The ocean is about to turn Santa Cruz’s famous coastline into a no-go zone.
With an El Niño-fueled North Pacific swell expected to unleash breaking waves as high as 35 feet along portions of the California coast, Santa Cruz officials are taking a drastic step: closing all city beaches and the iconic Santa Cruz Wharf.
According to a city announcement, the shutdown begins Friday, November 13, at 10 p.m. and runs until Sunday, November 15, at 5 a.m., with reopening contingent on ocean conditions.
The wharf, officials emphasized, remains structurally safe. But in December 2024, another monster swell tore a section of the structure into the ocean. This time, officials aren’t taking chances.
“Our first priority is keeping our community safe,” said Santa Cruz Fire Chief Rob Oatey. His warning was unequivocal: “Please respect these closures and give the ocean the space it demands.”
And there’s good reason for the extraordinary precaution.
The National Weather Service has issued a high-surf warning, forecasting 25-to-35-foot waves along exposed stretches of coastline. Waves can surge unexpectedly across beaches, rocks and coastal access points, threatening even spectators who think they’re a safe distance from the water.
Meanwhile, Surfline’s Kevin Wallis says: “The North Pacific has entered mid-winter form,” despite the calendar still reading November.
In its latest swell outlook, Surfline forecasts that: “Northern California spots will reach the XXL realm this weekend.” Powerful low-pressure systems are generating modeled seas of 45 to 50 feet well offshore, with long-period west-northwest swell building through Saturday.
That has big-wave surfers watching Maverick’s, where the right combination of swell, wind, and tide could produce an enormous session.
But XXL doesn’t necessarily mean clean—or safe—conditions.
Elsewhere, in possibly unrelated Santa Cruz news, a dead whale recently washed up onshore; see here and below.
The Santa Cruz Harbor District is also warning of dangerous surges and 12-to-15-foot waves around the harbor, with another swell peak expected Monday, November 16.
Heavy rain and gusty weather only complicate matters.
The waves might put on a spectacular show, but officials want everyone watching from somewhere the Pacific can’t reach. Stay safe this weekend.
Related: Watch: Gigantic 53-Foot Seas Fuel ‘Parade of Storms’ Heading for California (Video)
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