
Santa Cruz has a great sandy, public beach, with a boardwalk, concerts, pier. Lots of sandy beaches, but the Santa Cruz beach is almost the only one for swimming because the water can get warmer in the bay. How close is UCSC to the beach?
Where are the hidden beaches in Santa Cruz?
Secluded Beaches In Santa Cruz – Hidden Spots To Relax
- Waddell Beach. A beautiful quiet spot to take a walk or just relax on the sand! ...
- Shark Fin Cove. As one of the most photographed beaches in Santa Cruz, Shark Fin Cove is recognizable for a rock that sits in the middle of the water and ...
- Bonny Doon Beach. ...
- Panther Beach. ...
- Seabright Beach. ...
- Twin Lakes Beach. ...
- Pleasure Point. ...
- Sunset State Beach. ...
Which beaches in Santa Cruz allow bonfires?
- Point Mugu State Beach, Malibu. Though bonfires are off-limits on the beach, you can reserve a campsite with a pit in the canyon across the road.
- Leo Carrillo State Park, Huntington Beach.
- Dockweiler Beach, Playa del Rey.
- Huntington City Beach, Huntington Beach.
- Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro.
What is the closest beach to Santa Cruz?
Map showing 50 miles radius from Santa Cruz - Minimum Population of 250 People
- Places up to 25 miles from Santa Cruz California
- Towns between 25 - 75 miles from Santa Cruz California
- Towns and places that are over 75 miles from Santa Cruz California
What are the best beaches in California?
Best Beaches in California, US. One of the best beaches in the entire Golden State, Natural Bridges State Beach is named for its beautiful rock arch that is impressive to behold. There is a remarkably intact and wild look around the place. Located in a beautiful state park on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, the beach has plenty of wildlife on display.

Are there beaches in Santa Cruz?
If you're looking for a convenient beach to visit that's right next to some of the most popular attractions in Santa Cruz, look no further than Santa Cruz Main Beach. Santa Cruz Main Beach is located right next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and only a short drive from West Cliff and downtown Santa Cruz.
Is Santa Cruz a beach or an ocean?
Santa Cruz Beach is a locals beach in the Ocean Beach area of San Diego. It is located at the west end of Santa Cruz Avenue where a long stairway descends the bluff.
How many beaches does Santa Cruz have?
34 beachesSanta Cruz has some of the best beaches in the golden state. With so many to choose from (see all 34 beaches), it can be overwhelming. Knowing what activities, sports, and amenities that beaches have really helps. Each beach is different and rules vary too.
What beach should I go to in Santa Cruz?
17 Best Santa Cruz Beaches for 2022Mitchell's Cove Beach.Capitola Beach.Bonny Doon Beach.Harbor Beach.Seacliff State Beach.Seabright State Beach.Waddell Beach.Natural Bridges State Beach.More items...•
Can you swim in Santa Cruz Beach?
The most popular open water swimming beach in Santa Cruz is Cowell Beach, located on the west side of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. This small cove is generally protected from the wind by tall cliffs and the setting is idyllic.
Does Santa Cruz have a nice beach?
This quintessential California beach town is a mecca for surfers and sun-worshippers, but also has something for everyone. Families love visiting the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, while nature lovers appreciate the area's many unspoiled beaches.
How far is Santa Cruz from the ocean?
Yes, the driving distance between 17-Mile Drive to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is 49 miles. It takes approximately 58 min to drive from 17-Mile Drive to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Where can I stay near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk? There are 128+ hotels available in Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
What is Santa Cruz known for?
While Santa Cruz is widely known for its spectacular beaches, nice weather, surf culture, and vibrant arts and culture community, the city is also known for many other things. Visitors can participate in an abundance of outdoor activities, including bird-watching, biking, hiking, and rock climbing.
What is the best beach in California?
Best California BeachesLaguna Beach.La Jolla.Malibu.Pfeiffer Beach.Half Moon Bay.Hermosa Beach.Pismo Beach.Monterey.More items...
Are Santa Cruz beaches crowded?
But with 29 miles of beaches along Santa Cruz County's sun-kissed stretch of coastal bliss, you can still find quiet, mostly desolate beaches where birds often outnumber the people. You just have a travel a little further south or north along the coast.
Why is it called Blacks beach Santa Cruz?
At the end of 14th Avenue and next to Black Point, this south end of Twin Lakes State Beach is sometimes referred to as the "14th Avenue Beach" and sometimes as "Black Point Beach." The point of land in the area was seen by sailors as being darker than the surrounding areas and got the name Black Point.
