Find a beach in Santa Cruz
Capitola Beach ...Lighthouse Field Beach... New Brighton Beach
Seabright Beach...Twin Lakes Beach
Lighthouse Field Beach
(photo below)
Also called Point Santa Cruz. A northern boundary of Monterey Bay. A famous surfing
region, and home to California's first surfing museum. It overlooks the
internationally renowned surfing hot spot know as "Steamers Lane".
The beach is on West Cliff Drive in downtown Santa Cruz.
A rare headlands where Sea Lions populate the
offshore rocks. A splendid place to
watch the surfers and sea life!
Seabright Beach
(photo below)
Seabright Beach (at the foot of Seabright Avenue) is Part of 'Twin Lakes State Beach'.
A popular locals beach (not easily found by tourists). Located between the
San Lorenzo River mouth and the entrance to the Santa Cruz Harbor.
A long sandy beach, good for body surfing, swimming and
skim boarding. Volleyball, evening bonfires and
drum circles are favorite locals pastime.
It is a top rated a five star beach.
____________________
Capitola Beach ~ Capitola Village
(Santa Cruz County)
Located in the quaint Village of Capitola. California's oldest seaside resort
is a charming coastal town. The beach is enclosed between two bluffs,
on one side is the older ocean side village section and reminds
visitors of a Mediterranean resort town. Capitola Beach
is bordered along the famous Esplanade, lined
with shops, restaurants & galleries. It
it is a people watchers paradise
and bustling activity and
entertainment during
summer months.
Recommended lodging
Capitola Suites
A wonderful little four unit historic building in the heart of the village.
These European style luxury apartments are fully furnished,
completely equipped (even linen), and meticulously
maintained. Walk Everywhere an auto is
not needed here. 1/2 block to
cafes', mkts, wharf and
Capitola Beach.
______________
New Brighton Beach ~ Capitola, California
(Santa Cruz County)
One of California most visited beaches. A large 92 acre park noted for spectacular
views of the Monterey Bay with towering bluffs high above the beach, with
Monterey Cypress, pine, oak & eucalyptus trees. Once the site of
a Chinese fishing village. The beach is the largest beach
in the town of Capitola, a town south of Santa Cruz.
Picnicking, hiking and biking trails. Note the
weather varies from cool misty morning
to hot summer afternoons.
Camping on New Brighton State Beach
Facilities are run by the California State Parks Assn.
Reservations are recommended from mid-March through October;
phone Ca state park at 1-831-464-6329 or 1-831-429-2850.
There are 112 sites for tents or RVs up to 31 feet long. Piped water,
fire grills/picnic tables are provided. Sanitary toilets,
coin-operated showers, propane gas, groceries, and
laundry facilities are available. Pets are
permitted in the campground but not
on the beach. Reservations,
fees: 444-PARK/7275.
Twin Lakes Beach
Has a mile of sandy shoreline, popular for swimming and picnicking. A state park beach,
Twin Lakes encompasses what locals call Seabright 'Castle' Beach; Harbor Beach;
and Schwan Lake Beach (all local names). The park’s adjacent Schwan's
lake is a good location for bird watching. The small craft
harbor in Santa Cruz is approximately in the middle
of Twin Lakes State Beach, which extends for
a distance parallel to East Cliff Dr.
Fishing, hiking trails, wildlife
tours and outdoor cafe's
on 'Harbor Beach'
_____________
SurfCityLive.com
See live surf cams of famous surf spots.
Find by Region..... Find Best Beaches