Beautiful Coastal House In One of Santa Cruz’s Best Surfing Spots

Located in a quaint neighborhood in one of Santa Cruz’s best surfing spots, this beautiful coastal house fits naturally within the landscape as well as the community built around it. It was designed and built by studio Feldman Architecture with great respect toward the surroundings and the context that the house is a part of.

The rear of the house extends onto a large wooden deck
The rear of the house extends onto a large wooden deck
The open deck transitions into a coastal-themed backyard with a fire pit sitting area
The open deck transitions into a coastal-themed backyard with a fire pit sitting area

As Jaimal Yogis observes in an article written for The Atlantic, surfing is more than just a sport. Sure, riding the waves is fun and exciting but for some, it has a deeper and more spiritual meaning. The connection to the water has a transformative effect and makes one feel unified with the earth and the universe. At the same time, it has a stimulating effect on the brain but in a relaxing and rejuvenating way which gives surfing a cathartic power. 

The ocean is just a few steps away from the beautifully-landscaped backyard
The ocean is just a few steps away from the beautifully-landscaped backyard

The Surf House capitalizes on all of this as well as on the magnificent views of the ocean which the site provides. Its design was carefully planned out to take advantage of the surroundings. The backyard and the deck are oriented towards the water while the front of the house welcomes the sunlight inside in the winter months. 

The house takes advantage of its location and features an outdoor kitchen and an open lounge area
The house takes advantage of its location and features an outdoor kitchen and an open lounge area
The kitchen is very welcoming and has a wooden island with a bar extension
The kitchen is very welcoming and has a wooden island with a bar extension

It was very important for the owners to have a house that was aware of its surroundings and that fits naturally within this beachy and eclectic community. The landscape artists at Ground Studio made sure to materialize these wishes into beautiful open spaces that take advantage of the climate and topography of the land. 

Full-height sliding glass doors seamlessly connect the ground floor areas to the backyard and the ocean
Full-height sliding glass doors seamlessly connect the ground floor areas to the backyard and the ocean
The floating staircase design allows the sunlight to filter through its suspended steps
The floating staircase design allows the sunlight to filter through its suspended steps
The dining area is at the center of the open plan social areas and gets to enjoy a panoramic view
The dining area is at the center of the open plan social areas and gets to enjoy a panoramic view
The upstairs area is the private half of the house and has an open balcony
The upstairs area is the private half of the house and has an open balcony
The bedroom capitalizes on the gorgeous views and lets the sunlight enter from all sides
The bedroom capitalizes on the gorgeous views and lets the sunlight enter from all sides
The bathroom has a strong coastal vibe thanks to the wooden walls, the windows and the views
The bathroom has a strong coastal vibe thanks to the wooden walls, the windows and the views
The large backyard deck includes an in-ground hot tub
The large backyard deck includes an in-ground hot tub

The materials and colors used throughout the house reflect the casual and bohemian nature of this area. The locally-sourced reclaimed wood cladding wraps the house in a beautiful shell that weathers over time and gains a grey patina. Inside, the wooden board and batten seamlessly transitions into plaster on the upper floor where the atmosphere is more bright and relaxed, in sync with the views. 

The outdoor shower is hidden around the corner, framed by lots of greenery
The outdoor shower is hidden around the corner, framed by lots of greenery
The house also has a custom surfboard storage area next to the garage
The house also has a custom surfboard storage area next to the garage