North coast beaches face the open ocean and are often windy with strong ocean currents.
Big Creek Beach AKA Las Trancas
3564 Highway 1, Davenport
Best for: Surfing, tide pools, beach walks
Facilities: None
Access:
Parking: The bluff area is private property, park at Waddell and walk south
Dogs: No dogs
Davenport Beach @ Coast Dairies State Park
xxxx Highway 1, Davenport
Best for: A series of undeveloped "pocket" beaches, linked by the California Coastal Trail include Sharktooth, Bonny Doon, Yellow Bank, Laguna Creek and Panther.
Facilities:
Access: Easy path from parking lot
Parking: Lot
Dogs: No dogs
Waddell Creek State Beach
3600 Cabrillo/Highway 1 at Waddell Creek, Davenport
Best for: Wind and kite surfing, sunset views
Facilities: Restrooms
Access: Easy path from parking lot
Parking: Lot
Dogs: No dogs
Greyhound Rock County Beach, marine conservation area
1551 Cabrillo/Highway 1, North of Scott Creek (831) 454-7938
Best for: Low-tide beach walks all the way to Waddell Creek. High-tide can close off return access. Fishing, beach walks, tide pools, surfers can find left hand breaks.
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables
Access: Steep, paved trail to beach; view platform is disable accessible
Parking: Free, large lot
Dogs: On leash OK
Davenport Landing County Beach
446 Cabrillo/Highway 1, North of Davenport
Best for:
Facilities: Restrooms
Access: Disabled accessible ramp to beach
Parking: Shoulder parking
Dogs:
Shark Fin Cove
Highway 1
Bonny Doon State Beach
Highway 1 where Bonny Doon Rd ends
Best for:
Facilities: None
Access:
Parking: Limited parking, bus stop
Dogs:
Panther Beach (AKA Yellow Bank Beach)
Highway 1, 10 miles north of Santa Cruz (~1 mile South of Bonny Doon Road)
Best for: Sunbathing, scenery, shoreline walks, caves, exploring; low-tide access to Hole-in-The-Wall beach. Clothing optional. Picturesque, great sand. Swimming can be dangerous because of rip currents and sneaker waves.
Facilities: None
Access: Steep trail
Parking: Free
Dogs: No
Four Mile Beach @ Wilder Ranch State Park
3810 Coast Road, Santa Cruz
Best for: Hiking, bird watching, wetlands, mile-long stretch of white sand a popular destination for surfers.
Facilities: Restrooms
Access: Steep trail
Parking: Fee
Dogs: No
Three Mile Beach (Wilder)
Nature preserve, great hiking and wildlife watching.
Santa Cruz westside beaches
Natural Bridges Beach
2531 West Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz
Best for: Exploration, Monarch butterfly preserve (Oct-Jan), walk on the beach, explore the tide pools.
Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, Summer lifeguard
Access: Steep trail
Parking: For fee
Dogs: No
Mitchell’s Cove
West Cliff @ David
Best for: Exploration, walking, dog play
Facilities: Toilets, path
Access: Stairs
Parking: Free
Dogs: OK on leash; off leash before 10am and after 4pm
Its Beach (Dog Beach) Lighthouse State Beach
701 West Cliff
- Best for: Known for lots of loose dogs, local nudists, exploration, walking, bird watching, surfing
- Facilities: Surf museum, paths, benches, restrooms
- Access: Stairs, trail
- Parking: Free
- Dogs: OK on leash, off leash before 10am and after 4pm
Steamer Lane
West Cliff @ Pelton
- Best for: Watching surfers and the swell, not really a beach but a surf spot near Point Santa Cruz
- Facilities: Surf museum, paths, benches, restrooms
- Access: --
- Parking: Free
- Dogs: On leash
Cowell Beach (Cowell's)
Pacific Avenue @ Beach St
- Best for: Here's where to go if you want to learn to surf! (Check water quality before you swim), sunbathing, people watching
- Facilities: Wharf, summer lifeguard, restrooms, restaurants
- Access: Easy
- Parking: For fee parking lots
- Dogs: No dogs
Main Beach
399 Beach St
- Best for: Long, sandy beach at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk stretches from the wharf to the San Lorenzo river. Volleyball, Summer beach concerts, people watching, swimming
- Facilities: Restrooms, restaurants, summer lifeguard
- Access: Easy
- Parking: For fee parking lots
- Dogs: No dogs
Santa Cruz eastside beaches
Seabright Beach, part of Twin Lakes State Beach
- Best for: This half-mile long beach is located between the San Lorenzo River and the Santa Cruz Harbor.Surfing, sunbathing, swimming
- Facilities: Restrooms, summer lifeguard
- Access: --
- Parking: --
- Dogs: On leash
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach, part of Twin Lakes State Beach
East Cliff @ 5th Ave
- Best for: A great sandy beach when you're looking for lots to do.Beach volleyball, surf and SUP rentals, restaurants, sunbathing
- Facilities: Rentals, restaurants, summer lifeguard
- Access: Easy
- Parking: For fee parking lot, limited street parking
- Dogs: On leash
Twin Lakes State Beach
East Cliff @ 9th Ave
- Best for: Swimming, summer fun, sunset views, bonfires, bird watching at Schwan’s Lake.Swimming, summer fun, sunset views, bird watching at Schwan Lake, geocaching
- Facilities: Restrooms, summer lifeguard
- Access: Easy
- Parking: Park & walk
- Dogs: --
Coastal Stairways
East Cliff @ 12th Ave
East Cliff @ 13th Ave
14th Ave./Black’s Beach
East Cliff @ 14th Ave
- Best for: Wide, sandy beach, low tide access to Twin Lakes BeachSunbathing, picnics, swimming, walking
- Facilities: Restrooms, benches, summer lifeguard
- Access: Easy, stairways at 12th & 13th Ave
- Parking: Limited, park at Twin Lakes and walk
- Dogs: On leash
Sunny Cove Beach
East Cliff @ Sunny Cove Dr (16th Ave)
Best for: Follow a narrow path and steps to access a small and little known beach popular for body-boarding. Sunbathing, body boarding, swimming but watch for rip currents
Facilities: None
Access: Trail
Parking: Limited
Dogs: On leash
19th Avenue/Santa Maria Beach
Perfect for a long walk on the shoreline.
