
Terrible
7
DaveTurlock_ca
Turlock, ca132 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
I am not a professional photographer, but try to work in some good scenes for my DSLR from time to time. While staying in Santa Cruz Dec 10-13, 2012 Cowell Beach was an excellent shooting point especially at sunset. For some really nice shots of the bay and Santa Cruz, give this a try, I think you will like it....Good luck trip advisor fans.
Written December 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michel V
New York City, NY176 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
I am an avid beach goer and I love the ocean. I visit Santa Cruz frequently and love to stop by Cowell's beach when in town. The view is beautiful from all angles. If you surf this is a great spot. Access is a bit tricky as you have to go down steep stairs, a bit difficult with a long board. The stairs lead you straight to the water. Very little sand and large rocks make it a bit difficult to access but once in the water the enchantment begins. Hang lose!
Written November 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HereWeGo39
25 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
My daughter decided to take a surfing lesson in Hawaii two days prior to arriving in Santa Cruz for...more surf lessons! She had so much fun in Hawaii that I signed her up for more lessons in Santa Cruz since we'd be in California for another week post-Hawaii. The beach is close to everything: the wharf, the boardwalk, hotels, restaurants, shops. There are public restrooms and fresh water showers. Plenty of places close by to rent boogie boards, umbrellas, beach chairs, surf boards and wetsuits. Nice little beach, great for beginner surfers. I watched a lot of people exiting the water with huge smiles on their faces after surfing. Lots of tourists from foreign lands, families with kids, couples, people going for a walk or jog. Good place to spend the day!
Written June 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
indigo2star
Santa Cruz, CA24 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Warning. This beach has problems with drug addicts leaving trash and syringes/needles on the beach. The water quality has tested as one of the dirtiest in California. It's beautiful beach, but because of these problems many locals no longer allow their kids there.
The Santa Cruz City Council has recently put a 10 pm curfew on the beach to prevent transients camping there. Time will tell if this improves the situation.
The Santa Cruz City Council has recently put a 10 pm curfew on the beach to prevent transients camping there. Time will tell if this improves the situation.
Written May 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
giamhall
Santa Cruz, CA2 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
Beach is dirty and contaminated. Not safe usually for body contact. Check the local Sentinel which posts the water quality for beaches in the area. Wouldn't let anyone I know swim there.
Watch for druggies and needles and syringes on the beach. Big problem.
Watch for druggies and needles and syringes on the beach. Big problem.
Written May 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JeriLG
Santa Cruz, CA1,408 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
I swim open water. This beach used to be a favorite. The water quality has been terrible for some time now. Santa Cruz Sentinel ran a story recently how bad it is. In addition, there are drug issues on land. Needles have been turning up. Stick to the other side of the wharf.
Written June 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amber F
San jose3 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
Beach was dirty with litter. The surf was nice and great views but just clean enough for a family to feel comfortable.
Written April 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carmamarie
Santa Cruz, CA214 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Needles and human feces can be found here on the regular. Would never go here especially with children. Santa Cruz County has many beautiful beaches but this one is to be avoided.
Written June 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel A
Beijing, China35,130 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
This was my least favorite beach in Santa Cruz. It wasn’t very clean or there must have been some kind of activity. We were there 10 minutes, there were more surfers and that was the end of that. Don’t waste your time here.
Written July 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hannahbannana
Penn Valley, CA152 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
It's really such a shame that this beach is so gross- it could be beautiful. But the seaweed is left everywhere to rot and stink. Swarms of flies land all over you no matter what you do. 4th of July weekend, you think the city would have raked the rotting stinking seaweed. It was horrible on both sides of the pier. I wish so much we had gone somewhere else.
Written July 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My niece will be taking a surf lesson there this weekend. are we allowed to bbq on that beach? planning to bring tables and a bbq grill.
Written March 26, 2018
Lifeguard on duty over the weekends? Bathrooms? Parking nearby? Easy walk/no stairs? I have 10 girls with have a lot of stuff who want to boogie board for a bday party in 2 weeks. Deciding between Capitola or Cowell's Beach.
Written August 29, 2017
Yes to all of your questions. Great beach and recommended.
Written December 27, 2017
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