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Natural Bridges is located just west of Santa Cruz. The park features hugh rock formation arches that rise from the ocean. A very large sandy beach, tidepools and coastal meadows are other natural features. Park amenities include picnic areas, restrooms, barbeques and a visitor center. From mid-October through February, over 100,000 Monarch butterflies make their home in the Monarch butterfly preserve that is located in the park.
TIP: Want to try surfing? Go to a pier where there are lifeguards or try a surf school like Santa Cruz Surf School.
Natural Bridges State Beach
Swanton Blvd. & W. Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-4609
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Moss Landing is located between Santa Cruz and Monterey. This beach offers long stretches of sandy beach and sand dunes. Activities include fishing, surfing, wind surfing and horseback riding.
WARNING: rip currents are strong here and swimming is not advised.
Moss Landing
Watsonville, California 95076
(831) 649-2836
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Monterey State Beach is located along the northern side of beautiful Monterey, just past Fisherman's Wharf. The park is split into 3 sections and includes a long sand beach, sand dunes and an underwater preserve. Activities include swimming, fishing, boating, volleyball, hiking, kayaking, diving and snorkeling. Check out our Cool Towns page for more details on Monterey.
Monterey
Del Monte Avenue at Park Avenue
Monterey, California 93940
(831) 649-2836
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Fisherman's Shoreline Park - Monterey is located off Lighthouse Avenue between Fisherman's Wharf and the Coast Guard Pier. The park features a turf area and rocky coastline with views of the harbor.
Fisherman's Shoreline Park
Lighthouse Avenue
Monterey, California 93940
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San Carlos Beach - Monterey is located at the intersection of Reeside Avenue and Cannery Row. This coastline park features turf areas, walkways, benches, vista points and restrooms. This is a popular launch point for kayakers and divers.
San Carlos Beach
Reeside Avenue
Monterey, California 93940
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Monterey Bay Waterfront Parks - Monterey are located along the rugged western shores of Monterey and Pacific Grove. Several parks from Andy Jacobsen to Hays Perkins are stretched along the entire Monterey coastline and accessible from Ocean View Boulevard. Included within these are Lover's Point and the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Park. Walking trails connect all the parks along an almost 2-mile distance. View coastal gardens, tidepools, kelp forests and sea otters at play.
Monterey Bay Waterfront Parks
Ocean View Boulevard
Monterey, California 93940
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17-Mile Drive is located between Pacific Grove and Carmel. This scenic drive follows a picturesque coastline with parking and markers at unique or especially photographic points. Pass through neighborhoods of palacial mansions and alongside some of the most sought after golf courses in the world. The 'Lone Cypress' is one of the most photographed trees in the world and can be found along this stretch. Stop at one of many picnic areas conveniently situated on bluffs above wide sandy beaches. Take your time and make a day out of it by watching otters play in the kelp or trying to spot whale spouts as they migrate between Mexico and Alaska. At the time of this writing in 2009, a $10 fee is charged for access to 17-Mile Drive.
17-Mile Drive
Carmel, California 93921
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Carmel City Beach is located at the end of Ocean Avenue in Carmel. This beach offers stretches of sandy beach and secluded coves among native cypress trees. Scenic Drive follows the shoreline and ends to the south at Carmel River State Beach. Dogs and fires are allowed on the southern portion of the city beach. Activities include nature walks, surfing, kite flying, picnicking and sunbathing. Contact South Bay Surf Riders for surfboard & wetsuit rentals and lessons.
TIP: We find Scenic Drive to be just as enjoyable and far less crowded than the popular 17-Mile Drive along the coast north of Carmel
Scenic Drive
Carmel, California 93923
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Carmel River State Beach is located south of Carmel off Highway 1. This huge sandy beach is usually one of the least crowded in the region. White sand stretches for a mile between Carmel and the headlands of Point Lobos State Park. The Carmel River forms a large estuary before emptying into the sea. Many species of waterfowl can be found here. At the southern end of the beach are Monastery and San Jose Creek beaches that are popular with scuba divers. No dogs or barbeques are allowed on the beach.
Carmel River State Beach
Carmel, California 93923
(831) 649-2836
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William R. Hearst is located near the entrance of Hearst Castle. This is a classic, Northern California, picturesque coast of sand beach dotted with rocky outcroppings. There is a pier that provides opportunities for deep-sea fishing from charter boats. Activities include swimming, fishing, kayaking, sunbathing and picnicking with bar-b-que grills provided. A concession stand rents equipment like body boards and kayaks.
William R. Hearst State Beach
750 Hearst Castle Road
San Simeon, California 93452
(805) 927-2020
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San Simeon is located south of Hearst Castle and offers long sandy beaches below coastal bluffs. Trails along the bluffs offer expansive coastal views and viewing benches are placed at key locations. Several campgrounds are within convenient proximity to the beach.
San Simeon State Beach
Van Gordon Creek Road & San Simeon Creek Road
Cambria, California 93428
(805) 927-2020
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Moonstone Beach is located along Moonstone Drive off Highway 1, in Cambria. This beach is popular for surfing, kayaking, and sightseeing. Boardwalks serpentine the bluffs above the beach and stretch for nearly a mile. At the northern end is a park offering picnic facilities among the shade of Cypress trees. The southern portion ends at a large sand beach dotted with driftwood. Hotels, inns and restaurants line Moonstone Drive making it a popular destination for romantics.