Coastal Stairways
East Cliff @ 20th Ave
East Cliff @ 21-23rd Ave
26th Ave Beach/Moran Lake County Park
East Cliff @ 26th Ave
- Best for: Beach offers protected coves and a sandy beachSunbathing, walks, surfing
- Facilities: None
- Access: Easy
- Parking: Limited, park at Moran Lake lot and walk
- Dogs: On leash
Pleasure Point Beach "The Hook"
Not really a beach, but a lookout to watch surfers and walk your dog. Small parking lot, restrooms.
Coastal Stairways
East Cliff @ 35th Ave
East Cliff @ 38th Ave
Privates Beach
Surfing, nudists, Frisbee, sun-bathing. Requires pass.
Mid-bay beaches
Capitola City Beach, Capitola village
- Best for: Go where the river meets the bay (check water quality before you swim).Sunbathing, board sports, swimming, walking, people watching, pier
- Facilities: Restrooms, benches, restaurants, shopping, museum
- Access: Easy
- Parking: Metered, for fee lots with summer shuttle
- Dogs: No dogs
New Brighton State Beach
McGregor and Park Ave, Aptos
- Best for: Camping, eucalyptus and pine tree groves, views and walking paths—this beach has it all.Camping, swimming, beach walks
- Facilities: Restrooms, campsites, Nature Center
- Access: Trails to beach
- Parking: Fee
- Dogs: OK on leash
Pot Belly Beach
Take a shoreline walk between New Brighton and Seacliff Beach lined with private beachfront homes.
Seacliff State Beach
State Park Drive, Aptos
- Best for: Walk on the pier, see the concrete ship, go fishing,Pier and cement boat, sunbathing, boogie boarding, swimming, walking, people watching
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic areas, paved walking path, Nature Center, summer lifeguard
- Access: Easy, except from upper parking level
- Parking: Fee, beach level and upper level parking with long stairs
- Dogs: OK on leash
Rio Del Mar State Beach
Go where Aptos Creek meets the bay (check water quality before you swim), Mid-point between Platform beach and New Brighten with a 3-mile paved path.
Rio del Mar at Beach Dr., Aptos
- Best for: Sunbathing, boogie boarding, swimming, walking
- Facilities: Restaurants, market nearby; restrooms, showers
- Access: Easy walk, wheelchair accessible
- Parking: Free but limited; fee at Platforms; free but very limited in front of homes
- Dogs: OK on leash
Hidden Beach & County Park
A bit hard to find (hidden) but worth the effort. On the way to the beach is a playground for the kids, benches, and a paved walking path to the beach.
End of Cliff Drive, Aptos
Best for: Sunbathing, boogie boarding, swimming, walking
Facilities: Playground, water fountain
Access: Paved path is steep just before sand; trail from Dolphin @ Sumner
Parking: Free but very limited
Dogs: OK on leash
Beer Can Beach
1094 Via Palo Alto, Seascape Aptos
Best for: This neighborhood beach is great for sunbathing and beach walks, boogie boarding, swimming, walking
Facilities: None
Access: Long stairway
Parking: Neighborhood, best not to bring a car
Dogs: OK on leash
SOUTH SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
La Selva Beach, aka Trestles
Known for rip currents, know how to swim safely, and good sun-bathing.
