FAQ

What exactly is being installed?

A bronze statue of a female surfer, approximately 16 feet tall — the same scale as the To Honor Surfing male statue on West Cliff Drive — along with three curved benches and native plantings. The ground surface will be decomposed granite. There is no pavement or hardscape involved. The installation occupies just 5% of the walkable footprint of the bluff. The existing palm trees remain in place, fully protected.

Where will the statue be located?

On a county-owned parcel along East Cliff Drive at Pleasure Point, adjacent to the stretch of bluff locals call the Dirt Farm, near the intersection with Manzanita Avenue. This parcel is public land managed by Santa Cruz County Parks.

Is the Dirt Farm being paved over?

No. The broader Dirt Farm remains privately owned by members of the O’Neill family and is not part of this project. The installation is on a separate, adjacent county-owned parcel. The surface material is decomposed granite — a natural, permeable material that is gentler on the ground than bare compacted dirt and significantly reduces erosion from foot traffic.

Who owns the land?

The parcel where the statue will stand is owned by Santa Cruz County and managed by Santa Cruz County Parks. The broader Dirt Farm is privately owned by the O’Neill family. The land for this installation was not donated — it is existing public parkland.

Has the cliff been evaluated for safety and stability?

Yes. The site was rigorously evaluated as part of the Discretionary Permit process by the county’s own geologist as well as Rock Solid Engineering, a respected local geotechnical firm. Cliff stability was a central part of the review. The project was approved with that analysis on the record. Additionally, the statue’s foundation pier will be drilled to bedrock — a structural reinforcement of the site, not a disruption of it.

Who is paying for this?

The project is 100% privately funded. No public money is being used. All donations are processed through County Park Friends, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which provides transparent accounting and reporting.

Who designed the statue?

The statue will be created by Brian W. Curtis and Thomas Marsh — the same artists who created the original To Honor Surfing statue on West Cliff Drive in 1992. The board is being shaped by legendary Santa Cruz shaper Bob Pearson of Pearson Arrow Surfboards. The project’s lead designer is Alison Hobbs, and the benches and concrete work are by Tom Ralston.

What does the statue look like? Who is she modeled after?

No final design exists yet. Like the male statue, she will not be modeled after any one person — she is an archetype representing all women who love the ocean. She will be her own unique figure with unique characteristics. The design scope is established: a bronze figure, similar in scale and spirit to the West Cliff statue, wearing a wetsuit as a nod to Jack O’Neill’s legacy. The details of her form, posture, and character are still being developed, with community input as part of that process.

What about the renderings and sketches that have been circulating?

Those images — rough pencil sketches and AI-generated visualizations — are early, informal explorations. They are not the statue. Please do not draw conclusions about the final design from those images. The statue has not yet been designed beyond its general scope.

Why this location? Were other sites considered?

Yes. Alternative site along East Cliff was evaluated and ruled out for some of the following reasons:

• The Hook at 41st Avenue — beautiful but too compact, and would require demolishing and reconstructing the existing finished park. The cypress trees there host large nesting birds whose droppings would foul a bronze monument.

• Pleasure Point Park — already complete and thoughtfully designed. The only available space would place the statue against a fence or directly in front of the public restrooms. Not right for honoring the women of Santa Cruz.

• The East Cliff alcove planters — ruled out by the county due to insufficient setback from the roadway, creating a pedestrian safety hazard.

The parcel next to the Dirt Farm was selected because it has space, clear sightlines, and the visual anchor of the existing palm trees. Public art belongs in the viewshed — visible, accessible, and seen.

It is also worth noting that this county-owned parcel is not currently ADA accessible. The uneven, unpaved surface makes it unusable for people with mobility challenges, strollers, or wheelchairs — meaning that right now, a portion of the public this land is meant to serve simply cannot use it. One of Santa Cruz County's guiding principles for its public parks is that they should be accessible to everyone. The decomposed granite surface, ADA-compliant pathways, and seating included in this installation directly advance that goal. This project doesn't just add a monument — it opens a public space to people who have never been able to fully enjoy it.

Will this create more traffic or parking problems?

No. East Cliff Drive already draws people every day — surfers, joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, families, swimmers, paddleboarders, kayakers, and vendors. The ocean itself is the draw. A statue does not create crowds; it gives people one more quiet reason to pause and take in the view. Because she will be visible from a distance as you approach along East Cliff Drive, cars are less likely to slow suddenly — similar to how drivers experience the male statue on West Cliff.

Will this attract disruptive gatherings or late-night activity?

Well-designed, purposeful public spaces tend to attract exactly the kind of use they were built for. Research and lived experience consistently show that thoughtfully designed spaces with a clear identity and community investment — benches, native plantings, a monument — draw families, visitors, and people who come for the right reasons. An undefined, unlit, unimproved patch of land is actually more prone to attracting disruptive use than a named, cared-for public space.

Will the installation harm the bluff or accelerate erosion?

The opposite, in fact and has been verified by the Geotechnical Engineering study. Bare compacted dirt on a coastal bluff is among the most erosion-prone surfaces possible. Decomposed granite is permeable and reduces surface runoff. Native plantings will introduce root systems that actively hold the soil. The statue’s foundation pier will be drilled to bedrock. This project improves the long-term stability of the site.

Why does she need to be so tall?

She is the same scale as the male statue on West Cliff — and that was a deliberate choice. She is not a lesser tribute or an afterthought. She is his equal. The height also places her above the immediate surroundings, visible from a distance, and gives her the same commanding presence her counterpart has held for over 30 years.

Next to the existing towering palm trees, she will already feel smaller than the other statue.

What was the approval process?

The project went through Santa Cruz County’s “Just In Time” public art program, designed to steward community-initiated, privately funded public art through the county process. The site underwent environmental and development review, geotechnical evaluation, and a public hearing before the Zoning Administrator, who approved the project in April 2026.

When will she be installed?

The target installation date is Summer to Early Fall 2027.

How can I support the project?

This project is 100% funded by community. Donations are tax deductible through County Park Friends 501c3.

How can I stay informed or get involved in the design process?

Sign up for project updates to be the first to hear about the community design engagement process. We hope you’ll join us.

How do I donate?

JOIN US!