Launch from Mitchell's Cove in Santa Cruz?

I know there are a bunch of stairs at Mitchell's Cove, but assuming those can be negotiated, I have a couple of questions.

First, is it legal to launch a kayak there?

Second, would the surf tend to make launching/landing too "exciting"? In particular, for typical recent conditions (about 2-4 ft surf) would you consider it a fairly easy place to get in and out of?

Thanks.

Mitchells cove is a convent location to hit the Naty Bridges area and beyond.  Fishing is legal but stay on the outside edge of the kelp in order to not intrude on the “Shore Break MPA” that runs from Naty Bridge to Davenport.  Also beware that Mitchells cove can close out during a high tide leaving you no place to land.   

Yep, Mitchells is one of the only beaches in the city that you can legally launch from. There's some good fishing right around it, when it is on.

the “Shore Break MPA” that runs from Naty Bridge to Davenport.  Also beware that Mitchells cove can close out during a high tide leaving you no place to land.   

Yeah, I've seen Mitchell's look wicked on occasion. & just to clarify, the "ribbon MPA" runs from Natural Bridges to the north end of 4Mile beach. No shore fishing or intertidal harvesting allowed. The closure runs out to 200ft off the shore, but you are legally allowed to transit through the closed area with fish aboard, as long as no gear is deployed during the transit.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12797.msg120467#msg120467

doable.  difficult solo, but doable, espec if you are tall (I am not).  Once OTW, you'll be glad that you did.  But when on the stairs, you'll be cursing the choice LOL.

Also, i don't know if its this way lately but it used to be just littered with dog $hit, like every where you looked, one land mine after the next...

If you have a long yak, the stairs are a bitch as they are steep with lots of switchbacks.  I found it easier to put a rope down the iceplant and haul it up that way. 

  Watch out for the little 8" or so reflection wave off the sometimes submerged sometimes above water rock wall  to the far right of the beach. Very speedy.It runs perpendicular to the beach.  I think how it works is if you have only a foot of draft beneath you then the kayak doesn't ride over the wave but takes the whole several hundred pounds flat on. Almost got me a couple times. Maybe it's just because it's so fast.
 

It's a good spot to launch if you are not solo:  two people can tote a kayak pretty easily down the stairs. Just check the surf before committing. I would head elsewhere if a big swell was running, but launchable most days with decent surf skills. Parking is easy and free. Might save you a long paddle from the harbor if you want to fish the west side, or up the coast a bit from Natural Bridges. It's not a great spot for hanging out or chilling on the beach afterwards, because of tons of rotting kelp and a storm drain/sewer smell that usually exists there.

But, by all means, get your buddy or two and launch. Should be fine.

Thanks everybody for all of the info. I'll post again once I give it a go.