mark abbot memorial lighthouse

This small museum is located at Steamer Lane, one of the premier surfing spots in Santa Cruz. The great photos, videos and artifacts are definitely worth seeing - this a great place to bring visitors.

The lighthouse is attached to a small building that houses the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.Lighthouse lovers: you can't walk up into the lighthouse itself. You can only photograph it from the exterior. It's a smaller lighthouse, but it's in a very prestigious place. Walk to the other side of the building to take in a fantastic ocean vista and watch surfers riding the waves of Steamer Lane--a famous surfing spot. The views here are worth the trip.The museum itself is very small. It's one room that is packed with memorabilia about surfing, spanning the history of the sport from the Hawaiian influence in the 1700s, up to the present day. The history is told mainly through old photographs and text. There are a few vintage surfboards and some photos of famous surfers, and a counter and cash register area that sells surfing post cards, candy, surfboard keychains, surfing DVDs, tee shirts and hats. Near the cash register is a door with an iron gate. You can peer through the gate to see a memorial to Mark Abbot, a 16-year-old boy who lost his life in a surfing accident. There is a pile of stones with a bronze statue on top--a favorite sculpture of Mark's. His ashes are interred beneath the stones. It's a sweet tribute to a young man who lost his life in a tragic way. The lighthouse and building are located on West Cliff Drive, about half way between the wharf and Natural Bridges State Park. We parked in Lighthouse State Field parking lot just across from the lighthouse. We had to wait about ten minutes for someone to leave in order to get a spot. There are some benches outside that take in the beautiful Pacific Ocean view.

It is not much to see or to do. Is just a place to get out from the car and relax your legs and take some pictures

Along West Cliff Drive, the scenery is amazing. This lighthouse along the way, is beautiful. Parking right in front, and beautiful coastal views. This lighthouse is home to a surfing museum, however there was a film crew the day we visited, so we were unable to go inside. From the outside though, there is much to explore, and historical information available. Beautiful place to visit and spend a few hours soaking in the coastal scenery and sunshine.

Short walk from Santa Cruz Beach and the wharf. Best place to watch local culture, very friendly people around sharing information about the city, surfers and history. All for free (voluntariness), but they accept tips ;) Great view, cant miss this place while visiting Santa Cruz.Did not visit a lighthouse itself, dont know if it is possible or if there is a fee.

On a nice sunny day, this is a lovely place to visit. Beautiful setting overlooking the water (of course). Very tranquil and peaceful and a great place to walk. Easy parking (and it's free).

This was not a 'real' lighthouse and was kind of boring to be truthful. However, it's right by the ocean where you can watch several kids surfing.

Loved the surf museum. Difficult parking. Great watching the surfing. Nice walking path and beaches that allow dogs.

Loved the lighthouse and watching the surfers!!! I could be here all day long!!! You can see the Walton Lighthouse too from here!!!

The views of the ocean from this place were OK. The museum inside the lighthouse itself is very small and disappointing. The lighthouse is also nothing major to crave about. Few positive points were that the views were OK, there wasn't much traffic and you could see surfers actually practicing their bit. We didn't spend more than 15 minutes at the place.

Jeeezzzz wish it was 38 years ago and all the hippies and surfers living on their buses and campers smoking joints and other things???? year round by the lighthouse... Now kinda tame and controlled Big Brother is Watching. :o(

This was a pleasant stop-over after a wonderful weekend at the Monarch Inn in Capitola. We enjoyed watching the surfers on a near perfect day. The walkway near the rugged coastline allows visitors to experience the ocean, the surfers and the sea lions. The only thing that bothered us was that the fenced off burial site of Mark Abbott was being used as a store room.

É um farol antigo que foi transformado em museu do surf. A vista do cais é boa pois é possivel ver toda a cidade.

Antigo farol que foi transformado em museu do Surf, nele você pode conhecer um pouco da historia do surf, com roupas e pranchas antigas.

Wenn man den Highway #1 fährt sollte auf jeden Fall ein Stopp am Memorial Lighthouse eingelegt werden. Neben den kleinen Museum gibt es einen herrlichen Ausblick auf den Pazifik und die Surfer!