THE 10 BEST Santa Cruz Beaches
Beaches in Santa Cruz
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Category types
Outdoor Activities
Traveler rating
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13 places sorted by traveler favorites
What travelers are saying
- glennmartinwcSan Francisco, CA33 contributionsWe 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, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Balasubramanian RChennai (Madras), India732 contributionsSanta Cruz Main Beach is one of the important tourist attraction place. Behind the beach amusement park boardwalk and other things are there. Enjoyed the beach and an excellent view. It attracts tourists from all walks of lifeWritten September 16, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sonofdragonSan Jose, CA268 contributionsLived in the bay area for years but never take Santa Cruz seriously. Some good things surely come during this pandemic madness. Discovery of Pleasure Point was a blessing for us since we're having pandemic fatigue. Walking the public path while enjoying the breeze/waves was cooling/calming to the mind. Watching the surfers ride the waves was so exciting. Seeing people jogging/running/walking/biking is very inspiring. And the sea birds flying close just above the waves and diving for a catch was a sure wow moment to watch. Words cant say more. Stop the worry and make life livable again!Written January 15, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Michelle GPrien am Chiemsee, Germany22 contributionsArea 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, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- miniFremont, CA176,137 contributionsWe did a return visit to Waddell State Beach. This is an awesome beach to watch the wind surfers. Part of Big Basin Redwood State Park is across the way.Written December 10, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- miniFremont, CA176,137 contributionsWe enjoyed going to Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz. Its close to the main harbor area. We liked the views. We took a nice walk by the Pacific Ocean.Written July 13, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Theresa A30 contributionsThe beach is very pretty, but a little scruffy in parts. There were a few homeless folks on the beach and in some parts we found dog poop. The part by the lighthouse was nicer and cleaner.Written March 13, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Balasubramanian RChennai (Madras), India732 contributionsName is derived from the fact that the beach is near by Light house and it is just situated northern side of the lighthouse. In this beach dogs are allowed and tourists enjoyed with the pet one. Western side Pacific ocean.Written September 15, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- John MSanta Cruz, CA4,376 contributionsThe surfing scene is unique for most visitors from out of the area who find that it is always interesting to watch both the surfers in the water, and the other people watching the surfers.Written January 18, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Gerald ROakland, CA493 contributionsWhen I go to the beach at Half Moon Bay I go boogie boarding to relax. Last summer my cousin introduced me to this beach as it is his getaway to relax. This is not a place to boogie board or surf due to the rip tides and the steep steps walking down to this beach. That doesn't mean you cannot have a great time here. In fact I like going to beaches that are different from each other.
I came here with that same cousin on Friday July 3. Due to the pandemic we practiced social distancing. There were people but the beach wasn't packed. However I knew if we had come to this beach on Saturday July 4 this beach would've been crowded.
What makes this beach unique is the serenity. Walking down the steep steps the cliff acts as a barrier to prevent the sounds of traffic. Even though the beach isn't big due to the rugged terrain behind the beach the the area on the beach makes it spacious. With the depth of the area you can throw a football, fling a frisbee, and kick a soccer ball without feeling cramped.