Moonstone Beach
Moonstone Drive
Cambria, California 93428
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Cayucos is located north of Morro Bay on Highway 1. This beach is known for its great surf and features a large sandy beach with a playground and public facilities. The Cayucos Pier is popular for fishing.
Cayucos Beach
Cayucos, California 93430
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Morro Strand is located north of Morro Bay. It is a three mile stretch of wide, sandy beach popular for fishing, windsurfing, jogging, and kite flying. Outstanding views of Morro Rock and Montaña de Oro State Park.
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Bay, California 93442
(805) 772-2560
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Avila Beach is located just south of San Luis Obispo off Highway 1. A large sandy beach covers a small portion of the crescent shaped San Luis Obispo Bay and is split by Avila Pier. This quaint community was literally destroyed by an oil spill in 1998 but is almost completely rebuilt. Biking & hiking trails, golf courses, tidepools and natural hot springs are local attractions. This quaint community offers resorts, hotels, shops and restaurants.
WARNING: A local woman was killed in 2003 when she was attacked by a Great White Shark in San Luis Obispo Bay. Most tourists only enter the water to their knees after learning of this.
Avila Beach
Avila Beach, California 93424
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Pismo Beach is located just south of Avila Beach off Highway 1. Pismo Beach is a great place for driving off-road vehicles or horseback riding in the sand. A wide, flat sand beach makes it ideal for clamming Pismo clams. Beach camping is made luxurious by the many close-by restaurants and shops. A pier provides fishing, surfing and sightseeing opportunities.
Pismo Beach State Park
555 Pier Avenue
Oceano, California 93445
(805) 489-2684
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Gaviota is located west of Santa Barbara off Highway 101. This park offers a small sandy beach with a pier, rocky shoreline and a large inland park for hiking and exploration. A picturesque train trestle connects the bluffs above and towers over the beach. Camping, surfing, scuba diving and fishing are common activities.
Gaviota State Park
Lompoc, California 93436
(805) 968-1033
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Refugio is 20-miles west of Santa Barbara off Highway 101. Refugio offers large sandy beaches, camping, picnicking facilities, a park and more. This is a popular swimming, picnicking and fishing beach. A bike trail connects Refugio to El Capitan State Beach to the east.
Refugio State Beach
10 Refugio Beach Road
Goleta, California 93117
(805) 968-1033
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El Capitan is west of Santa Barbara off Highway 101. This is a very popular beach for camping. Camping is offered among sycamore trees beside a creek flowing to the ocean and on the bluff overlooking the ocean. Stairways descend to the beach. The beach is a long stretch of sand with tidepools and boulders at either end. A bike trail connects El Capitan to Refugio State Beach to the west.
El Capitan State Beach
10 Refugio Beach Road
Goleta, California 93117
(805) 968-1033
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Goleta is located just west of Santa Barbara off Highway 101 and is a favorite with Santa Barbaran locals. Many activities are offered including volleyball, picnicking and fishing from the pier. Adjacent restaurants and shops make it a great place for group events.
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East & West Beaches are located in Santa Barbara at the end of State Street and are very popular. Crowds can create parking difficulties in the summer months but these beaches have everything including a wide sandy beach. Restaurants, shops and a city zoo are some of the nearby attractions. Stearns Wharf offers an aquarium, restaurants, touristy shops and opportunities for fishing, sightseeing tours and parasailing.
Want to try surfing? Go to a pier where there are lifeguards or try a surf school like Santa Barbara Surf School.
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Carpinteria is located south-east of Santa Barbara and offers a long sandy beach and tidepools. Camping, swimming, surfing and tidepool exploration are popular activities.
Carpinteria State Beach
5361 6th Street
Carpinteria, California 93013
(805) 968-1033
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Ventura is located between the Los Angeles and the Central Coast regions of California. Ventura is a mix of rocky coves backed by cliffs, wide open sand beaches and a harbor. The northern portion offers rugged coast with classic surf breaks like 'Rincon' and 'Stables'. At the heart of Ventura is the harbor, which offers a quaint seaside village, sport fishing opportunities, boat rentals, whale watching expeditions, shopping, dining and accommodations. Surrounding the harbor are several state beaches with large white sand beaches offering bike paths, public restrooms; some providing camping and picnicking options.
Emma Wood State Beach is popular with RV campers and surfers. This thin stretch of sandy beach is north of Ventura Harbor and directly off PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). Reservations are required through the State Parks website for camping. San Buenaventura State Beach is located at the northern end of Ventura Harbor and offers a wide 2 mile stretch of sandy beach, sand dunes, picnic facilities and a pier. Conveniences like public restrooms, a concession stand, equipment rental shops and a bait shop on the pier are available.
Ventura
Ventura, California 93001
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Oxnard is located between Ventura and the Los Angeles County border. Known best for its harbors, Oxnard also offers miles of wide sandy beaches and estuaries to the south. The harbor offers sport fishing opportunities, boat rentals, whale watching expeditions, shopping, dining and accommodations. At the southern end of Oxnard is Port Hueneme, which offers a lighthouse, moderate-sized sandy beach and a pier that's good for fishing, surfing and whale watching. McGrath State Beach is located in the northern portion of Oxnard. This beach is part estuary, sand dunes and wide sandy beach. Tent and RV camping are available at the beach.
WARNING: This is not a good beach for swimmers due to strong rip currents.
Oxnard
Oxnard, California 93030
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