Lighthouse Field State Beach, also known as Point Santa Cruz, forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay. It is one of the last open headlands in any California urban area.
The Santa Cruz Wharf is a prominent and historic attraction located in Santa Cruz, California, offering a wide range of activities, dining, shopping, and beautiful coastal views. It is a vibrant and bustling destination that combines natural beauty, marine life, dining, and entertainment.
Natural Bridges State Beach is a 65-acre California state park in Santa Cruz, California. The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach.
Coast Dairies State Beaches is a series of beautiful and rugged beaches located on the North Coast of Santa Cruz County, California. The beaches are situated on the coast between Davenport and Bonny Doon, and offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding landscape.
The Spring Trail Trailhead is a popular starting point for hiking in the Pogonip Open Space Preserve, located in Santa Cruz, California. The trailhead is situated on Golf Club Drive, just off of Highway 9.
Pleasure Point County Park is a small park located in the Pleasure Point neighborhood of Santa Cruz County, California. The park is situated on East Cliff Drive and offers panoramic views of Monterey Bay and the surrounding coastline.
Walton Lighthouse is a sturdy 41 ½ feet tall lighthouse built in 2001 with donations including $60,000 from Charles Walton in the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor in Santa Cruz, California.
Panther Beach is hidden in the golden cliffs at a beach about ten miles north of Santa Cruz. The trail down is narrow and overgrown with purple thistle and yellow and white mustard flowers in the spring.
Rockview Drive County Park is a small park located in Santa Cruz County, California. The park is situated on Rockview Drive, off of East Cliff Drive in the Pleasure Point neighborhood of Santa Cruz. The park is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, and it offers a variety of recreational activities.
Stretching out for a half-mile, this sandy beach sits between the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Harbor. Although considered a smaller beach by some, Seabright is a well-known spot for sun worshippers, dog lovers, and those wanting a local favorite spot to catch the sunrise or sunset.
Fern Grotto Beach is definitely worth the hike from the Wilder Ranch State Park visitor center. The grotto is a shallow cave at the back of the beach with ferns draping down over the entrance.
Steamer Lane is a famous surfing location in Santa Cruz, California. It is just off a point on the side of cliffs in the West Cliff residential area near downtown Santa Cruz, providing easy access and a good vantage point for viewing. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is housed in a lighthouse there. "Steamer Lane" is the preferred form of the name used by the people surfing there.
Four miles north of town along Highway 1, at the northern edge of Wilder Ranch State Park, you’ll find a right point called Four Mile, a less-than-perfect wave that breaks upwards of 300 days a year.
Cowell Beach is a beach located in Santa Cruz, California featuring volleyball, swimming, surfing or strolling along the sandy beach. Lifeguards in summer. Portions available to rent for casual weddings.
Lighthouse Point Park is also known as Point Santa Cruz, this area forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay. It is one of the last open headlands in any California urban area. Surfers, tourists, birds - including the rare Black Swift and wintering Monarch butterflies are drawn to this area. Sea lions populate the offshore rocks.
Strawberry Beach is a remote sandy beach in Wilder Ranch State Park north of Santa Cruz, CA. It’s probably the least visited beach in the park and is a great reward for hikers willing to seek it out.