I'll admit Northern California doesn't have the glamourous beaches like Southern California. That doesn't mean you can't relax and have "fun in the sun" at certain beaches in Northern California. If you don't want to go the congestion at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz I recommend coming to free-flowing atmosphere at Panther Beach.Written August 23, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - bcneusSanta Cruz, CA29 contributionsThis is a nice little beach away from the crowds. Its quiet, and peaceful. Great views of the Monterey bay. The winter tends to wash the beach away so you may find the beach gone.Written October 30, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- miniFremont, CA176,137 contributionsWe went to Coast Daires State Park, which is north of the main area of Santa Cruz. Parking is on highway one. Its very popular. There are nice views of the Pacific Ocean. Its a great place for a walk. Its not as well known though as other parks there as there is very little signage for the park.Written June 14, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Theresa A30 contributionsVisited this state beach in March with a group and it was excellent. Very interesting to see the tide pools and learn more about the local marine ecosystem. Staff were knowledgeable and passionate about their work. I posted a review then with five stars and highly recommended it. In May, I returned to the area and took my eldest son (age 26). The parking lot is now overgrown with weeds and had sketchy people smoking marijuana there. We didn't feel comfortable stopping even though it was still daylight. It looked kind of abandoned which was odd since I'd just been there. The listing has disappeared from Trip Advisor although the California parks website still shows it as open. The fee booth was closed when we went, but covered with signs that said there was nothing to steal and to please not break in. I'm not sure how to rate this now between excellent in March and "nope not stopping" in May. I'd recommend parking outside the park in the lot closest to the ocean. It's time limited though. The lot by the visitors center allows more time, but felt very unsafe.Written May 22, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz
- These places are best for beaches in Santa Cruz:
- Natural Bridges State Beach
- Pleasure Point Beach
- Santa Cruz Main Beach
- Seabright State Beach
- Twin Lakes State Beach
- These are the best places for kid-friendly beaches in Santa Cruz:
- Natural Bridges State Beach
- Santa Cruz Main Beach
- Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
- Pleasure Point Beach
- Twin Lakes State Beach
- These are the best places for couples seeking beaches in Santa Cruz:See more beaches for couples in Santa Cruz on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for groups seeking beaches in Santa Cruz:
- Natural Bridges State Beach
- Santa Cruz Main Beach
- Pleasure Point Beach
- Twin Lakes State Beach
- Seabright State Beach
- These are the best places for budget-friendly beaches in Santa Cruz:
- Natural Bridges State Beach
- Santa Cruz Main Beach
- Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
- Pleasure Point Beach
- Twin Lakes State Beach
See what travelers are asking
Forum posts were selected by looking for forum titles asking specific questions and taking the top showtopic page by total pageviews as the optimal topic.
So I havent seen this post recently. Debating the merits of staying in Santa Cruz vs Capitola.
We are are a sports team of 15- 16 yr old boys traveling from Orange County ,ca to the area in end of July. Games can range from being in Sc, Aptos, cabrillo and San Lorenzo. We will be in the area for four days with some down time in the evenings.
Hotels are expensive in both areas. Looking into the Fairfield inn in Capitola (rates ave ~$300 but with breakfast & bocci ball court) with some of chain restaurants like chipotle & mall nearby.
The other option to to get a hotel in SC possibly Hotel Paradox in the higher end (~$330 but no breakfast) or Holiday Inn or Hyatt place same price as FI.
Pls lmk your thoughts of what would be a better city SC or C?
Would like a hotel where parents & kids have a nice common area to congregate during down time.
Also would like to have the boys have access to fun things to do during down time & have access to good food options since 16 yrs old boys playing sports are always hungry.
Will the team with 30+ people be frustrated trying to get into a non chain restaurant in Sc?
Hotel P is off the beaten path & expensive but has nicer facilities like pool area with nice lounge area. Is the hotel worth the extra $?
Any appreciate suggestions on the hotel I mentioned or any others that I have may have overlooked.
Thank you for your advice.
We are are a sports team of 15- 16 yr old boys traveling from Orange County ,ca to the area in end of July. Games can range from being in Sc, Aptos, cabrillo and San Lorenzo. We will be in the area for four days with some down time in the evenings.
Hotels are expensive in both areas. Looking into the Fairfield inn in Capitola (rates ave ~$300 but with breakfast & bocci ball court) with some of chain restaurants like chipotle & mall nearby.
The other option to to get a hotel in SC possibly Hotel Paradox in the higher end (~$330 but no breakfast) or Holiday Inn or Hyatt place same price as FI.
Pls lmk your thoughts of what would be a better city SC or C?
Would like a hotel where parents & kids have a nice common area to congregate during down time.
Also would like to have the boys have access to fun things to do during down time & have access to good food options since 16 yrs old boys playing sports are always hungry.
Will the team with 30+ people be frustrated trying to get into a non chain restaurant in Sc?
