Natural Bridges State Beach
Natural Bridges State Beach
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
A refuge for wintering Monarch Butterflies, this park boasts a sandy cove, tidepools, a nature trail through the Butterfly Preserve, and several hiking trails. There is also a bicycle path around the perimeter of the park.
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- wireless_in_CAUnited States4,829 contributionsFamily BeachWe’ve visited this beach a couple times and come back for its natural arch but also the tide pools. Parking was available for a fee and city decided to close all the street parking nearby (an annoyance). It you are short on time or don’t want to pay for parking then stop by the overlook. The parking lot is free for 20 minutes. This was also a good starting point for the West Cliff scenic drive or walk.Visited April 2021Traveled with friendsWritten April 5, 2021
- B vSan Jose, California284 contributionsAwesome Natural BeautyNatural Bridges is a gem at the North end of Santa Cruz. Large beach with views of the namesake natural bridge rock structures, access to extensive tide pools to explore the local ocean life from urchins to star fish, anemones, and other coastal creatures. Check dates for the migrating Monarch Butterflies. At the right time of year and temps they are swarming all around with huge clusters hanging from the eucalyptus trees...it's magicalVisited February 2020Traveled with familyWritten February 18, 2020
- Fred LSan Jose, California1,515 contributionsThe bridge is the star - Small but nice beachThis was our first trip to Natural Bridges State Beach. It was a Saturday and we arrived ~1pm. The parking lot was full so we ended up parking on the street a couple of blocks away. We walked along the trail that runs along the cliff. It was crowded with pedestrians and bikes but the view was beautiful. The beach itself was small compared to other nearby beaches (like Seabright or Seacliff) and it was hard to find a spot with some space relatively close to the water. The natural bridge is the star of the show and It's definitely worth the trip to see it. I suspect that most weekends the beach will get crowded like we experienced. Our girls (6 & 8) enjoyed themselves but my preference is for a larger beach. I can see this as a great spot on less crowded days.Visited May 2021Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
855 reviews
Excellent
470
Very good
282
Average
93
Poor
9
Terrible
1
MichaelMc777
Sunnyvale, CA4,629 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
This state beach is popular with families.
It has an entry fee and a fair amount parking. There are picnic benches by the parking area and public bathrooms with showers.
The beach is like a small bay and the beach is basically enclosed.
There is often no life guard and there is sometimes a rip tied!!!
There is also a visitors center and butterflies migrate to a small section of the forest during certain winter months.
There are some areas to explore north of the beach with small tide pools.
It has an entry fee and a fair amount parking. There are picnic benches by the parking area and public bathrooms with showers.
The beach is like a small bay and the beach is basically enclosed.
There is often no life guard and there is sometimes a rip tied!!!
There is also a visitors center and butterflies migrate to a small section of the forest during certain winter months.
There are some areas to explore north of the beach with small tide pools.
Written March 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glennmartinwc
San Francisco, CA33 contributions
Jul 2023
We just strolled here from our hotel to check out the arch, but found this to be a hidden gem! A short walk through the lushly forested area brings you to a small beach strewn with driftwood. This is certainly the place to come if you want a day at the beach and don't need the boardwalk. There is a Visitors' Center, and several trails that delve deeper into the wooded areas. Don't miss this if you're in the area!
Written July 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LegoAthos
Nevada City, CA113 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We missed butterfly season, but there were still 2-3 fluttering around. The trail through the preserve was still nice and a fairly easy walk. It was nice to walk through the forest and come at the beach from the other side. OK tidepools, even with the tide being high (we didn't time this trip right at all). The bridge/arch was pretty cool and the beach was clean and wasn't super crowded.
Written April 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jet151427
12 contributions
Dec 2022
Natural Bridges State Beach has a Monarch Sanctuary. We visited when the Monarch butterflies were there. We parked in the 20 min. free lot. Walked to the sanctuary and were out in half an hour. All along the path to the butterfly sanctuary there are signs to be quiet, so as not to disturb the butterflies. If being quiet is a problem, you shouldn't go.
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LucyPie
Sarasota, FL199 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
We had a gorgeous blue sky, warm day with an easy breeze. Planned our trip around low tide so we could enjoy the tide pools. The park ranger who was working took a group of us on a free tour to the tide pools and provided us with excellent information and insight. She was extraordinary too in reaching out to a family who had not been on our tour and who were picking up animals from the tide pools (a no-no,) and otherwise disturbing the natural order of life there. She very kindly got down low to talk to the kids, educated them about the things they had picked up, never scolded, just involved them. It was very well handled. The ranger was great. Well worth starting a visit at the Visitors Center.
