Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz, California

Two more spots surfed in the early '70's are "Little Wind & Sea" and "26th avenue". Both are just north of "Sewers" and "First Peak" at 26th Avenue.

Pleasure Point is on the northern Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County, California, [4] is a world renowned surf location. Traditionally defined as the area along the coast from 41st Ave to Moran Lagoon, up 30th Ave to Portola and over to 41st Ave down to the sea at the "Hook". It is a prime example of surf culture.

From the time of the Costanoan through the Spanish missions in California, into the time of the Californios and the breakup of the Ranchos to the development of the Coastal cottages and businesses, the “Point” has had a rich and interesting past. In the more modern times of Prohibition[5], with the speakeasies that gave the area the name Pleasure Point and through the development of the surf culture, this area has been a place of distinction along the California coast.

The new Century has ushered in a new phase of development in which the beach cottages are being replaced by large houses, and the surfers being replaced by new residents and vacation rentals.

Contents

Early history

The Ohlone[6] were the early settlers of the Central Coast, prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in 1769. The Spanish sent Missionaries[7] to introduce indigenous people to Christianity. The missionaries held onto their land and power for twelve years after the independence of Mexico from Spain in 1821.[8] The Mexican government seized the Mission lands and distributed it to a few powerful families, among them the Rodriguezes and the Arandas.

Mexican land grants

Rancho Arroyo del Rodeo was granted by Gov. Figuero[1] to Francisco Rodriguez. This area was used for cattle round ups by the Rodriguez and Castro families, in a natural amphitheater where the freeway crosses Rodeo Gulch.[9] Also known as "Los Coyotes", a one-quarter square league from Rodeo Gulch to Soquel Creek, from the sea up. Rancho Encinalitos (little live oak ranch), owned by Alejandro Rodriguez, ran from Corcoran West and included the lands to Woods Lagoon.

Daubenbiss and Hames

The conclusion of the Mexican American War in 1850 resulted in more immigration.[10] Americans and Europeans joined with the Mexican Rancho families or through purchase gained land in the area. In 1845 John Daubenbiss and John Hames bought 1,100 acres (4 km2) from Alexander Rodriguez.[2] The Daubenbiss house is on the rise coming out of Soquel Village. The 1855 grant was confirmed by the land commission. Originally surveyed as 2,353 acres (10 km2) in 1858, it was resurveyed in 1861 as 1,473.04 acres (5.9612 km2). In 1869, after a second notice they appealed yet were held to the smaller size because they didn't object in time. H. and E. Pagels patented part of the lands in 1868. Hames and Daubenbiss patented this Rancho in 1882.[11]

Nineteenth century

1870 bought 237 Ac of land from Rodeo Gulch/ Corcoran Lagoon to 33rd Ave- Lynskey property. Both sides of Moran Lagoon. From the sea to the RR, including Soquel/ Pleasure Point. Barn on 26th, now in Advent / Pleasure Point Church. Ship, Helen Merrian Cap. Nelson, with cargo of telegraph poles wrecks off ranch. 1896- son Patrick, 17, died of typhoid. 1897 Divorced due to drinking. Son, Martin, drowned off Blacks Point in Jan 1901. Victorian house on beach. Burned March 1901. 1906-Son, Edward died from mistakenly drinking acid, at his grandfather’s ranch in Watsonville. Died in 1904.

Twentieth century

Children went to Santa Cruz high on the Capitola Street car. They planted the Eucalyptus windbreak that still shelters the area now. They also provided over wintering for the Monarch Butterfly. The house burned on 12.14, 1915.

LOTS $5 down, $5 mo. 75–90 ft. Free water to lot, golden Waukesha mineral water. Free beach, 2,000 ft (610 m). long. Free camping.

1929 70 ac Moran Lagoon to 38th 1948 Beltz Haven 38th-34th 1936 permission to develop water system around Breakers Beach 1938 seeks to lay water mains in Live Oak 1938 sued by Breakers for poor water.

At this time rumrunners dropped off on the beaches.[20]

Rumor is that the Pleasure Point roadhouse 2-3905 E-Cliff was used in these endeavors.[3]

As the contests between the surfers from Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point increased, the Pleasure Point Surfing Association reinvigorated the PPNF in the 1960s with the inspiration from Jim Phillip's [23], renowned surf art-skate artist under Harry Contie. [24]

21st century

[37],[38] see ipetitions.com/petition/saveroadhouse/signatures

[40]

Surfing

The beach at O'Neill's has long been used for Surf access and gathering. Directly in front of O'Neill's house is the surf break called "O'Neill's" or "The Dirt Farm". Other famous surf spots on the Soquel Point from W to E, include Sewer Peak, First Peak, Second Peak, "once in a whiles", 38th Avenue, The Drain Pipe,The Hook, Shark's Cove, Privates and Trees. Pleasure Point has been the home and training grounds for many of the World's great American surfers, including Peter Mel[41], Jay Moriarty[42], Adam Repogle, Chris Gallagher, Kieran Horn, Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, Marcel Soros, Flea Virostko, Kevin Reed, Richard Schmidt, Tanner Beckett, Christiaan Bailey, CJ Nelson and Homer Hernard. The early big wave rider Fred Van Dyke [43] and the inventor of the wetsuit, Jack O'Neill, are historic figures associated with this area.

External links

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ John Daubenbiss
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ [3]