Manresa State Beach, San Andreas Road, La Selva Beach
Best for: Enjoy a beautiful expansive coastline, great for shoreline walking, running, surfing, fishing, and camping, summer fog. Check for rip currents before you swim.Sunbathing, boogie boarding, swimming, walking, can get windy
Facilities: Restrooms, showers, camping, picnic areas, summer lifeguard, fire pits
Access: Stairs and ramp
Parking: Fee
Dogs: OK on leash
Sunset State Beach/Palm Beach
San Andreas Road, Watsonville
- Best for: This state park is known for pine trees, sand dunes and ocean side picnics. Bordered by agriculture fields.Sunbathing, boogie boarding, swimming, walking, can get windy
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, camping, picnic areas, summer lifeguard, fire pits
- Access: Wheelchair accessible
- Parking: Fee
- Dogs: No dogs
North Monterey County beaches
Zmudowski State Beach
Struve Road at Gilberson Road, Moss Landing
- Best for: A long, sandy beach great for fishing, horseback riding, and birding.Fishing, birdwatching, beach walking, exploring dunes
- Facilities: Restrooms
- Access: Easy
- Parking: Free
- Dogs: No dogs
Moss Landing State Beach
Cabrillo Highway and Jetty Road, Moss Landing
- Best for: Enjoy windsurfing, kayaking, horseback riding, and surf fishing.Kayaking, fishing, surfing, SUP, horseback riding, hiking
- Facilities: Restrooms, boat launch, picnic tables
- Access: Easy
- Parking: Free
- Dogs: No dogs
Salinas River State Beach
National Wildlife Refuge.
- Best for: Sandy coastline between the Salinas River and Moss Landing, Salinas River Beach walks, horse riding, fishing
- Facilities: Restrooms
- Access: Sandy trails, entrances at Monterey Dunes, Potrero and Moss Landing
- Parking: Free
- Dogs: No dogs
Marina State Beach
1 Reservation Road, Marina
- Best for: Sandy beach that sits below the rugged dunes.Hang gliding, surfing, wildlife watching, picnics
- Facilities: Restrooms, showers, picnic tables, trails
- Access: 1/3 mile sandy trail
- Parking:
- Dogs: No dogs
Fort Ord Dunes State Beach
Beach Range Rd and 8th St, Marina
- Best for: Go here for a four mile stretch of sandy beach.Hiking, beach walks
- Facilities: Ocean overlook, bike paths, restrooms, picnic tables
- Access:
- Parking:
- Dogs: No dogs
Monterey peninsula beaches
Monterey State Beach
2600 Sand Dunes Dr, Monterey
- Best for: Monterey’s largest beach of soft sand is the perfect spot for family fun. Swimming can be dangerous due to rip currents.Beach walks, diving, surfing, tidepools, body boarding
- Facilities: Restrooms, bike paths
- Access: Easy
- Parking: Free
- Dogs: On leash OK south of the resort hotel
Del Monte City Beach
132 Tide Ave, Monterey
- Best for: Hidden behind a coastal housing communityBeach walks, surfing, sunbathing, picnics
- Facilities: Restrooms, picnic tables, benches, boardwalk paths
- Access: Boardwalk trail
- Parking: Free on street
- Dogs: On leash OK
San Carlos City Beach Park
Reeside and Cannery Row, Monterey
- Best for: Walking, diving, picnics
- Facilities: Picnic tables, restrooms, bike path, lawn
- Access:
- Parking: Metered street parking
- Dogs: No dogs
McAbee City Beach
600 Cannery Row, Monterey
- Best for: Located at the Cannery Row, not much sand but a good spot to enjoy the view.Kayaking, diving, scenery
- Facilities:
- Access:
- Parking: Metered street parking
- Dogs: No dogs
Lover’s Point Park Beach
Ocean View Blvd and 17th St, Pacific Grove
- Best for: Small recreation area and lovely spot at sunset.Walking, fishing, diving, swimming, surfing, windsurfing, volleyball
- Facilities: Seasonal lifeguard, restrooms, lawns, bike paths, volleyball courts, kids pool, picnic tables, benches
- Access: Easy
- Parking: Free
- Dogs: On leash OK
Asilomar State Beach
Sunset Dr and Pico Ave, Pacific Grove
- Best for: Enjoy beautiful nature walks, paths for persons with limited mobility.Hiking, walking, tide-pooling, bird watching, biking
- Facilities: Conference grounds
- Access: Trails
- Parking: Free
- Dogs: On leash OK
Spanish Bay Beach
1955 Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove
- Best for: Located at the south end of Asilmar beach, cold water and rip currentsSurfing, walking, sunbathing
- Facilities: None
- Access: Trails
- Parking: Free street parking
- Dogs: No dogs
Pebble Beach
This beach is famous for its incredible scenery, 17-mile drive, Lone Cypress, golf course, Stillwater Cove and diving.
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Carmel City Beach
Carmel River State Beach
Great beach for diving and kayaking. Rip currents make it unsafe for swimming.
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Monastery Beach
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Pt. Lobos
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Garrapata State Beach
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Andrew Molera State Beach
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Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
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