West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,344 reviews
Excellent
1,050
Very good
253
Average
36
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Emerald7775
San Jose, CA14 contributions
Jan 2022
We love driving and walking along West Cliff. It starts just after the boardwalk and ends at Natural Bridges beach. There is free parking along the way, so you can stop, walk, or just sit on a bench at almost any point along the way. We love seeing the people from locals to tourists. There are surfers in the water to watch and this time we saw a man creating giant soap bubbles. There is a small museum that I have never been to as well. It's fun to walk, run, bike, skate or just sit along the coast.
Written January 7, 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.
MichaelMc777
Sunnyvale, CA5,211 contributions
Nov 2020 • Solo
This one on the best walks in the Bay Area.
The walk has so many wonderful elements. Beautiful views, healthy 5 mile round trip walk, Light house museum, great small beaches, dog beaches, great places to watch surfers up close, interesting architecture, great coffee shop at the church, good local food by the light house, a public restroom, and a great winding walk path.
The sunsets are great too!!
A must!
The walk has so many wonderful elements. Beautiful views, healthy 5 mile round trip walk, Light house museum, great small beaches, dog beaches, great places to watch surfers up close, interesting architecture, great coffee shop at the church, good local food by the light house, a public restroom, and a great winding walk path.
The sunsets are great too!!
A must!
Written November 18, 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.
519alice2016
Modesto, CA23 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Driving along the coast by Santa Cruz is an absolute Delight except on weekends. Weekends can be wall-to-wall cars no place to park and hard to actually find a place to stop and look at the water. The rocks and the waves are spectacular, sometimes there are Surfers. I could just sit and look at the water and the waves 4 quite a bit of time especially if you have packed a lunch or have a bottle of wine.
There's a walking path if you're a walker and dogs are welcome. Just find a place to park and enjoy gorgeous central California coast.
There's a walking path if you're a walker and dogs are welcome. Just find a place to park and enjoy gorgeous central California coast.
Written January 24, 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.
Lisa E
Boggstown, IN15 contributions
Mar 2022
This drive is a beautiful drive of the coast. Parking is a little difficult but once you find a spot definitely take a while watching surfers. We were able to find a spot close to the Surfing Museum. it's a neat place with pictures and cute shirts and surf board keychains to purchase!
Written March 28, 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.
SaraMSea
Seattle, WA68 contributions
Feb 2020
Soak in 180+ degrees of the gorgeous Pacific coast while walking along a lovely path perched on the cliff. No need to pay for park entrance fees or buy a meal at a waterfront restaurant to get these striking views! Watch surfers, look for wildlife, hear the waves crashing. Bring a friend and a coffee and take your time.
Written February 27, 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.
Summerasalifestyle
Malibu, CA3,585 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Starts at the wharf downtown, passes statute, light hours and some beautiful houses and ends at Natural Bridges state park. About 3.3 miles with detours. Detours were caused by the atmospheric rivers of rain last winter spring of 2023. Lotsa of parking along the way with Great views. Beach is mostly nonexistent except a small area that’s mostly a dog park by light house. It’s a great walking area. Day or night. Locals and tourists.
Written August 16, 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.
Bonnie D
115 contributions
Aug 2020
Beautiful scenery, great views of the wharf, kiteboarders were out, natural arch on 1 of the beachs, saw a whale spout in the distance. Nice relaxing walk on wide paved sidewalk. Almost everyone had a mask on and kept their distance as much as possible.
Written August 19, 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.
bg564
Windhoek, Namibia857 contributions
May 2022
It's nice to drive on West Cliff drive any time of year but spring or summer when it is sunny is the best. Find a place to park and walk along the cliff or on the rocks or down to one of the beaches. Great place to spend an afternoon.
Written June 9, 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.
mini
Fremont, CA212,218 contributions
Feb 2020
We've been to West Coast Drive many many times. This time it was a warm February day. It was a very popular place to be. There are beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. Its a great place for a walk, bike ride, skating, etc. There is the surfer statue, surf museum, and other things to see.
Written February 28, 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.
mini
Fremont, CA212,218 contributions
Jan 2021
we returned and drove the West Shore Cliff Drive. This is always beautiful and extends from Natural Bridges State Park to the Boardwalk area.
This time it was sunny. There were good waves so lots of surfers were there.
This time it was sunny. There were good waves so lots of surfers were there.
Written January 11, 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.
How’s the fishing? Any good spots for a boy with. As n ocean rod?
Written January 1, 2020
A gorgeous spot in which to fish. Though I've not fished here myself, I walk along the coastline every day and see plenty of people casting their lines, mainly off of the wharf, so I'm guessing they do fairly well. The beauty of this area makes fishing here a glorious experience, whether you catch anything or not.
Written February 20, 2020
Georgiajayhawk
Valdosta, Georgia
Are there places nearby where you can rent bicycles for West Cliff Drive?
Written March 26, 2017
yes you can rent bicycles at any of the shops along the boardwalk, close to the pier.
Written April 4, 2017
Hi, Can we see the giant redwoods in Santa Cruz? Where would be a good place on a drive South from San Francisco? We have been to Muir Woods and loved it, but are trying to find shorter drive if possible as we are coming in from Flagstaff, AZ.
Thanks much.
Written July 10, 2016
You can see giant redwoods at Henry Coe State Park, which is in Felton, CA, a little north of Santa Cruz. Browse to the California State Parks website and search for this park by name.
Written July 10, 2016
we are staying at the Seaway Inn on W. Cliff Drive. We want to WALK the West Cliff drive from there to the Natural Bridges. I keep trying to get directions/mileage but it won't let me go that way it keeps taking me down a different Rd. We can start at the Boardwalk or wharf per the directions and take West Cliff Drive though but that would mean us going East to go back west...LOL I am confused can anyone help me on this?
Written April 30, 2016
I live downtown and walk it everyday. From the Seaway, it is 1/2 a mile to Steamers ( Surfer Museum light house looking thing). From there it is another mile , or less, to Natural Bridges.
The walk is so beautiful you will easily walk it, i.e., you will loose track of time :-)
Secret Garden tip:
Go the extra mile down to UCSC's Seymour marine discovery center!
Written May 1, 2016
can you get married at walton lighthouse???
Written November 11, 2015
The lighthouse also houses the surfer museum and the setting, in a grassy park, is beautiful. The city Parks and Recreation Dpt. can tell you about getting married there...another option, if you want to get married outside, is to do the inexpensive beach area there or at Capitola, Seacliff, New Brighton...
Written November 12, 2015
I highly recommend you try for parking near the lighthouse and walk to Natural Bridges State Park. It is a lovely walking along the crashing ocean, well-paved, super safe, a full of dog walkers and others loving the views.
Written November 12, 2015
Can you walk the West Cliff Drive? How long is it? How safe is the walk in July?
Written July 2, 2015
I have walked West Cliff Drive days and nights and every month of the year. Because there are always people around and gorgeous houses beside the path, you will be perfectly safe!
Written November 12, 2015
Matthew N
Winnipeg, Canada
Is there a hot tub in the pool area, and if so, is it open during the winter months?
Written January 5, 2015
Stay at the Dream Inn. It is beautiful and the pool area does have a hot tub.
Written January 8, 2015
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