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California

Santa Cruz Creek

We don't cover this water yet

No agency boundary, access route or field report is mapped to it — so there is no verdict, and we won't guess. We'll tell you the moment this water has something to say.

Covered nearby

Waters within 25 miles where we do have a current picture.

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Why you'll love it

14.7 mi run

Seasonal — can run dry

53 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water: Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow: 53 cfs
Average current: 1.4 ft/s
Gradient: 93.7 ft/mi
Drainage area: 75 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Santa Cruz Creek

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Photos

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Permits & access

No permit or access details on file for this water — check with the local land manager before you go.

About this water

Santa Cruz Creek is a 15-mile paddling stretch near Santa Ynez, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 53 cfs and a gradient of about 93.7 feet per mile.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Photo: Unknown historical, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sisquoc River

~22 min drive

Sisquoc River is a 40-mile paddling stretch near New Cuyama, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 242 cfs and a gradient of about 98.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

San Miguel Island

~1h 25m drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Photo: Gordon F. Smith, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Santa Ynez River

~22 min drive

Santa Ynez River is a 74-mile paddling stretch near Santa Ynez, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 291 cfs and a gradient of about 32.8 feet per mile.

Photo: LorraineWalter, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Ventura River

~60 min drive

Ventura River is a 16-mile paddling stretch near Ventura, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 180 cfs and a gradient of about 56.8 feet per mile.

Photo: Blackmb, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sespe Creek

~1h 10m drive

Sespe Creek is a 60-mile paddling stretch near Ojai, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 233 cfs and a gradient of about 73.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Photo: NHRHS2010, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Santa Maria River

~1h 19m drive

Santa Maria River is a 16-mile paddling stretch near Santa Maria, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 99 cfs and a gradient of about 14.9 feet per mile.

Manzana Creek

~20 min drive

Manzana Creek is a 18-mile paddling stretch near New Cuyama, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 37 cfs and a gradient of about 159.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Mono Creek

~26 min drive

Mono Creek is a 26-mile paddling stretch near Maricopa, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 84 cfs and a gradient of about 101.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Cuyama River

~40 min drive

Cuyama River is a 103-mile paddling stretch near New Cuyama, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 234 cfs and a gradient of about 33.5 feet per mile.

La Brea Creek

~43 min drive

La Brea Creek is a 6.5-mile paddling stretch near Santa Maria, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 35 cfs and a gradient of about 47.9 feet per mile.

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