Best Time to Ride · Morro Bay vs Santa Cruz – Cowell's
Morro Bay vs Santa Cruz – Cowell's: which is better for surfing & SUP?
Morro Bay or Santa Cruz – Cowell's? Month by month: windy days, waves and water temperature side by side, from years of weather data.
Find the best time to goTap a spot to see when to go: wind, waves, water temperature, sun and rain in every month, from years of weather statistics.
Updated October 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Santa Cruz – Cowell's has bigger waves in 12 of 12 months.
- Morro Bay has warmer water in 9 of 12 months.
- Best months at Morro Bay: January–March, December.
- Best months at Santa Cruz – Cowell's: January–May, October–December.
- 205 km apart.
Morro BayCalifornia (San Luis Obispo County), United StatesWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND22.121.71.71.51.31.31.41.61.82
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND141413131314151617161515
Best time to go →
Santa Cruz – Cowell'sCalifornia, United StatesWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.42.62.4221.81.51.41.61.92.22.3
Water temperature per month (°C)
JFMAMJJASOND131313131314151616161414
Best time to go →Wave height: average daily maximum. Water: average sea surface temperature.