Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
4.5
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Adjacent to Santa Cruz harbor, this beach has beach volley ball as well as nearby shops and restaurants.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
119 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
33
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Alex C
Annapolis, MD39 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
Face it, you are too old for the roller coaster, surfing looks cool but it will take years of falling till you're hanging ten. So what's in Santa Cruz, that will get your heart pumping while breaking a sweat. Whether you have an hour, an afternoon or all day, there's great scenic rides around Santa Cruz. Whether you haven't been on a bicycle since you acquired a driver license or you regularly pedal centuries, there's something to suit your level and time constraints.
There are at least four bicycle rentals in Santa Cruz, they seem to cater to different audiences. Pacific Ave Cycles rents mostly beach cruisers (single speed) and some mountain bikes to folks who mostly cruise around town. It seems another outfit caters to road bikes, and still the other outfits cater to more serious mountain bikers. Figure out your interest, and go with the appropriate bike rental.
I rented a mountain bike from Pacific Ave Cycles, 318 Pacific Ave, 831-471-2453. The folks were friendly, helpful, and efficient. It cost $20 for a two+ hour rental including the helmet. The equipment was in great shape, disk brakes work really well.
I meter parked in front of their store, (you'll need quarters) rode northwest along the coast. West Cliff Drive starts a few blocks from the store, within a few minutes you are overlooking the Monterey Bay bluffs; rolling passed, surfers, waves crashing into the mostly rocky shore. There's lots of pedestrian traffic on the bicycle path, so I spent quite a bit of time on the road, cars drive slowly through this stretch. West Cliff runs for maybe 3 miles. I made a right on Swanton, a left onto Delaware, a right onto Natural Bridges, and a left at the T. This road empties into a bicycle path that parallels Route 1 for another 3 miles or so to Wilder Ranch State Park. The bike path has a patches with sand and debris, so it's best to be on a mountain bike. Once the road ends at Wilder Ranch, you will need a mountain bike to ride the trails, I rode the trail along the shore, (head wind was brutal). If I had a little more time, I would have returned via the high trail through Wilder. The trails are not particularly well marked.
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/pacific-to-redwoods-loop-at-wilder-ranch-state-park/map
You will come back hungry and thristy, there's no shortage of eateries.
I was solo, but this is also a good way to spend the afternoon with your teens.
There are at least four bicycle rentals in Santa Cruz, they seem to cater to different audiences. Pacific Ave Cycles rents mostly beach cruisers (single speed) and some mountain bikes to folks who mostly cruise around town. It seems another outfit caters to road bikes, and still the other outfits cater to more serious mountain bikers. Figure out your interest, and go with the appropriate bike rental.
I rented a mountain bike from Pacific Ave Cycles, 318 Pacific Ave, 831-471-2453. The folks were friendly, helpful, and efficient. It cost $20 for a two+ hour rental including the helmet. The equipment was in great shape, disk brakes work really well.
I meter parked in front of their store, (you'll need quarters) rode northwest along the coast. West Cliff Drive starts a few blocks from the store, within a few minutes you are overlooking the Monterey Bay bluffs; rolling passed, surfers, waves crashing into the mostly rocky shore. There's lots of pedestrian traffic on the bicycle path, so I spent quite a bit of time on the road, cars drive slowly through this stretch. West Cliff runs for maybe 3 miles. I made a right on Swanton, a left onto Delaware, a right onto Natural Bridges, and a left at the T. This road empties into a bicycle path that parallels Route 1 for another 3 miles or so to Wilder Ranch State Park. The bike path has a patches with sand and debris, so it's best to be on a mountain bike. Once the road ends at Wilder Ranch, you will need a mountain bike to ride the trails, I rode the trail along the shore, (head wind was brutal). If I had a little more time, I would have returned via the high trail through Wilder. The trails are not particularly well marked.
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/pacific-to-redwoods-loop-at-wilder-ranch-state-park/map
You will come back hungry and thristy, there's no shortage of eateries.
I was solo, but this is also a good way to spend the afternoon with your teens.
Written October 1, 2013
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.
Robert D
Santa Cruz, CA9 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
I don't play volleyball, I don't sail, I don't swim, I don't surf, and I don't fish. These are all things you can do at Harbor Beach. Yet I'm there almost every day, and I love the place. Because I love to hang out, and there's no better place to do it.
Frankly, it's got the only coffee house around that's right on the beach. The wife and I watch the sun come up over Monterey Bay there nearly every morning. People pay huge money to go see a view like that, and I don't have to pay anything but a few bucks for a coffee and a muffin. Good baked goods, too. Sailors, fishermen, old salts, athletes, live-aboards, characters -- they're all there, Throw the left-over pastry to the gulls and watch the pelicans fly overhead like squadrons of bombers.
