Santa Cruz, CA –

Being a California born wheelchair traveler, even in the winter months it is necessary to take a trip to the ocean to get my saltwater fix. The California coastline comes to life in way never seen during the warmer season with enormous winter swells that draw surfers from miles around.

Monterey Bay offers many surfing spots along the jagged rocky shoreline, Santa Cruz being one of the most well known cities with numerous such spots. You can almost always spots s surfer or two at Steamer’s Lane, which is located right below the historic surfing museum on West Cliff Drive (Access Guide: Ocean Walkways), and during the winter months they cover this territory like ants (top 2 photos). Even right in front of the Santa Cruz Wharf and the Dream Inn at Cowell’s Beach, intermediate surfers ride the waves from sun up till darkness (bottom 2 photos).

If you follow the Pacific Coast Highway 1 north to San Francisco (below photos) there are tons of state beaches long the way, the majority having some wheelchair accessible feature to help you get closer to the ocean. It’s highly recommended that you take this journey, no matter what time of year; even if it’s for a couple of hours or a day trip while in the general area.