www.santacruzstateparks.org
 

The view of the Main Beach is blocked by a huge jut of land stretching in a thin extension toward the ocean and mounted with a fence to keep tourists inside the walkway. While people in Santa Cruz seem irreverent of fencing, climbing under just about any fence there is, the best that can be said about this walkway rail is that it gives you something to hang onto when one of the strong winds nearly knocks you down. At the base of this hilltop piece of land is a picnic table with views of the ocean and Boardwalk to the north. Surfers find this vista an ideal place to peak at the water and judge the wave action below..

In the protected cove of Seabright Beach, the sand is extremely fine and the views of the Pacific Ocean are striking. The location is ideal for a picnic, a romantic hug or a walk with your dog (on leash.)

Seabright or Castles Beach  (at the foot of Seabright Avenue) is part of Twin Lakes State Beach. (831) 429-2850 Fire rings available. Dogs permitted on leashes. No alcohol. Open daily from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. The beach has a mile of sandy shoreline, popular for swimming and picnicking. The park’s adjacent Schwan's lake is a good location for bird watching.

Location - Directions
The small craft harbor in downtown Santa Cruz is approximately in the middle of Twin Lakes State Beach, which extends for a distance parallel to East Cliff Drive and Portola Drive. It is a small portion of the Parks and Parkland amounting to 42,334 acres owned and maintained by the State of California in coastal and mountain areas.  The County provides an additional 850 acres of parkland, numerous city parks and miles of  challenging trails for equestrian and mountain biking uses. 

"No Attitudes Allowed" Volleyball™ and Hiking
Of Santa Cruz and Northern California

Mean people are advised to hit the back button now!! This site is for people who go 110% but remember to play nice, share, and focus on the development of friendships rather than egos.

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play
than in a year of conversation." - Plato

Our program offers challenging and inspiring instruction (Spring 2006 and Summer 2006), tournaments (Summer 2006) and clinics with lots of emphasis on fun and development. The coordinator, Phil Kaplan, has been teaching and coaching volleyball for over twenty years and is a former ranked player. He has Master's Degrees in Physical Education and Sociology, received national certification as a CAP Level II Coach by the U.S. Volleyball Association and was named Northern California and Pacific Coast Coach of the Year. He is also a tennis player and avid hiker. If you don't believe all this fabrication go here for the real story.

Beach Volleyball Courts
Main Beach
Sun, sand and beach volleyball! Our courts will make your casual beach party or tournament a success. For more information, call 420-5270.


Seabright State Beach and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Directions from Downtown Santa Cruz: East on Soquel Avenue for 1 mile. Right on Seabright Avenue for 1 more mile. Right on East Cliff for 100 yards.

On the east side of Santa Cruz lies beautiful Seabright State Beach. To reach there from downtown Santa Cruz head east on Soquel Avenue (just over 1 mile) and turn right on Seabright Avenue. One block from the water turn right on East Cliff Drive and Seabright Beach is on your left.

On your way out of downtown, stop in at The Buttery, one of the best bakeries in town, on the corner of Soquel and Branciforte Drive (5/8 mile from downtown). Try the excellent sandwiches or black bottom cupcakes. Also at this intersection is Shopper's Corner, the oldest family run grocery in Santa Cruz. Locals shop here for excellent wines, produce and the busy butcher shop at the back of the store.

Continuing east on Soquel Avenue you come to the Rio Theater on the left. The Rio is a former 750 seat movie theater that became one the town's premiere venues for live concerts, lectures, and film screenings. At the Rio turn right onto Seabright Avenue. You then travel through the residential heart of the Seabright district for another mile. Just before the ocean turn right on East Cliff.

At the bottom of the hill Seabright State Beach is on your left and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is on your right. This little gem is worth a visit to see permanent collections of fossils and artifacts, a tide pool touch tank, and changing exhibits. Of special interest here are the collections and notes of Laura Hecox, who in 1883 took over her father's duty as light keeper in the Santa Cruz Lighthouse. She served in the post until 1916. While living on Lighthouse Point she became an avid amateur marine biologist. Her well organized records and collections were donated to the city in 1902 and are on display at the Museum.

Venturing back across the street to the beach, pass through the white metal gate to the sand. The gate roughly resembles a castle because this used to be called Castle Beach, after a building and restaurant once located on the bluff above the beach. This 1/2 mile stretch of sand is great for body surfing, jogging, swimming, and just plain lounging around. You'll find several fire rings for evening bonfires and BBQ's.

This spot is not easy for tourists to find and is therefore a neighborhood beach for locals. If you walk to the sandstone bluff at the far right side of the beach you may find a large cave to explore. The cave is not always accessible due to shifting sands and high tides. If it is open, go on through and you will emerge on the banks of the San Lorenzo River mouth. If you are brave enough to wade across the river, you can visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. But that's another story....

