Santa Cruz sits on the north end of Monterey Bay, about 75 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles northwest of Monterey. The city has 29 miles of coastline, but the beaches vary a lot in surf conditions, access, and what they're actually good for. This guide covers 6 of the best beaches in Santa Cruz, California, using ratings and review data from BeachCheck.
Seabright Beach
Seabright Beach sits at 4.6 stars across 1,961 reviews, making it one of the most-reviewed beaches in the Santa Cruz area. It stretches about a mile along the east side of the San Lorenzo River mouth, protected from the main surf break by the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor breakwater.
The harbor jetty blocks most ocean swell, so the water here is calmer than the main city beach. That makes it a reasonable choice for families with young kids, though it is not a swim beach in the same sense as Santa Monica or Coronado. Water temps in Santa Cruz run cold year-round (typically 54-58°F), and rip currents are possible near the river mouth.
Parking is on East Cliff Drive. The lot fills by late morning on summer weekends. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from 10am to 5pm in summer.
Santa Cruz Beach
Santa Cruz Beach (also called Main Beach or the Boardwalk Beach) rates 4.5 stars from 1,474 reviews. It is the busiest beach in town, directly in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park.
The Boardwalk is open daily in summer and on weekends year-round. The Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster has been running since 1924. If you are not interested in the amusement park, this beach gets crowded and loud on warm days. Parking in the Boardwalk lots runs $15-25 depending on season.
The surf here is consistent and mellow enough for beginners. Lifeguards are on duty in summer. Water access is easier than at many Santa Cruz beaches because there is no rocky section to navigate.
Mitchell's Cove Beach
Mitchell's Cove Beach rates 4.5 stars across 969 reviews. It is a small, quiet beach in the West Side neighborhood, tucked between two rocky points on Gharkey Street.
The cove offers some wave protection compared to the open-ocean beaches, and the neighborhood setting means far fewer visitors than Main Beach or Seabright. Street parking is free. There are no facilities. The beach is short (maybe 100 yards of sand) and disappears at high tide, so check the tide charts before making the drive.
Dogs are allowed year-round in this area of the coast. It is one of the few Santa Cruz beaches where you can reliably bring a dog on a summer afternoon without restriction.
Capitola Beach
Capitola Beach is in the village of Capitola, about 4 miles southeast of downtown Santa Cruz. It rates 4.6 stars across 816 reviews.
Capitola Village has a walkable downtown with restaurants and shops a few steps from the sand. The beach itself sits at the mouth of Soquel Creek, which is small and shallow in summer. On calm days the creek forms a shallow lagoon that works well for young kids.
Parking in Capitola is the main headache: the public lot on Capitola Avenue fills by 10am on summer weekends and charges $3 per hour. Arriving before 9am or on a weekday afternoon significantly improves your chances.
Monterey State Beach
Monterey State Beach is technically in Monterey, 35 miles south of Santa Cruz, but it is worth including if you are driving the Monterey Bay area. It rates 4.6 stars from 1,256 reviews.
The beach runs along Del Monte Avenue near downtown Monterey. Unlike the rocky coves that dominate the Monterey Peninsula, this is a sandy stretch with easy access. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available nearby. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is about 2 miles away.
Water visibility in Monterey Bay is generally better than in Santa Cruz, which attracts divers. The Monterey Maritime Museum is walking distance for a dry-weather alternative.
Cowell Beach
Cowell Beach sits adjacent to the Santa Cruz Wharf and rates 4.3 stars from 45 reviews. That lower review count reflects a smaller, less-visited spot rather than a problem with the beach itself.
Cowell is Santa Cruz's main beginner surf beach. Several surf schools operate out of here, and the break is mellow enough for first-timers during normal conditions. Gear rental is available on the beach in summer. The Santa Cruz Wharf, which extends about 2,000 feet into the bay, is a short walk for anyone who wants a break from the sand.
The beach is narrow and fills quickly on busy days. It is not the place to set up a large umbrella setup. For swimming and lounging, Seabright or Capitola are better choices.
For a full list of Santa Cruz area beaches with current conditions, visit BeachCheck's California beach directory.