Best LGBTQ Beaches in Capitola

Located at the eastern end of Santa Cruz county, Pleasure Point Park is a county park situated on a bluff overlooking Monterey Bay. The park has a set of stairs that provide access to a narrow strip of beach area present below the bluff. The beach area gets almost completely submerged during high tide and barely has any dry sand. The beach is popular among surfers, along with other beaches in the Pleasure Point neighborhood (in which the park is situated) as the waters here produce ideal surfing conditions. 

Located in the city of Capitola, New Brighton State Beach is a half-a-mile long and wide beach that is a part of the New Brighton State Beach park. Also known as China Beach, New Brighton State Beach is situated east of Soquel Cove making it a perfect destination for families because of its calm and shallow waters. 

Located in the Opal Cliffs neighborhood of Santa Cruz County, Privates Beach is a narrow strip of beach area situated below a bluff-top park called the Opal Cliffs Park. The beach has light brown sand, which rarely stays dry due to constant contact with water during advancing tides. The bluff side shoreline has been fixed with boulder embankments to prevent erosion. A portion of the beach allows clothing optional visitors, which is how the beach got its name. For a long time the beach was the subject of a legal battle between the local resident’s association Opal Cliffs Recreation District and the California Coastal Commission – the local resident’s association Opal Cliffs Recreation District closed public access to the beach and demanded a whopping $100 entry fees. The beach is currently open to all during the daytime, while it is closed off during the night to ensure the safety of local residents. The beach area is accessible from the park via a flight of wooden stairs present near the park area. The beach and the adjoining park have no lifeguard or any other amenities except some sitting areas. The beach allows pets on leash, although they are forbidden on weekends and national holidays. 

Located in the Opal Cliffs neighborhood in the eastern part of Santa Cruz County, The Hook is a narrow strip of beach area that is extremely popular with surfers across California and the United States for its excellent surfing environment. In 1885, Santa Cruz became the first place in the US mainland where people surfed – and the Hook sees a lot of surfing enthusiasts throughout the year participate in some high octane surfing action. The beach area is located near a bluff-top entrance and has brown-colored sand, which is always wet due to contact with water due to advancing tide. If you want a more sandy area head west around the bluff through the beach to access another beach area that is drier.