If you walk all the way to the left end of the beach you come to the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor (Yacht Harbor). In 2002 private investors completed a 41' high lighthouse on the jetty that protects the harbor. This structure holds a small light and fog horn. Climbing up on the concrete jacks of the jetty is good fun. Once on top, you can walk out to the harbor mouth and watch the sailboats go by. If seas are rough be watchful for rouge waves that often break over the jetty.

On Wednesday nights from April to October, local sailors get out during the early evening for friendly races. A good time to get to the harbor is 5:30pm when you can see the boats parading by. The big restaurant on the other side of the harbor mouth is the Crow's Nest. It is the place to be on Wednesday nights. To get there from the lighthouse side, walk back down the jetty to the Murray/Eaton bridge. Cross there and walk back toward the beach.


Main Beach/Cowell Beach
Beach St., Santa Cruz
(831) 429-3747 or (831) 429-3777
Santa Cruz invites sun worshippers to play volleyball or stroll along miles of sandy beach. Beachgoing wheelchair available in summer at Cowell Beach on first-come basis. Open sunrise to sunset.

Santa Cruz Harbor Beach
5th Ave. at East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz
(831) 475-6161
Adjacent to Santa Cruz Harbor. Restaurants. Full service marina. Charter boats. Catamaran beach storage May-October. Beach volleyball. Harbor office open 8:30am-5pm daily.

Lighthouse Field SB

State Beach




Also known as Point Santa Cruz, this area forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay. It is one of the last open headlands in any California urban area. Surfers, tourists, birds - including the rare Black Swift and wintering Monarch butterflies are drawn to this area. Sea lions populate the offshore rocks.

This is one of the places where Monarch butterflies winter along the California coast. Monarchs are unique because they migrate each winter to avoid freezing weather. The Monarchs wintering here, come from the west of the Rocky Mountains. Monarchs east of the Rockies go to central Mexico for the winter.

The lighthouse is home to California's first surfing museum and is the location each Christmas for "Caroling Under the Stars," a Santa Cruz tradition which attracts hundreds of locals and visitors.

The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse at Lighthouse Point on West Cliff Drive. Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting items tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz.

Location - Directions
The beach is on West Cliff Drive in downtown Santa Cruz.

Seasons - Climate - Recommended clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.





A long sandy beach between the Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Harbor. Fire rings are available. Dogs are permitted on leash.


East Cliff Drive at Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Category: Outdoor Activities
Phone: 831-429-2850,
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SEABRIGHT BEACH
in Santa Cruz, between yacht Harbor entrance & River mouth



Seabright Beach (at the foot of Seabright Avenue) is Part of 'Twin Lakes State Beach'.
A popular locals beach (not easily found by tourists). Located between the
San Lorenzo River mouth and the entrance to the Santa Cruz Harbor.
A long sandy beach, good for body surfing, swimming and
skim boarding. Volleyball, evening bonfires and
drum circles are favorite locals pastimes.
It is a top rated a five star beach.
Has a mile of sandy shoreline, popular for swimming and picnicking. A state park beach,
Twin Lakes encompasses what locals call Seabright 'Castle' Beach; Harbor Beach;
and Schwan Lake Beach (all local names). The park’s adjacent Schwan's
lake is a good location for bird watching. The small craft
harbor in Santa Cruz is approximately in the middle
of Twin Lakes State Beach, which extends for
a distance parallel to East Cliff Dr.
Fishing, hiking trails, wildlife
tours and outdoor cafe's
on 'Harbor Beach'
Marine Sanctuary Recreation
SCUBA Diving
Adventure Sports
SCUBA classes, join our dive club through e-groups, kayak diving.
(831) 458-DOIT (3648),
303 Potrero St., Santa Cruz.
www.asudoit.com

Aqua Safaris Scuba Center
SCUBA classes, equipment
rental & sales, dive vacations. (831) 479-4FUN (4368),
6896-A Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. www.aquasafaris.com
Ocean Odyssey Dive Center
SCUBA classes, equipment rental & sales, charter trips.
(831) 475-3483,
860 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. www.oceanodyssey.com


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Sea Kayaking
Kayak Connection
Sea kayak tours, rentals, classes, sales. Beginners welcome!
(831) 479-1121,
413 Lake Ave. at the
Santa Cruz Harbor.
www.kayakconnection.com

Venture Quest Kayaking
Sea kayak tours & rentals from the Santa Cruz Wharf.
(831) 427-2267,
125 Beach St., Santa Cruz.
www.kayaksantacruz.com

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Boating, Fishing & Whale Watching
Capitola Boat and Bait
Small boat rental (16 foot skiffs with 8 HP motor), fishing gear.
(831) 462-2208,
on the Capitola Wharf.

