Four Mile is a high-quality right point and reef sitting four miles north of the Santa Cruz city limit. It breaks over an inside rock ledge, running fast and hollow, and on the right day it turns into a genuinely great wave. The bottom is semi-gnarly rock, so treat the takeoff and inside with respect.
When It Works
This is a winter wave, breaking reliably from November through February, and it stays consistent through the season. It draws swell from south through north (S-N), with west (W) swell the best match for lining up those long, fast rights. The break works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, covering everything from waist-high fun up to well overhead. The catch is that it blows out easily, so timing the wind matters as much as timing the swell.
Wind and Tide
Offshore here is northeast (NE), and the workable wind window runs through the northwest, north, and northeast quadrant. Because it cleans up on northwest wind, it becomes a popular option on days when other spots are getting torn apart. It can work across low, mid, and high tide, but a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
Four Mile suits intermediate surfers who are comfortable on a shortboard or funboard. Expect a busy lineup when there is swell, though the atmosphere in the water tends to be friendly. If there is any size running, you will see cars parked up and surfers on the high ground trying to get a look at the beach.
Access
You reach the break on foot from a free dirt lot on the ocean side of the highway, then walk about a half-mile down to the beach; roadside parking is also an option. The lot is a known target for thieves, so do not leave anything valuable in your car.
