Coordinates 36.960667 -122.000517

Murph Bar is a surf spot located in Bay Area, California. The spot is situated near Santa Cruz Harbor along Twin Lakes Beach. The surf spot provides both left and right waves. Murph Bar is known for its sand bottom and is best surfed during low and medium tides. It’s a very consistent spot with wave lengths less than 50m. The area can get crowded, especially on weekends. Nearby spots include Blacks, Sunny Cove, Santa Maria, 26th Ave, and Cowells cove. Murph Bar is considered a regional classic in terms of wave quality. Surfers should be aware of potential hazards such as rips, undertow, man-made dangers like buoys, and pollution. The spot can be challenging when conditions are right, producing hollow, fast waves. It’s important to check your skills before paddling out to make sure the spot and conditions fit your surfing level. When the spot is crowded, it’s crucial to respect the locals and follow proper surf etiquette. Access to Murph Bar is via Highway 1, taking the Soquel exit and following 7th Street to Eastcliff. The break is located to the left of the harbor jetty, with parking available along Twin Lakes Beach. While often suitable for tourists and beachgoers interested in boogie boarding or wading, Murph Bar can occasionally produce world-class waves under the right conditions. The spot is known to attract professional surfers when it’s firing. Surfers should note that dredging activities at the harbor mouth can affect wave conditions, sometimes creating an impressive hollow beachbreak. For those interested in a meal before or after surfing, there are dining options available near the harbor. Remember to check the latest surf forecast and report before your visit to Murph Bar. A surf map or webcam, if available, can provide additional information about current conditions at this Bay Area surf spot. Check out the good surf at Murph Bar in the next 7 days, the webcams, the full forecast report, or see the spot on the surf map.

Best tide at Murph Bar

Low, Medium

Check the full tide table

Tides have a significant impact on wave quality at certain surf spots like Murph Bar, causing conditions to vary throughout the tidal cycle. As the tide moves between high and low, the water depth over the seabed changes, affecting how the waves break. At these spots, high tide usually produce softer, slower waves, while low tide can generate faster, steeper waves. Some spots have specific tide stages when they work best, offering optimal conditions only at certain times of the day.

Near spots

There are 49 surf spots within a range of 100 km from Murph Bar. Use this section to find alternative spots that may be less crowded, better suited for your surfing skills, or offer a better forecast report for the next 7 days. Each spot includes detailed surf reports, forecast updates, and webcam views to help you plan. Whether you're seeking less crowded alternatives or simply exploring a region, the list of nearby surf spots is an essential tool.

See all 49 surf spots