The National Weather Service says a northwesterly swell will bring hazardous conditions to Santa Cruz County beaches through Wednesday, with an increased risk for sneaker waves and rip currents through Monday evening,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife previously recommended that kayakers should keep at least 60 feet away from sea otters and avoid large kelp beds. Bentall also said Wednesday that if surfers come into close contact with an especially puckish otter, they should do what they can to discourage that behavior by swimming away, making noises or splashing lightly.

While surfing at Steamer Lane, a popular surf spot, 21-year-old Isabella Orduna felt a “nip” on her foot. She rolled into the water and reemerged to find the culprit—a cute but possessive sea otter—sitting on her surfboard.

How much is surfing worth to a community? In this case, it's not a metaphorical or emotional question. It’s financial. A newly released, first-of-its-kind study has a science-based deep dive into that query for Santa Cruz, California. The answer may ...

One of California’s most treasured pastimes isn’t just fun. It also generates big money for coastal communities.For Central California’s Santa Cruz, surfing the region’s waves can add up to nearly $200 million in economic impact each year ...

Hayden Mandell, 17, and Finley Dobkin, 16, longtime participants in the Santa Cruz City Junior Lifeguard Program and Westcliff Surf Lifesaving Club, have been named to the 16-member U.S. Lifesaving Association Youth National Team.