Natural Bridges State Beach
Location: Santa Cruz County, CA
Features: This spot is best for experienced surfers. During the week, it’s not very crowded at all. There are very few surfers out on the water. On the weekend, it can get quite crowded. Some of the dangers here include sharks, rocks, and urchins. Access is pretty easy, and there are three spots to get access to the park/area.
Beach: It is located in Santa Cruz, and it is a short walk (5-15 minutes). There is free parking on Swanton, and it can save you some time on walking. If you’re feeling like an adventure, you can always park at the Marine Lab and then make your way on down the cliff. You need to be wearing some good shoes because the short walk to the beach can be a little rough. It is a great place to bring your children. You should be sure to wear tough booties or shoes with traction because the ground underneath can be tough, and the rocks can be slippery. There are even poisonous mussels out here. There are small crabs that run in and out of cracks and crevices. Your children will have a great time exploring at this locale.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Adventure Hacks
1) Pack a picnic basket
You can set up a picnic in one of the picnic tables or gathering spots in Natural Bridges.
2) Watch for Monarch Butterflies
This spot is famous for migrating Monarch Butterflies! The best time to look out for monarchs in the park is from mid-October to late January.
3) Keep your things in a Dry Sack
Since you want to go to the beach, you keep your things from getting wet by sealing them in a dry sack.
