Beaches and Redwoods: 10 Spectacular State Parks to Visit in Santa Cruz, California

All of the state parks have a $10 parking fee, or you can park using your State Park Pass.

Beaches:

New Brighton State Beach - This is our favorite beach to walk on. There is easy access from the large public parking lot. Come here at low tide and search for sea glass, especially after a storm or large swell. Don’t take your eyes off the ocean for too long - you are sure to spot seals, otters, dolphins and even whales at the right time of year.

Manresa State Beach - This is a great beach to hang out for the entire day. A good beach for surfing or boogie boarding, but be careful for strong currents when the waves are larger. There aren’t any restaurants around, so plan on packing a picnic to enjoy as long as you can!

Natural Bridges State Beach - A beautiful beach with plenty of sand and easy parking. This beach is also famous for the Monarch Butterfly habitat during the Fall, so be sure to explore the eucalyptus groves behind the beach if you are here during butterfly season.

Twin Lakes State Beach - A very popular beach with locals and tourists. The beach is large, and the location makes it a perfect place to combine with a trip to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. There are good and easy food options right on the beach, so don’t worry about packing food for the day if you want an easier outing.

Moss Landing State Beach - In my opinion the most beautiful beach in the area. Technically not in Santa Cruz, it is about a 20-minute drive south. Free parking on the entrance road, and easy access on the path over the dunes. This is a popular spot for surfing and fishing, and you can walk for miles searching for shells and other interesting beach finds.

Wilder Ranch State Park - There is so much to do at this park! When our kids were young, they would spend hours playing in the aloe plant forts by the historic buildings. There are miles of trails, both coastal and in the hills. Many trails are open to mountain biking, while along the coast you can access a number of hidden beaches. This park is worth a visit for at least one day, more if you have the time.

Ano Nuevo State Park - Ano Nueovo is famous for being a seasonal breeding ground for Elephant Seals. If you are visiting during viewing seasons, it is definitely worth a visit. The beach here is also very beautiful, with miles of open sand and driftwood to explore.

Redwoods:

NIsene Marks State Park - Nisense Marks has an amazing network of hiking and biking trails through coastal Redwood Forests. Our favorite hike is to Maple Falls which is flowing year round, but at its most spectacular in the rainy winter season. There are so many beautiful trails here you could easily spend multiple days exploring.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Another great place to experience Redwoods. Henry Cowell is inland a few miles, and is famous for some incredibly large examples of old growth Redwoods. Make sure to take the loop trail to learn about the history and ecosystem of the park.

Big Basin Redwood State Park - This is our favorite park to explore Redwood trails, with miles of remote forest and beautiful mountain streams and waterfalls. Unfortunately, wildfires tore through much of the park in 2020, causing the park to close for a few years. Now the park has reopened on a limited basis, but if you are able to make a reservation it is well worth a visit to experience the resilience of the amazing Redwood ecosystem.

Day trips

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Point Lobos is about an hour drive south of Santa Cruz. The drive itself is worth the trip, as you hug the coast of Monterey Bay and pass by the picturesque town of Carmel (also a worthy stop if you have time). There is a network of trails through the reserve covering a surprisingly diverse range of ecosystems. I recommend hiking the loop trail around the entire reserve so you can see it all. Because of the drive and the size of the reserve, this trip deserves at least a half day and possibly longer to explore. If you are planning a full day, make sure to pack food as there is nothing within walking distance once you are in the park. There are many lovely places to have a picnic, so I highly recommend planning on that option.

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park - Driving north of town on Highway 1, you can find dozens of amazing beaches to enjoy. About an hour north of town you will find the historic Pigeon Point Light Station. The station itself is a quick visit, so the real magic to this trip is the drive and stops on the way up and back. If you find yourself needing a snack or a pick me up, consider stopping at the Whale City Bakery in the tiny town of Davenport for some coffee and treats. Another local gem is the gift and snack area of the Swanton Berry Farmstand. During Strawberry season in the summer months they have pre-picked or pick-your-own berries. You will also find some delicious baked goods, farm produced jams, and the must try strawberry cider. It is a cozy place to spend an hour or two.

Crow’s Nest: The Crow’s nest is an iconic local restaurant. Located right on the beach and the harbor, it’s a great place to go for lunch or a special occasion dinner. There is casual dining in the bar upstairs, with great ocean views, and more upscale dining downstairs. One of our favorite places to eat, and always one we recommend to friends from out of town.

Alderwood: This is a newer restaurant in downtown Santa Cruz. Definitely on the pricey side, but hands down the best steak you will find anywhere in town. They also have a great happy hour burger and beer special which makes it an affordable option as well.

Cafe Cruz: Our go to restaurants for special occasions. From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but inside has great ambience and amazing food. My favorites are the ribs or skirt steak pasta, but I’ve tried almost everything and loved it all.

Taqueria Vallarta: Santa Cruz has a lot of taqueria’s, and I can’t claim to have tried them all. I happen to love Mexican food, and Taqueria Vallarta is my go to spot. They have a few locations in town, the food is consistently delicious and service is speedy.

Shadowbrook: Santa Cruz doesn’t have many fine dining restaurants - Shadowbrook is the best in terms of romantic ambience. There are more casual options in the the atrium bar area, but for a celebratory dinner the dining room is a great place to go.

Pono Hawaiian Grill: Pono serves up traditional Hawaiian food - pulled pork, BBQ chicken, mac salad, etc. They have a great menu selection of poke bowls, my personal favorite. There are two locations in town making it easy to enjoy some great local food.

Pizza My Heart: This pizza chain can be found around the San Francisco Bay Area, but it all started in Santa Cruz. People have strong opinions about Pizza, but Pizza My Heart is my favorite. You can order by the slice for a quick meal, or get whole pies to dine in, take to go, or have delivered. They have a creative menu of pizza options so you will need to go a few times to sample them all.

Copal: Located on the West Side of Santa cruz, Copal serves traditional Oaxacan food that you won’t find in many restaurants. They also have an impressive selection of Mezcal. Overall this is a unique cultural experience to go along with a delicious meal.

Phil’s Fish Market: If you find yourself south of Santa Cruz in Moss Landing, you can’t skip a visit to Phil’s Fish Market. When we first started going there it was mainly a seafood market selling some food including their legendary clam chowder. The restaurant has since expanded into more modern facilities, but the chowder in a bread bowl is still an experience no one should miss.

Betty Burger: Betty Burger is my favorite burger place in town. With a few locations across town, you should have no problem getting here after a long hike or a day on the beach. Make sure you get a milkshake, they are amazing!