Permits & Reservations

Surfing

Whether you are a beginner surfer or a seasoned pro, County Parks offers special opportunities to enhance your experience at County beaches! County Parks offers surf contest permits across the county and surf lessons through our surf school concessionaire program at Pleasure Point and the Hook!

Moran Lake Beach

Black Surf Club Santa Cruz at Pleasure Point

View of Capitola Beach

Surf School

The Hook

Black Surf Club Santa Cruz at Pleasure Point

Sunny Cove

Surf Contest Permits

Interested in hosting a surf contest at a County beach?
Learn how to apply below!

How to Apply

Complete the Request Form and email to reservations@scparks.com.

After you Apply

Upon review, a confirmation email will be sent with the status of your request. Once approved, a permit will be sent for signature through DocuSign. Payment is due at the time of signature and can be received by phone, check, or in person. Payment plans may be approved upon request.

Fees, Rules & Regulations

Please review our current pricing, rules, and regulations. Please be aware that some sites have special restrictions.

Surf Schools

County Parks is pleased to offer surf lessons through the Surf School Concessionaire Program.
You can learn to surf at Pleasure Point and the Hook with permitted, professional, and local surf schools!

Nonprofit Surf School Program

In a strategic effort to engage with the entire county of Santa Cruz and ensure our coastal access points are truly open to all; a Municipal Access Partnership Permit (MAPP) was implemented in 2024. Alongside the current standing commercial Surf School Concessionaire Program this new MAPP will be introduced and awarded in a separate application system to additional non-profit groups for similar services. The Department will award up to three (3) non-profit agencies a MAPP annually.

Application Link

Application Opens: October 24^th, 2025

Application Workshop: October 30^th, 2025 optional for non-profits 2:00-4:00pm Parks Office

Question Deadline: 5:00 PM Pacific Time, November 6th, 2025

Submit questions by email to Garrett.Smart@santacruzcountyca.gov

Submittal Deadline: 5:00 PM Pacific Time, November 28th, 2025

Proposal must be submitted by this Deadline.

Submittal Location: Santa Cruz County Parks Office, 979 17^th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Contact Person: Garrett Smart

Email: Garrett.smart@santacruzcountyca.gov; Phone: 831.454.7938

Contact Us

Phone:

(831) 454-7938

Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays

Email:

reservations@parks.santacruzcountyca.gov

Our physical office is open, but staff availability is limited as most staff members are working remotely.