Hotel P is off the beaten path & expensive but has nicer facilities like pool area with nice lounge area. Is the hotel worth the extra $?
Any appreciate suggestions on the hotel I mentioned or any others that I have may have overlooked.
Thank you for your advice.
Answer: There is not much for boys that age in Capitola. Its core is a small village with boutique shopping. The hotel itself is on busy 41st Avenue, not very near the village. The mall you speak of is considering going out of business and turning into something else. It has a couple of semi-fast food restaurants. It is not something the boys could walk to from the Fairfield Inn, or has anything of interest to them, IMO.
The Holiday Inn Express in Santa Cruz is not near anything for the boys except Denny's :~). It is on Ocean Street as you come into the town. The Paradox is a new remake of a Holiday Inn and it screams 'businessmen'. It is also on Ocean Avenue, but further down and just across San Lorenzo Park (about two or three blocks) from the main street of town, Pacific Avenue, with lots of restaurants of various kinds, two movie theaters, ice cream parlors, a cookie company, pizza, etc.
Have you looked into the Dream Inn? This is of the same quality as, or better than, the others but near the Wharf and a block from the Boardwalk, an old fashioned historic amusement park with no admission charge.
The hotel has a pool and faces a beach. Surfing lessons happen there. There are volleyball nets set up on part of the beach near the Boardwalk. During the summer there are free movies and concerts and aerial acts at various times on the main beach there. Of your choices, I really think this is the best. It is not inexpensive, but I think it might be in the same ballpark as the Paradox. The boys *could* walk to Pacific Avenue from here, but it is about 8 or 9 blocks to the main area .
The Hyatt is new and I know nothing about it except its location. It is on the west side and not really convenient to activities for the boys.
I am going to give you a link to a traveler article on Santa Cruz. Trip Advisor has stopped supporting these, so there is a disclaimer that the information may be outdated. The information in this article is not outdated. I will be re-writing it to put in my own files.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g33048-c133677/Santa-Cruz:California:Santa.Cruz.Sights.And.Activities.html
Good luck and let me know if I can be of help....
Edit. The Paradox is not in a "shady area of town". Yes, homeless people do hang out in San Lorenzo Park, but there is no reason for the boys to go there. If you should pick that hotel they can walk on city streets, quite safely, to get to Pacific Avenue...
The Holiday Inn Express in Santa Cruz is not near anything for the boys except Denny's :~). It is on Ocean Street as you come into the town. The Paradox is a new remake of a Holiday Inn and it screams 'businessmen'. It is also on Ocean Avenue, but further down and just across San Lorenzo Park (about two or three blocks) from the main street of town, Pacific Avenue, with lots of restaurants of various kinds, two movie theaters, ice cream parlors, a cookie company, pizza, etc.
Have you looked into the Dream Inn? This is of the same quality as, or better than, the others but near the Wharf and a block from the Boardwalk, an old fashioned historic amusement park with no admission charge.
The hotel has a pool and faces a beach. Surfing lessons happen there. There are volleyball nets set up on part of the beach near the Boardwalk. During the summer there are free movies and concerts and aerial acts at various times on the main beach there. Of your choices, I really think this is the best. It is not inexpensive, but I think it might be in the same ballpark as the Paradox. The boys *could* walk to Pacific Avenue from here, but it is about 8 or 9 blocks to the main area .
The Hyatt is new and I know nothing about it except its location. It is on the west side and not really convenient to activities for the boys.
I am going to give you a link to a traveler article on Santa Cruz. Trip Advisor has stopped supporting these, so there is a disclaimer that the information may be outdated. The information in this article is not outdated. I will be re-writing it to put in my own files.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g33048-c133677/Santa-Cruz:California:Santa.Cruz.Sights.And.Activities.html
Good luck and let me know if I can be of help....
Edit. The Paradox is not in a "shady area of town". Yes, homeless people do hang out in San Lorenzo Park, but there is no reason for the boys to go there. If you should pick that hotel they can walk on city streets, quite safely, to get to Pacific Avenue...
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