Coast Dairies State Park - Hole-In-The-Wall Beach(Hole in the Wall Beach, Yellowbank)

Located a few miles west of the city of Santa Cruz, Hole-In-The-Wall Beach is named because of its access point, which is basically a natural archway present on the southern cliff-wall of the neighboring Panther Beach which opens up into Hole-In-The-Wall-Beach. The beach has golden sand, formed out of eroded yellow sandstone and the local mudstone found in the local cliffs. Hole-In-The-Wall Beach is situated on a bluff side coastal area of Coast Dairies State Park. The bluff side area where the beach is situated is the result of constant erosion of oceanfront cliffs by the water. The beach area remains mostly secluded and thus is considered to be clothing optional. However, such an act of public indecency is punishable by local authorities.

The beach has no lifeguards and offers no amenities except some walking trails and does not allow pets. The beach is a bit hard to access - you need to climb down a steep hillside path from the Panther Beach parking lot to access the Panther Beach area first, then you can head to Hole-In-The-Wall Beach via a cliff-side passageway. We recommend reviewing a tide chart of the area before visiting the beach since at high tide the access point to the beach can get waterlogged. There is a free parking lot for the beach available along California State Highway 1, near the marked trailhead of Panther Beach. You can access the hillside path to Panther Beach from here. Hole-In-The-Wall Beach offers a variety of exciting activities including sunbathing, wildlife watching, fishing, surfing, kitesurfing, boating, beachcombing, kayaking, canoeing, tide-combing, biking, hiking, and swimming. Although the cliffs around the beach area were the practicing grounds for rock climbing legend Chris Sharma, rock climbing is illegal on the beach as sharp rocks can pose a safety hazard. Moreover, be aware while swimming in the waters here since the rip currents here can often be dangerous. The southern part of the beach area has excellent tidepools. There is a variety of interesting rock formations around the beach area which are worth checking out. The waters here are home to seals, sea lions, and dolphins, and a variety of rare marine birds can also be found here. If you are a biker or like hiking, you can utilize a variety of hiking and biking trails present around the beach area within Coast Dairies Park to explore the farmlands and grasslands present in the park. You can also fish in the designated fishing sites near the beach with a proper fishing permit.

The beach has no lifeguards and offers no amenities except some walking trails and does not allow pets. The beach is a bit hard to access - you need to climb down a steep hillside path from the Panther Beach parking lot to access the Panther Beach area first, then you can head to Hole-In-The-Wall Beach via a cliff-side passageway. We recommend reviewing a tide chart of the area before visiting the beach since at high tide the access point to the beach can get waterlogged. There is a free parking lot for the beach available along California State Highway 1, near the marked trailhead of Panther Beach. You can access the hillside path to Panther Beach from here. Hole-In-The-Wall Beach offers a variety of exciting activities including sunbathing, wildlife watching, fishing, surfing, kitesurfing, boating, beachcombing, kayaking, canoeing, tide-combing, biking, hiking, and swimming. Although the cliffs around the beach area were the practicing grounds for rock climbing legend Chris Sharma, rock climbing is illegal on the beach as sharp rocks can pose a safety hazard. Moreover, be aware while swimming in the waters here since the rip currents here can often be dangerous. The southern part of the beach area has excellent tidepools. There is a variety of interesting rock formations around the beach area which are worth checking out. The waters here are home to seals, sea lions, and dolphins, and a variety of rare marine birds can also be found here. If you are a biker or like hiking, you can utilize a variety of hiking and biking trails present around the beach area within Coast Dairies Park to explore the farmlands and grasslands present in the park. You can also fish in the designated fishing sites near the beach with a proper fishing permit.

If you're looking for a restaurant, VIM Dining and Desserts offers New American Cuisine with an Italian twist along with a variety of cocktails and desserts. A family-friendly dining option is The Saturn Cafe which has excellent vegan options along with delicious breakfast dishes and burgers. Another affordable option is Charlie Hong Kong, which is 16 minutes away and serves finger-licking fusion Asian dishes including succulent pad thai and baked tofu.

If you are looking for a hotel near Hole-In-The-Wall- Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Monarch Cove Inn is 24 minutes away, is set near a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, and offers deluxe rooms furnished with vintage embellishments. A more affordable option is the 3-Star Four Points by Sheraton Santa Cruz Scotts Valley, a hotel that is 23 minutes away and has well-furnished rooms and featuring various amenities including an in-house restaurant and bar and a gym. The Sunny Cove Motel Apartments is situated 20 minutes away and is a great option for budget accommodations.