Surf season
When to surf Steamer Lane
Northern California, USA
A punchy reef break.
Sep–Apr
Best months
When it is most consistent
4–7 ft
Typical face
Median day in season
Most days
Surfable days
In season
SJC
Nearest airport
Where we price the trip from
Month by month
Median conditions per calendar month, from years of hindcast at this break. The bar is how good the month is relative to this spot's own best month, so a fickle beach break is measured against itself and not against Pipeline.
| Month | Relative quality | Typical face | Surfable days | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7 ft | 99% | Peak | |
| Feb | 7 ft | 97% | Peak | |
| Mar | 7 ft | 97% | Peak | |
| Apr | 5 ft | 97% | Peak | |
| May | 5 ft | 90% | Shoulder | |
| Jun | 4 ft | 88% | Shoulder | |
| Jul | 4 ft | 82% | Shoulder | |
| Aug | 3 ft | 78% | Shoulder | |
| Sep | 4 ft | 96% | Peak | |
| Oct | 5 ft | 100% | Peak | |
| Nov | 6 ft | 99% | Peak | |
| Dec | 7 ft | 97% | Peak |
What it is like
- What makes it work
- Iconic rocky point off the Santa Cruz lighthouse; W/NW swell groomed by Monterey Bay.
- Sweet spot
- 6 ft faces
- Tide
- Best on a mid-incoming tide
- Nearest airport
- SJC
Getting there
Out of MCO we have seen round trips from $345 in season. Fares move, so the app watches them and tells you when one lines up with real swell here.
Other breaks in USA
We watch Steamer Lane so you do not have to
BarrelFare checks the surf forecast and live airfare together, and tells you when a cheap flight lands on a good swell here.
Get the appMonths above are medians from years of hindcast, not a forecast. A median tells you when to plan a trip. It does not promise waves on a given day.