On Saturday, November 14, a massive North Pacific swell arrived in California’s. And in Santa Cruz, the ocean didn’t stop at the beach.
Shocking footage circulating online shows enormous waves detonating against the bluffs along West Cliff Drive, sending whitewater skyward, over onlookers, and across the road. A street usually reserved for cars, bikes, and sunset strolls turned into an extension of the Pacific. One observer compared the walls of water to a five-story building.
The video, credited to Instagram creator @golder_route, captures exactly why officials urged people to stay away. Take a look below.
“The Pacific Ocean reminding everyone who’s in charge,” wrote Kalletka Undersea Co. “A large wave explodes over unsuspecting onlookers hitting cars, bikes and houses along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, California.”
The National Weather Service warned of 25-to-35-foot breaking waves along exposed stretches of Northern California, with occasional 40-to-50-foot sets at favored locations. On Saturday, its coastal flood advisory predicted surf would “crash over seawalls,” inundating low-lying infrastructure.
Santa Cruz had already closed its city beaches and famous wharf ahead of the swell. “Please respect these closures and give the ocean the space it demands,” Fire Chief Rob Oatey urged.
This isn’t West Cliff’s first beating. Storms in 2022 and 2023 chewed away at the road and walking path, forcing emergency erosion repairs. Nearby Steamer Lane has suffered repeated cliff collapses, including two rockfalls this summer that dumped rubble near the lineup.
Saturday’s chaos extended beyond Santa Cruz. Other Northern California locations like Pacifica, Monterey Bay, and Carmel took a beating and saw some of the biggest waves in years, while huge surf pummeled exposed beaches and surf spots.
Check out the unfathomably large waves in Carmel, linked here, and below:
Why was the flooding so severe? Powerful northwest swell arrived against a backdrop of elevated coastal water levels. NOAA says El Niño-driven Kelvin waves can temporarily raise California’s sea level six to 12 inches or more, making storm surf more damaging when it coincides with high tides. That’s an added factor, not proof that El Niño alone generated Saturday’s waves.
And it’s not over. Santa Cruz Harbor officials are warning of another significant swell on Monday, November 16.
The Pacific has already demonstrated that an oceanfront road is no match for its full force. The next pulse is approaching.
And then there’s the mayhem that went down at Maverick’s…more to come on that.
“This is just the beginning,” wrote Surfline, ominously, in the clip above.
Stay tuned.
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