BEACHES

Rio Del Mar Beach
Rio Del Mar Blvd
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 429-2850
A long strip of white sand. You can take your
dog for a walk here (with a leash). Also enjoy
fine restaurants and shopping nearby. No day
fee. Open sunrise to sunset.

Seacliff State Beach
201 State Park Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 685-6444
An expansive white sand beach offers picnic facilities for day use, and RV camping. There
is fine fishing off of the “Palo Alto” beached
cement ship. Call for RV reservations. Open
sunrise to sunset.

“The Palo Alto”
Cement Ship

Outside Aptos

Lighthouse Field State Beach
West Cliff Drive & Pelton Ave
Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 429-3777
Streamer Lane, widely considered the birthplace
of mainland American surfing, is here. You’ll find
the surfing Museum housed in the lighthouse.

Manresa Uplands State Beach
205 Manresa Road
La Selva Beach, CA
(831) 761-1795
The perfect beach for a picnic and playing in
the surf. There are fire rings on the beach and
picnic tables available. Tent camping sites on
the bluffs are plentiful, but no RV hook ups.
Day fee. Open sunrise to sunset.

Natural Bridges State Beach
West Cliff Drive, west of Swift Street
Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 423-4609
Named for its water sculpted rock formations. Surfing, wind surfing or just sunbathing.
Guided tours of the Butterfly Natural Preserve
are offered on weekends.

New Brighton
State Beach

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New Brighton State Beach
1500 State Park Drive
Capitola, CA 95010
(800) 444-7275 Reservations
(831) 464-6330 Information
Cypress and Pine trees surround this tranquil camping beach known for its surf fish and clams. There is a fee for day use and reservations are required for overnight camping. No RV hook ups are offered. Open sunrise to 10 p.m.

Santa Cruz
Boardwalk

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach Street
Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 423-5590
West Coast’s only seaside amusement park:
27 rides, miniature golf, Casino Fun Center.

Capitola City Beach and Wharf
Esplanade Street & Monterey Ave
Capitola, CA
(831) 475-6522
Half-mile swimming and fishing beach with
charming boutiques, restaurants and galleries. Public fishing pier with bait & tackle, rod & boat rentals, sailing charters, etc.

Capitola Beach
and Wharf

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PARKS

Aptos Village Park
100 Aptos Creek Road
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 454-7956
A lovely creek-side park with picnic tables and
a grassy play area. The park building has a full kitchen and fireplace, ideal for weddings and
parties. Open 9 a.m. to sunset or by reservation.

The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Aptos Creek Road
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 763-7064
This lush Redwood forest park has over 30 miles
of hiking and trails, one of which leads to the epicenter of the 1989 earth quake. Horseback
riding, dogs, and biking are allowed in portions
of the park. There are day use picnic areas
available and camping at the Westridge Trail
Camp requires reservations.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park Road
Felton, CA
(831) 335-4598
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping,
picnics, gift shop. Self guided tour through
the Giant Redwoods.

Big Basin State Park
21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-8860
First State Park in California. Hiking, camping, picnics, tent cabins. Over 50 miles of trails
through redwood forests and waterfalls.

Elkhorn Slough Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Road
Watsonville, CA
(831) 728-2822
Five miles of hiking trails through grassland adjoining fresh and saltwater marshes. Great
place to view shorebirds.

Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast Road
Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 426-0505
Historic ranch has hiking, bike and horseback
riding trails. Old d farm buildings dating back
to the 1880’s contain historic exhibits of interest
to kinds and adults. Live farm animals.

Polo Grounds Regional Park
(831) 454-7956 Reservations
(831) 454-7900 Information