The Santa Cruz Lighthouse home of the famous Surfing Museum overlooks one of the most iconic surf breaks on the California coast: Steamer Lane. Every day, from dawn to sunset, surfers of all levels paddle out to ride its powerful, perfectly formed waves that crash against the cliffs below. The constant hum of the ocean mixes with the cheers of spectators who line the bluff to watch pros drop into steep sets and beginners learn the rhythm of the water. Just steps from the lighthouse stands the legendary surf statue, a tribute to the generations of surfers who shaped Santa Cruz into the Surf City it is today. With its bronze figure facing the horizon, board under arm, it captures the soul of the sport and the culture that thrives along this rugged, wave-rich shoreline.