Where can you swim in Santa Cruz?
Top 10 Best swimming lakes in Santa Cruz, CALoch Lomond Recreational Area. 9.4 mi. 82 reviews. ... Uvas Canyon County Park. 14.9 mi. ... Lexington Reservoir County Park. 14.7 mi. ... Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. 4.8 mi. ... Almaden Lake Park. 20.1 mi. ... Morgan Hill RV Resort. 20.6 mi. ... Rio Del Mar State Beach. 7.3 mi. ... Pinto Lake RV Park. 14.6 mi.More items...
What is the street name of Santa Cruz?
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.
What is the lighthouse beach?
Why We Recommend This Beach. Teeming with hiking trails, butterflies, sea lions, and migratory birds, Lighthouse Beach is as unspoiled as you can get. This beach is especially known to be the home of California’s Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, which is housed in the titular lighthouse.
How long is Waddell Beach?
The 1.5-mile stretch of Waddell Beach is a piece of heaven. Luckily, despite its mountain scenery and lush greenery, Waddell Beach never gets crowded. So take advantage of this and explore the trails, ride the waves, cast a line, and spot the animal residents in the area.
When will Santa Cruz open in 2021?
April 6, 2021. If you’ve set your eyes on Santa Cruz for your upcoming getaway and wonder whether both the city and county have amazing beaches, you’ve come to the right place. Santa Cruz may not offer you palms and cottages, but it does feature dramatic rock formations, secret tide pools, boardwalks, cliffs, golden sand, rich wildlife, ...
Is Seabright Beach a good beach to swim in Santa Cruz?
Seabright Beach’s incredibly soft white sand, grass-covered dunes, and excellent views attract throngs of guests on weekends and in the summer. Its mild, calm waves also make it the best beach for swimming in Santa Cruz.
Is there a butterfly preserve in Santa Cruz?
But there aren’t a lot of Santa Cruz beaches with a monarch butterfly preserve, lagoons, flowering grasslands, and colorful low-tide surprises. Natural Bridges State Beach has all of that and so much more.
Where is Natural Bridges State Beach?
Santa Cruz, CA 95060. (831) 423-4609. Natural Bridges State Beach got its name from the iconic natural arch in the huge rock located in its shore break.
Where is Greyhound Rock Beach in Santa Cruz?
Named for the mudstone sea cliffs, Greyhound Rock Beach is located about seven miles north of Davenport and is adjacent to Waddell Beach. With spectacular views of the crashing waves on the cliffs, this beach is perfect for watching the sunset and enjoying the coastal beauty of the Santa Cruz area.
Where is Waddell Beach in Santa Cruz?
Part of Big Basin Park, Waddell Beach is located about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz and runs about ½ mile long before it turns into Greyhound Rock Beach. At low tide, there are some great tide pools, and the beach is known as THE best spot for windsurfing in the Santa Cruz area.
What is the difference between Main Beach and Cowell's Beach?
Main/Cowell’s Beach. Main Beach is the beach in front of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk . Cowell’s Beach is Main Beach’s neighbor to the north , just on the opposite side of the wharf. Main Beach is home to beach volleyball, Friday night concerts, and throngs of tourists, while Cowell’s is known as a top spot for beginner surfers.
How big is Hidden Beach?
Hidden Beach. The Beach is part of a 1.5 acre neighborhood park, which includes a playground and grassy picnic area. The beach is a great place for building sandcastles, flying kites, and having picnics.
What is Manresa State Beach?
Manresa State Beach is a beautiful expanse of coastline that is great for walking, running, surfing, fishing, and general recreation. The bluffs above the beach where the campgrounds are located provide dramatic views for miles in either direction.
Where is Black's Beach in Twin Lakes?
14th Ave./Black’s Beach. At the end of 14 th Avenue is Black’s Beach, given its name from the Blackpoint rock formation. Technically the beach is part of Twin Lakes Beach, but only at low tide, when you can walk from the harbor to the point.
Where is Twin Lakes Beach?
Twin Lakes Beach. Sunset views, bonfires, and classic summer fun dominate this beach just south of the Santa Cruz Harbor. With a mile of sandy shoreline, the beach is popular with swimmers. The beach’s adjacent Schawan’s Lake (the only remaining of the “twin” lagoons) is also a perfect location for bird watching and hiking.