Written July 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anADDOCDmama
43 contributions
Nov 2011
Every year the make their way through Santa Cruz and now with kids under 3 their excitment for the gorgeous butterflies and natural bridges monarch festival is always amazing. From the music, to the crafts, the kids costumes, the gardens, to the pods of butterflies, to the face painting and the 6 stations of kid crafts is a blast... a little overwhelming at times, with impatient parents and kids seem to cut in line but always have to check that it's for fun... parents and grandparents just don't seem to care like they used to... def. will go again next year! Plus the tide pools and beach is right there. Too bad the bridges is barely existing and the beech seems to be sweeping into the sea as well. How time flies.
Written December 5, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MotheroftheGroom29
Boston, MA1 contribution
Apr 2011
The location was lovely.. but the park attendants are LAZY and RUDE. They left a dead seal and birds all over one section of the beach and when I mentioned this their reply was it was a natural part of evolution or some crap..well I guess that means when his grandparents pass he's just going to leave them rot where ever they fall too.
Then when that same fool was taking my money later that week so I could park my car & go watch the wedding he was taking his dear sweet time about it.. So I said to him.. could you hurry up.. I have a wedding to go to. He then told the people behind me ( My sister and her family as it turns out) that he HATES people like me. I flew from the east coast to the west coast to be there & this fool taking my money but not cleaning the beach of dead corpses is saying he hates me because I expect him to do his job and not doddle. Well PARDON the hell out of me
Then when that same fool was taking my money later that week so I could park my car & go watch the wedding he was taking his dear sweet time about it.. So I said to him.. could you hurry up.. I have a wedding to go to. He then told the people behind me ( My sister and her family as it turns out) that he HATES people like me. I flew from the east coast to the west coast to be there & this fool taking my money but not cleaning the beach of dead corpses is saying he hates me because I expect him to do his job and not doddle. Well PARDON the hell out of me
Written April 9, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimm T
Lincoln, NE2 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
October to Feb is Monarch time. Worth it. Pretty standard, small state park area, but information was interesting, park staff was friendly. Honestly, you could enjoy your time and be done in an hour or two at most.
Written October 31, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moot
Tenbury Wells, UK1,363 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Parked for free on the roadside just parallel with the state park entrance. A beautiful place with easy walks. Interesting information centre with lots of fun facts about the butterflies and a shop for souvenirs.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crupi
Alpharetta, GA53 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
...both people watching and scenery. Rode bikes there with the kids and had some wine (brought it), watching the sunset as the kids played. I’ve been all over the world and I have to say that this beach just may be the most beautiful, even when compared to Black Rock in Maui.
Written March 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you need to have any sort of permit to get married with about 20 people on this beach? As I have read some of the beaches require a permit
Lhamlin
Columbus, OH1,013 contributions
I am not sure you should call the dept of parks & recreation. Also may be different with the Covid shutdown. Good luck!
twooding
Paris
How do you get to the beach? Is it stroller friendly (BOB jogging stroller)? We have a toddler with us.
Syn
Ojai, CA
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
Noelle C
233 contributions
Not on this beach. But there is a dog beach closer to the pier, right next to the lighthouse. I think it’s called Lighthouse Beach. It’s an even better beach because there’s no seaweed or drift wood, the sand is finer and the dogs have so much fun.
FlyingSolo916
Sacramento, CA43 contributions
My family is planning on visiting the Natural Bridges State Beach towards the end of this month...I really want to see the Monarch Butterflies but it sounds like this is not a good time to see them. Is this year not a good year for them?
607happytraveler
Oxnard, CA68 contributions
The time to see the butterflies is past. It is a seasonal time for the butterflies. It was a great butterfly season this year, too. Sorry you missed it.
Sharmila2016
San Jose, CA
when is the best time to visit the beach. I would like to go during the warmest season.
Monica_Riehl
El Paso, TX525 contributions
Temperatures change in Santa Cruz at the drop of a hat. Mornings are usually chilly and foggy but warm and clear by noon.
Check out last year's almanac for rain patterns but July had some very warm/hot days after 1p.m.
I hope that helps!
Warmly,
M
123blueeyes
Menlo Park, CA
Is the park open on Thanksgiving Thursday?
bil1026
Santa Cruz, CA56 contributions
I think so & if not, just park on Delaware Ave. & walk in the back entrance for free! No locked gate to the Monarch walkway or beach.
CaliforniaFrannie
California14 contributions
We will be in Santa Cruz this weekend (Oct. 9-12). Are there many monarch butterflies that have returned to park yet? Are there guided ranger butterfly tours this weekend? What about tidepool tours?
bil1026
Santa Cruz, CA56 contributions
Tides: just go...ogle tides [d o t] info Santa Cruz
Butterflies: A few, but not many until after Thanksgiving and the first cold snap. You might still see some humpbacks from the cliffs at the UCSC Marine Discovery Center at the end of Delaware Ave.
Does anyone know what time would be best to see the tide pools
CaliforniaGirl_212
Santa Cruz, CA50 contributions
The best low tides are in dec/jan, but any minus tide is good. Be sure there isn't a swell so the waves are calm. Wear shoes with grippy soles that can get wet
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