Lighthouse Field State Beach and Santa Cruz Surfing Museum [CA]
Also known as Point Santa Cruz, this beach forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay. It is one of the last open headlands in any California urban area. Housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum traces over 100 years of surfing history as it relates to Santa Cruz. Visitors to the museum can enjoy a spectacular view of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay while overlooking Steamer Lane, an internationally known surfing site. Museum displays include surf boards ranging from redwood "planks" to modern high-tech designs, early wetsuits, photographs showing Santa Cruz surfers and wave riding from the 1930s through today, and continuous videos illustrating surfing's ever-changing styles.
The museum offers exhibits and occasional recreational and educational events.