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Mar 19, 2024 · TL;DR: The best beaches in Santa Cruz are Natural Bridges State Beach, Seabright Beach, and Twin Lakes State Beach: Twin Lakes State Beach is a local favorite that has free parking, showers, and beautiful sunset views over the harbor.
May 22, 2022 · THE 10 BEST Santa Cruz Beaches. 1. Natural Bridges State Beach. Beautiful beach quite a bit of parking in the area the big natural arch in a rock and tide pools. 2. Pleasure Point Beach. Very small parking lot but there is parking in the downtown area up the street which is maybe a half mile walk to... 3.
- Main Beach. When it comes to fun in the sun, the Main Beach (Boardwalk Beach) of Santa Cruz is a top destination in Central California. This happening spot has many tourist attractions and could easily be mistaken for a SoCal beach, because the waters are noticeably warmer and because of its lively beach culture.
- Capitola Beach. With its colorful houses and picturesque harbor, Capitola exudes the charm of a Mediterranean fishing village. Overlooking the wharf are streets lined with boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.
- Manresa State Beach. Manresa State Beach is tucked away behind protected parklands and ocean bluffs, with views of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the north and wooded rolling hills to the south.
- Four Mile Beach. This rugged and unspoiled beach is found within the Wilder Ranch State Park, a nature preserve and recreation area that was originally the pasturelands of a Victorian-era dairy ranch.
From surfing to sunbathing, Santa Cruz beaches have something for everyone. Find the best Santa Cruz beaches in our beach guide, complete with a beach map.
- Emily Appelbaum
- Santa Cruz Main Beach. Beach Street. Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5413. (831) 420-5715. Sometimes known as Boardwalk Beach for its iconic boardwalk that spans the stretch of its waterfront, Santa Cruz Main Beach offers a lot of the best things to do in Santa Cruz.
- Mitchell’s Cove Beach. W Cliff Drive. Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Mitchell’s Cove Beach is nestled beneath the bluffs at West Cliff Drive. Why We Recommend This Beach.
- Capitola Beach. San Jose Ave and Esplanade. Capitola, CA 95010. Capitola Beach sits at the north end of Monterey Bay along the famously colorful Esplanade.
- Bonny Doon Beach. Cabrillo Highway and Bonny Doon Road. Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Bordered by seaside cliffs and majestic rock formations, Bonny Doon sits in a natural cove that gives nude sunbathers their privacy.
Jun 26, 2019 · 01 of 07. Main Beach and Cowell Beach. Michael Koukoullis/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0. Readers' Favorite Santa Cruz Beaches. 20,000 of our readers voted in a poll to find out their favorite Santa Cruz County beaches. 32% like Bonny Doon. Capitola and Seacliff tied for second place with 15% each.
Aug 11, 2021 · 1. Santa Cruz Main Beach. Source: Frank Fell Media / shutterstock. Santa Cruz Main Beach. With its world-class surfing, stunning scenery and nearby amenities, Main Beach is a popular attraction for Californians and those who wish they were. People watchers won’t be disappointed either; the area draws a diverse and eccentric crowd.