People run on the beach and fish on the rocks and pole paddleboards out of the harbor; boats sail out to sea, and back in tagain. On weekends there's volleyball, often tournaments. Don't miss the Halloween tournament, it's in costume. Every Saturday morning the Sons of the Beach show up, over 100 of them, for a mass ukelele concert. On Wednesdays or Thursdays in good weather, the Crow's Nest restaurant throws a beach barbecue with beer and entertainment.
And there's a bar in the Mexican restaurant and you can take out burritos to eat outside. Or get fan-say and go to the Crow's Nest, a conventional but extremely competent restaurant where nearly every table has a sea view and a reasonably-priced restaurant may be had with a Bloody Mary every day.
Saturday and Sunday afternoon on good days are great; local families come with their kids, volleyball is going, sail boats are all over the bay, slackers and bikini girls are plentiful, big parties get going farther down the beach at the fire pits. They're all doing things. Me, I just like to watch it all with a book and a coffee and hang. There is, again, no better place.
Frankly, it's got the only coffee house around that's right on the beach. The wife and I watch the sun come up over Monterey Bay there nearly every morning. People pay huge money to go see a view like that, and I don't have to pay anything but a few bucks for a coffee and a muffin. Good baked goods, too. Sailors, fishermen, old salts, athletes, live-aboards, characters -- they're all there, Throw the left-over pastry to the gulls and watch the pelicans fly overhead like squadrons of bombers.
People run on the beach and fish on the rocks and pole paddleboards out of the harbor; boats sail out to sea, and back in tagain. On weekends there's volleyball, often tournaments. Don't miss the Halloween tournament, it's in costume. Every Saturday morning the Sons of the Beach show up, over 100 of them, for a mass ukelele concert. On Wednesdays or Thursdays in good weather, the Crow's Nest restaurant throws a beach barbecue with beer and entertainment.
And there's a bar in the Mexican restaurant and you can take out burritos to eat outside. Or get fan-say and go to the Crow's Nest, a conventional but extremely competent restaurant where nearly every table has a sea view and a reasonably-priced restaurant may be had with a Bloody Mary every day.
Saturday and Sunday afternoon on good days are great; local families come with their kids, volleyball is going, sail boats are all over the bay, slackers and bikini girls are plentiful, big parties get going farther down the beach at the fire pits. They're all doing things. Me, I just like to watch it all with a book and a coffee and hang. There is, again, no better place.
Written December 24, 2012
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.
zephyr-9999
Port Townsend, WA9 contributions
Jun 2012 • Solo
Perfect Balance
The Santa Cruz Harbor is one of my favorite places because it's the perfect balance of activity and quiet. It's a calmer alternative to the Boardwalk, but more lively than the hidden beaches.
Chill out on the beach, or walk the 2-mile path around the marina (you can take a shortcut over the road) for a mild adventure to Walton Lighthouse. It's a one-way path (not a loop), so give yourself lots of time.
You can play or watch beach volleyball, enjoy Wednesday night boat races (spring to autumn), and ride a free water taxi. One of my favorite decadent luxuries is to take a nap on a marina bench in the sun.
Bring a picnic, grab a taco, drink a cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy a seafood dinner and drinks. For only a handfull of restaurants, there's a good variety of food.
Wear layers, and even on hot days be prepared for cool weather if the wind kicks up, or as the sun goes down. During a storm, the Harbor is a wonderful place to watch the wildness of nature (stay at a safe distance, of course) with its great waves crashing on the beach.
It gets crowded on weekends and holidays, but if you're willing to walk a little, there's always a parking spot to be found. If you have an RV, you can make your stay even longer.
The Santa Cruz Harbor is one of my favorite places because it's the perfect balance of activity and quiet. It's a calmer alternative to the Boardwalk, but more lively than the hidden beaches.
Chill out on the beach, or walk the 2-mile path around the marina (you can take a shortcut over the road) for a mild adventure to Walton Lighthouse. It's a one-way path (not a loop), so give yourself lots of time.
You can play or watch beach volleyball, enjoy Wednesday night boat races (spring to autumn), and ride a free water taxi. One of my favorite decadent luxuries is to take a nap on a marina bench in the sun.
Bring a picnic, grab a taco, drink a cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy a seafood dinner and drinks. For only a handfull of restaurants, there's a good variety of food.
