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Beaches
Capitola Beach
The Esplanade, Capitola
Located in Capitola village along the famous Esplanade, lined with shops and restaurants. Walk along the beach. Open sunrise to sunset.
Davenport Beach
Davenport Landing, Davenport
This protected cove is the original site of Davenport, a once thriving whaling town. Wheelchair accessible restrooms. Open sunrise to sunset.
East Cliff Coastal Access Points
12th Avenue to 41st Avenue, Live Oak
All of the points offer beach access from various locations along East Cliff Drive. Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
Main Beach/Cowell Beach
Beach Street, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz invites sun worshippers to play volleyball, swim, surf, or stroll along the sandy beach. Open sunrise to 10:00 pm.
Manresa State Beach
206 Sand Dollar, La Selva
Enjoy the surf, sand and sun. Picnic tables available. Day-use fee. Tent camping only; no RVs permitted. Reservations needed. Open 8:00 am to sunset.
Moran Lake Park
2700 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
This 9.2 acre regional park provides beach access, picnicking, surfing and fishing. Open Sunrise to sunset.
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
Monarch butterflies October through February. Visitor Center. Beach has low-tide tidepools and a natural arch. Open 8:00 am to sunset.
New Brighton State Beach
1500 Park Avenue, Capitola
Beach and campground open all year. Day-use fee $6. Campsites $20-$25. By reservation only. May 1 to October 31: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm; November 1 to April 30: 8:00 am to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Palm State Beach
End of West Beach Road, Watsonville
Picnic tables, BBQs, outdoor showers. Open 8:00 am to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Pleasure Point Beach
East Cliff Drive and Pleasure Point Drive, Santa Cruz
This coastal access point is a popular Santa Cruz surf spot. Open sunrise to sunset.
Red, White & Blue Beach
5021 Coast Road, Santa Cruz
Clothing-optional beach featuring day-use facilities and overnight camping. Open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm in the Summer, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Winter. No camping October 31 to January 31.
Rio Del Mar Beach
Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos
A wide strip of clean sand. Nearby shopping and restaurants. Dogs allowed on leashes. Lifeguards in the summer. Open 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
5th Avenue at East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
Harbor Beach is a beautiful beach adjacent to Santa Cruz Harbor and Twin Lakes State Beach with restaurants and shops. Harbor office open daily 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Seabright Beach
East Cliff Drive at Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz
A long sandy beach between the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
and the Santa Cruz Harbor. Fire rings available. Dogs permitted on leashes. Open daily 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Seacliff State Beach
201 State Park Drive, Aptos
This long stretch of sand has great accessible facilities including picnic areas, an interpretive center and RV camping. May 1 to October 31: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm; November 1 to April 30: 8:00 am to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Sunset State Beach
201 Sunset Beach Road, Watsonville
This campground-picnic area is located above the beach 16 miles south of Santa Cruz. Reservations recommended. Campground open year-round.
Day use open daily 6:00 am to sunset.
Twin Lakes State Beach
East Cliff Drive at 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz
One of the area's warmest beaches. Good location for birdwatching. Outdoor showers and restrooms are available. Open daily 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Waddell Creek / Rancho del Oso State Beach
303 Big Trees Park Road, Hwy 1, eight miles North of Davenport
Windy beach precludes sunbathing much of the year but attracts hang gliders, windsurfers and tidepool explorers. Nature Center. Open sunrise to sunset.
Parks & Reserves
Anna Jean Cummings Park
461 Old San Jose Road, Soquel
Community park with grand playground, group picnic area, soccer, baseball fields and a unique public art installation. Open sunrise to sunset or by reservation.
Ano Nuevo State Reserve
Located North of Davenport off Hwy 1
Naturalist-led tours venture into elephant seal breeding rookery December 15 to March 31. For reservations call (800) 444-4445. Open 8:00 am to sunset.
Aptos Village County Park
100 Aptos Creek Road, Aptos
Creekside park perfect for weddings, receptions, business picnics, private parties or meetings. Open sunrise to sunset or by reservation.
Ben Lomond Park
9525 Mill Street, Ben Lomond
A historical riverside park with picnic/BBQ areas, playground, basketball court, horseshoe pit and nature area. Open sunrise to sunset.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek
Features 2,000 year-old redwoods over 80 miles of trails. Guided walks available. Leashed dogs allowed on paved roads only. Open sunrise to sunset.
Castle Rock State Park
15000 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos
Features 5,208 acres of forestlands, 35 miles of hiking trails, two backpacking camps and some equestrian trails. No dogs. Open 6:00 am to sunset.
Derby Park
Woodland Way, Santa Cruz
One of the nation's oldest public skate parks, open turf area, picnic area with BBQs, play equipment, and tennis courts. Open daily sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville
Five miles of hiking trails through oak woodlands, grasslands, fresh and saltwater marshes. Seasonal viewing of sharks. Open Wednesday to Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tours: Saturday to Sunday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Fall Creek State Park
1400 Felton Empire Road, Felton
Heavily forested 2,400-acre park has historic lime kiln and barrel mill remnants and 20 miles of hiking trails. Open sunrise to sunset.
Felton Covered Bridge Park
Graham Hill Road and Mt. Hermon Road, Felton
A California State Historical Landmark. This park offers volleyball, picnic area with BBQ and playground. Open sunrise to sunset.
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Road, Aptos
10,000 acres of undeveloped second-growth redwood forest offers 30 miles of trails. Several picnic areas. Open daily 6:00 am to sunset.
Greyhound Rock County Park
Hwy 1 North of Davenport
Park offers coastal access, fishing, tidal pools, nature trails and family picnic area. Open sunrise to sunset.
Harvey West Park
275 Harvey West Blvd, Santa Cruz
A park for the whole family. Swimming pools, picnic tables, banquet/meeting facilities and play equipment. Hiking trails. Open Monday to Friday 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N. Big Trees Park Road, Felton
Self-guided trails, picnic areas, nature center and bookstore on site. Campground is off Graham Hill Road. Visitor Center open daily 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Highlands County Park
8500 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond
Something for everyone in a creekside setting; popular wedding facility, group picnic sites, sports fields, and tennis. Open sunrise to sunset or by reservation.
Jade Street Park / Capitola Community Center
4400 Jade Street, Capitola
Community Center offering recreation classes. Park has tennis courts, softball and soccer fields. Community garden. Park open 6:00 am to sunset.
Lighthouse Point and Field
700 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
Informal paths, picnic area, beach/surfing access and Lighthouse Surfing Museum. Park open sunrise to sunset.
Loch Lomond Recreation Area
100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton
Picnicking, fishing, hiking and interpretive water education walks with rangers. Boat rentals, bait, tackle, fishing licenses. No swimming. Open March 1 to September 15, 6:00 am to sunset.
Pinto Lake County Park
757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville
183-acre park has a beautiful lake, baseball and soccer fields, playgrounds and trails. Pavilions. Open sunrise to sunset.
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
800 Quail Hollow Road, Ben Lomond
Open sunrise to sunset or by reservation.
Siltanen Park
127 Vine Hill School Road, Scotts Valley
Features BBQ pits, soccer and softball fields and a pool. Open sunrise to sunset.
Skypark
361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
Features playground, tennis courts, soccer fields, BBQ pits, basketball courts, walking path, a 20,000 square foot skate park. Open sunrise to sunset.
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast Road, off Hwy 1, North of Santa Cruz
Trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use, historic ranch center, and six miles of pristine coastline. Historic complex open Thursday to Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; park open daily 8:00 am to sunset.
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