Information about California state beaches located
within Santa Cruz County.
North
Wilder Ranch State Park
The most northern of the coastal state parks in Santa Cruz County
is not a beach park, but we are including it in this article
because it is a state park that is situated directly on the
coast of Santa Cruz County. The park is about 7000 acres in size
its attractions include historic buildings, a visitors center,
and more than 34 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.
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Wilder Ranch State Park - Official Web Site
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Wilder Ranch State Park - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
Natural Bridges State Beach
Located at 2531 West Cliff Drive in the city of Santa Cruz.
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Natural Bridges State Beach - Official Web Site
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Natural Bridges State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Located south of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk off West Cliff Drive.
Home of the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum,
the Tomb of the Unknown Surfer, and the
famous Steamer Lane Surf Break.
- Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
- Steamer Lane Surf Break
- Tomb of the Unknown Surfer
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Lighthouse Field State Beach - Official Web Site
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Lighthouse Field State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
(Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach)
(San Lorenzo River Mouth)
Seabright State Beach
Dog friendly beach that stretches between the mouth of the
San Lorenzo River and the ocean access of the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor.
Located off East Cliff Drive.
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Seabright State Beach - Official Web Site
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Seabright State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
(not listed on the California State Parks Web Site)
Twin Lakes State Beach
East of the ocean entrance to Santa Cruz Harbor
and adjacent to the Schwan Lagoon.
Located off East Cliff Drive at Ninth Avenue.
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Twin Lakes State Beach - Official Web Site
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Twin Lakes State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
New Brighton Beach State Park
Has picnic areas and a camping area on a bluff overlooking the bay.
Home of the seasonal Pacific Migrations Visitor Center.
Has seasonal evening campfire programs.
Located at 1500 Park Avenue in Capitola.
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New Brighton State Beach - Official Web Site
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New Brighton State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
Seacliff State Beach
Located at ?
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Seacliff State Beach - Official Web Site
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Seacliff State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
Rio del Mar State Beach
Located at ?
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Rio del Mar State Beach - Official Web Site
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Rio del Mar State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
Manresa State Beach
Located at ?
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Manresa State Beach - Official Web Site
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Manresa State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
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Manresa Uplands State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
Sunset State Beach
Located at ?
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Sunset State Beach - Official Web Site
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Sunset State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
Palm State Beach
The southern-most state beach in Santa Cruz County
is a day-use beach park with picnic tables, barbecues,
restrooms, and outdoor showers. Popular activities include
fishing, swimming, walking on the beach, and
on-leash only dog walking. Palm State Beach is located just
north of Santa Cruz County's border with Monterey County.
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Palm State Beach - Santa Cruz County Friends Article
(not listed on the California State Parks Web Site)
North
Other State Parks in SC County
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Butano State Park (where?
- Castle Rock State Park
- CFastro Adobe State Historic Park
- Coast Dairies State Park (same as wilder ranch?)
- Fall Creek State Park
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Portola Redwoods State Park (where?)
- Rancho Del Oso Unit
- Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
- Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Just North of Santa Cruz County in San Mateo County
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Ano Nuevo State Park
- Ano Nuevo State Park
- Bean Hollow State Beach
- Halfmoon Bay State Beach
- Montara State Beach
- Pebble State Beach
- Pescadero State Beach
- Pomponio State Beach
- San Gregorio State Beach
Visitor Attractions in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County Travel Guide
Central Coast of California
Northern California Travel Guide