Chardonnay Sailing Charters
70 ft. luxury yacht offers a
regular schedule of Ecology trips, Sunset sails, & more.
(831) 423-1213,
www.chardonnay.com
Pacific Yachting
Sailing School & Charters
Sailing instruction for all levels, charters, corporate team building, tropical sailing vacations.
(831) 423-SAIL (7245),
790 Mariner Pk. Wy., Santa Cruz.
www.pacificsail.com
Park Place Excursions
40 ft. sport fishing pleasure vessel offers private charter trips on the Monterey Bay.
(800) 486-1085,
www.parkplaceexcursions.com
Pleasure Point Charters
Specializing in sport fishing trips
on the Monterey Bay.
(831) 464-3045
Santa Cruz Boat Rentals
Small boat rental (16 foot skiffs with 8 HP motor), fishing gear.
(831) 423-1739,
on the Santa Cruz Wharf.


Santa Cruz Sportfishing
Ocean fishing trips for salmon, rockcod, albacore. Short nature cruises with naturalist.
(831) 426-4690,
www.santacruzsportfishing.com
Shamrock Charters & Fishermans Supply
Monterey Bay Sanctuary tours, sport fishing, whale watching, charters, fishing gear.
(831) 476-2648,
in the Santa Cruz Harbor.
www.scurfslanding.com
Stagnaro Fishing Trips
Monterey Bay Sanctuary tours, sport fishing trips.
(831) 427-2334,
on the Santa Cruz Wharf.
www.stagnaros.com


Surfing Lessons & Surfboard Rental

Arrow Surf Shop
Surfboard rental & sales.
(831) 423-8286,
2324 Mission St., Santa Cruz or (831) 475-8960,
312 Capitola Ave., Capitola.
Club Ed Surf School & Camps
Surfing lessons private & group, surfboard & wetsuit rentals, 7-day surfing camps. Open year round on Cowell Beach, Santa Cruz.
(800) 287-7873,
www.club-ed.com


Cowell’s Beach ‘n Bikini Surf Shop
Surfboard rental, surfing lessons.
(831) 427-2355,
109 Beach St., Santa Cruz.
Freeline Design Surfboards
Surfboard rental & sales.
(831) 476-2950,
821 41st Ave., Capitola.
O’Neill Surf Shop
Surfboard rental & sales.
(831) 475-4151,
1115 41st Ave., Capitola.
www.oneill.com
Richard Schmidt Surf School, Inc.
Santa Cruz’s original surf school.
(831) 423-0928,
www.richardschmidt.com
Santa Cruz Surf Shop
Surfboard rental & sales, surfing lessons.
(831) 464-3233,
753 41st Ave., Capitola.
www.santacruzsurf.com
Shoreline Volley Sports
Surfboard rental.
(831) 458-1380,
125 Beach St., Santa Cruz.
www.shorelinesurf.com

Bicycle Rental
Aptos Bike Trail
Bike rentals & sales.
(831) 688-8650,
7556 Soquel Dr.,
in Aptos Center, Aptos.
Bicycle Rental & Tour Center
Hourly/daily/long-term rentals, tours available.
(831) 426-8687,
131 Center St., Santa Cruz. www.bikeandtour.com

Family Cycling Center
Leisure & mountain bike
rentals & sales.
(800) 590-3883,
912 41st Ave., Capitola. www.familycycling.com
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Historic seaside amusement park. Open daily Memorial Day
to Labor Day, plus most winter weekends.
(831) 426-7433,
www.beachboardwalk.com

Schedule of Activities for Santa Cruz County
Summer Activities and Events
May to October 2001

Sunny, dry weather is perfect for sea kayaking, SCUBA diving, boating and surfing.

Humpback whales and blue whales visit the Marine Sanctuary May through October.

Natural History Museum: 100 Years Old. With its beginnings tracing back to the late 1800s as a showcase for the collections of naturalist Laura Hecox, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, overlooking Seabright Beach, was the city's first public museum. Visitors can learn about native Ohlone Indians, see pelicans, albatross and shearwaters "flying" overhead, and a variety of habitats.

On any given day you can enjoy unsurpassed sea life – whales, sea otters, pelicans, and a variety of marine life abound on the Santa Cruz County coast! The Sanctuary runs along one quarter of the California coastline – from Cambria to just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is the third largest marine protected area in the world, and as large as the state of Connecticut. The Sanctuary protects a diversity of habitats, including wave-swept beaches, lush kelp forests, and the unique Monterey Submarine Canyon, which meanders over 60 miles of seafloor and descends two miles into the oceanic abyss. The National Marine Sanctuary System, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), promotes environmental stewardship and protection of our ocean resources. Harmful activities such as oil drilling and ocean dumping are prohibited in the Sanctuary. Other activities, such as fishing, boating, and diving are allowed.Natural History Museum: 100 Years Old. With its beginnings tracing back to the late 1800s as a showcase for the collections of naturalist Laura Hecox, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, overlooking Seabright Beach, was the city's first public museum. Visitors can learn about native Ohlone Indians, see pelicans, albatross and shearwaters "flying" overhead, and a variety of habitats.