Find the best beaches, and beach lodging in Santa Cruz County, California
Capitola Beach ... Lighthouse Field Beach ... New Brighton Beach ... Pleasure Point Beach
Rio Del Mar ... Seabright ... Twin Lakes Beach
SurfCityLive.com
see local surf legends and profiles.
Capitola Beach
Considered one of California's best 'in-town' beaches. Located in the quaint Village of Capitola
by the Sea, 4 miles South of the town of Santa Cruz. A truly charming coastal community
of ten thousand permanent residents, and the favorite hang for surfers, locals
and tourists from around the world. One of California's oldest seaside
resorts. Along the Esplanade the soft sandy beach is safe for
swimming. It is bordered by outdoor cafes', many good
restaurants, shops and live entertainment.
A good place to learn to surf is
just past the East jetty
and bandstand.
A happening place in Summer! Free live music events, Art & Wine Festival & Begonia Festival.
Personally Recommended lodging
Capitola Suites
"Our favorite little place to stay by the sea", in the very heart of Capitola Village
A lovingly restored historic village compound in the heart of Capitola by the Sea. Four luxury
apartment suites just steps to the all the fine restaurants, outdoor cafes', boutiques
shops, art galleries, live entertainment, beautiful Capitola Beach and Wharf
1/2 block away. Short stroll to many famous surfing spots (including
"The Hook"). These European style luxury apartment suites have
reasonable weekly and monthly rates year around. The
livingroom/dining/kitchen combo has quality
appliances; bedroom with designer
linen; charming patio,
+ security system.
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More Recommended lodging
Inn At Depot Hill
... 
A luxurious Bed and Breakfast Inn a stones throw from the quaint village of Capitola,
and a short stroll to wonderful Capitola Beach and strand. A favorite place
for honeymoons and weekend getaways. Romantic Depot Hill location
overlooking one of California's most famous and
favorite small town beach communities.
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Rio Del Mar Beach
A long sandy beach in the community known as Aptos, california, in Santa Cruz County.
Fire rings, barbecue and picnic area. A popular summer beach
Home to the 'cement boat' a long ago stranded
freighter stands as a landmark!
Complete list of all Santa Cruz County Hotels
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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.
Complete list of all hotels in Santa Cruz County
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Pleasure Point Beach
Santa Cruz County, California
One of the most famous surfing spots in Northern California. Home to Jack O'Neill the
inventor of the wet suit. He still maintains and lives in a house in the
neighborhood. An extremely casual, friendly and beautiful
beach where surfing etiquette got its name!
Easy walk to the village of Capitola
with great cafes', shops,
live entertainment,
& galleries.
Complete list of all hotels in Santa Cruz County
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Lighthouse Field Beach
aka Steamers Lane, the famous surfing Mecca!
Located in the town of Santa Cruz, on scenic West Cliff Drive
Also called Point Santa Cruz. A northern boundary of Monterey Bay. A famous surfing
region, and home to California's first surfing museum. It overlooks the
internationally renowned surfing hot spot know as "Steamers Lane".
The beach is on West Cliff Drive in downtown Santa Cruz.
A rare headlands where Sea Lions populate the
offshore rocks. A splendid place to
watch the surfers and sea life!
Complete list of all hotels in Santa Cruz County
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New Brighton Beach ~ Capitola, California
(Santa Cruz County)
One of California most visited beaches. A large 92 acre park noted for spectacular
views of the Monterey Bay with towering bluffs high above the beach, with
Monterey Cypress, pine, oak & eucalyptus trees. Once the site of
a Chinese fishing village. The beach is the largest beach
in the town of Capitola, a town south of Santa Cruz.
Picnicking, hiking and biking trails. Note the
weather varies from cool misty morning
to hot summer afternoons.
Camping on New Brighton State Beach
Facilities are run by the California State Parks Assn.
Reservations are recommended from mid-March through October;
phone Ca state park at 1-831-464-6329 or 1-831-429-2850.
There are 112 sites for tents or RVs up to 31 feet long. Piped water,
fire grills/picnic tables are provided. Sanitary toilets,
coin-operated showers, propane gas, groceries, and
laundry facilities are available. Pets are
permitted in the campground but not
on the beach. Reservations,
fees: 444-PARK/7275.
Complete list of all hotels in Santa Cruz County.
Twin Lakes 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'
Complete list of all hotels in Santa Cruz County
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