New Brighton State Beach(China Beach)

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. 

New Brighton State Beach is a dog-friendly beach and offers many amenities including lifeguards during summers, restrooms, fire pits, picnic tables, and a paid hillside campground.

There are many fun activities at New Brighton State Beach including swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking, camping, and beach walking – but be careful as the beach is very narrow and rocky on the north side.

Getting to New Brighton State Beach is easy – after you get off of Highway 1, take the Park Avenue exit, and head towards the water to reach the park’s paid parking lot near 1500 Park Avenue. You can walk a few yards from the lot to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near New Brighton State Beach, you can drive 10-minutes to Adventure Sports Unlimited that offers many underwater courses including swimming, scuba diving, diving, and snorkeling. The gravity-defying Mystery Spot is among the most prominent illusion-based tourist attractions – visitors can experience demonstrations that disobey gravity inside a wooden building and while walking up a steep hill here. Bigfoot Discovery Museum is devoted to an American folklore ape-like creature Bigfoot and features tchotchkes from the 1970s Bigfoot boom and the 1980s resurrection with Harry and the Hendersons memorabilia. Another great attraction near New Brighton State Beach is Monterey Bay Aquarium that is home to many incredible sea creatures including jellyfish, great white sharks, captive killer whales, rockfishes, African penguins, and the Pacific Sea nettles.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within an eight-minute drive of New Brighton State Beach. The upscale Severino's Bar & Grill features American and International cuisines and a patio with a koi pond and live jazz. Manuel's Mexican Restaurant is a small vegetarian-friendly oceanfront restaurant featuring traditional and authentic Mexican items like enchiladas, tamales, tacos, nachos, and margaritas. Another great restaurant near New Brighton State Beach is Hong Kong Garden that offers Chinese and Asian food.

If you are looking for a hotel near New Brighton State Beach, you can drive 12-minutes to the upscale 4-Star hotel Seascape Beach Resort that offers many amenities including a pool, bar, sauna, spa, restaurant, golf course, tennis court, and fitness center. Best Western Seacliff Inn is a 3-Star hotel that was awarded the Travellers’ Choice 2020 Award by Tripadvisor. If you are looking for an affordable hotel near New Brighton State Beach, the 2-Star Rio Sands Hotel has a pool and kids club.