Wear layers, and even on hot days be prepared for cool weather if the wind kicks up, or as the sun goes down. During a storm, the Harbor is a wonderful place to watch the wildness of nature (stay at a safe distance, of course) with its great waves crashing on the beach.
It gets crowded on weekends and holidays, but if you're willing to walk a little, there's always a parking spot to be found. If you have an RV, you can make your stay even longer.
Written August 30, 2012
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.
Michael K
929 contributions
Sep 2020
This beach, located at 5th Ave. at East Cliff Dr., is actually called Twin Lakes State Beach. There are many signs for "Twin Lakes State Beach" posted on the beach alongside East Cliff Dr. The beach is not that big, but it has a good view of Walton Lighthouse across the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor on the west side. It is pleasant to visit but no big loss if you miss it.
Written September 3, 2020
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.
Monica_Riehl
El Paso, TX525 contributions
Aug 2015
The thing about this beach is that it is beautiful and totally fun as long as you stay out of the water. If you are looking for surf lessons, Club Ed surf school and camps will take you North of the pier - where the water quality is far superior to the water south of the pier. South of the pier boasts bacteria and pollution.
Written October 16, 2015
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.
Michelle G
Prien am Chiemsee, Germany22 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Area around the lighthouse is very nice and clean. We were there at low tide, so we could walk up to the lighthouse without getting drenched by breaking waves. Very cool!
Written January 21, 2020
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.
Adam A
Mariposa, CA55 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Harbor Beach is special in many ways. Adjacent to the larger Twin Lakes State Beach it has some real differentiating factors to the many other beaches in Santa Cruz: it’s the only Beach you can legally launch and land catamarans and outrigger Canoes during the summer season, April 1 through October 31. (Capitola Beach also allows landing, but is much smaller and has lighter winds). There’s great food and dining right on the beach, such as Crows Nest, and there is ample parking. Be sure you get a permit though or you will be cited. There is also plenty of entertainment, including boats entering and exiting the harbor, catamaran sailors braving the surf, and players on the beach volleyball courts.
It is also the only Beach you can legally consume alcoholic beverages, but be sure you are West of the life guard tower and cones set up to differentiate the property line, otherwise the park rangers will cite you.
The beach is great for wading for people of all ages, but do not underestimate the powerful surf. We always put life jackets on our kids when they were young while playing in the water.
It is also the only Beach you can legally consume alcoholic beverages, but be sure you are West of the life guard tower and cones set up to differentiate the property line, otherwise the park rangers will cite you.
The beach is great for wading for people of all ages, but do not underestimate the powerful surf. We always put life jackets on our kids when they were young while playing in the water.
Written July 31, 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.
A Sun
Santa Cruz, CA100 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
A great spot next to the harbor. The Crows Nest restaurant along with a few other shops are located there. There are usually some folks playing volleyball and others just enjoying the sun.
Written July 9, 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.
Ruth-ful1
Concord, CA10 contributions
May 2014 • Family
The sound of the waves crashing along the seashore, the perfectly blue skies mirroring the blue of the majestic Pacific, the smell of salt in the air as your breath is taken away by the sight of the cliffs in the distance...aah Santa Cruz, I dare think myself bewitched by thy indulgence.
Written September 3, 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.
pippin2012
Santa Cruz, CA48 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
As we live about 300 yards from this beach we are there almost every day and enjoy it as much as first time users.
The fire pits are a nice added benefit that most beaches don't offer
The fire pits are a nice added benefit that most beaches don't offer
Written August 5, 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.
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Claim your listingSanta Cruz Harbor Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
- Hotels near Santa Cruz Harbor Beach:
- (0.02 mi) Oceanfront Harbor House
- (0.03 mi) Anchor's Away
- (0.06 mi) A Few Steps From Beach, Harbor & Crow's Nest; Views Of Each From Quiet Home
- (0.05 mi) 4th house from Twin Lakes Beach and a 2 minute walk to the Crow’ Nest and Harbor
- (0.11 mi) Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park
- Restaurants near Santa Cruz Harbor Beach:
- (0.02 mi) Cafe El Palomar
- (0.07 mi) The Crow's Nest
- (0.26 mi) Aldo's Harbor Restaurant
- (0.30 mi) Johnny's Harborside
- (0.55 mi) Linda's Seabreeze Cafe
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach Information
| Excellent Reviews | 74 |
|---|---|
| Very Good Reviews | 33 |
| Santa Cruz Harbor Beach Photos | 56 |































































