Lighthouse Field State Beach

Located in the Westside area of the city of Santa Cruz, Lighthouse Field State Beach is actually the name of a state park managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation and is situated adjacent to two bluff side beaches. The state park is comprised of two major parts. The northern portion of Lighthouse Field State Beach is a large grassy walking park, one of the last open oceanside forelands in urban California, that is situated in the north of West Cliff Drive. The southern portion is a rocky sandstone blufftop area which is called the Lighthouse Point (also known as Point Santa Cruz) as it features Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum – and is also has a paved esplanade running to its west which is popular with bikers.

There are two beaches adjacent to Lighthouse Field State Beach - one is located to its south just across West Cliff drive and is known as Its Beach and another is situated east of the state park and is called Steamer Lane. The park and the adjoining beaches usually don’t have any lifeguards, although Steamer Lane often sees lifeguard deployment during high surf conditions. However, the park and the beaches have many amenities including showers, restrooms, walking trails, picnicking areas, and drinking fountains, and also allow pets on a leash. The park and the beaches are easy to access - they are located at 701 West Cliff Drive. There are a number of free parking lots along West Cliff Drive and Lighthouse Point, from where you can access the state park and the stairs leading down to the adjacent bluff side beaches.

The park and the two adjacent beaches offer numerous activities including hiking, biking, wildlife watching, picnicking, swimming, surfing, beachcombing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, sunbathing, beach-walking, kiteboarding, and bodysurfing. The grassy park in the northern part of the state park also has a number of trails and often has grassy meadows and groves of Monterey cypress trees. The Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse building, which is in the southern end of the state park, also houses Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is the first of its kind in California and offers interactive exhibits, artifacts, and pictures detailing the 125-year-old history of surfing in Santa Cruz.

The waters around Lighthouse Field State Beach are home to otters, seals, sea lions, migrating whales, and dolphins, while the grassy park area is home to monarch butterflies which migrate here annually between mid-October to February seeking shelter from the cold. Several rare birds can be found in the grassy park area of the state park including the black swift. Every Christmas, Lighthouse Field State Beach also "Caroling Under The Stars" which is a quite popular local event.

Beach access to the adjacent Its Beach and Steamer Lane is just a short walk away from Lighthouse Field State Beach across West Cliff Drive, from where you can access these two beach areas through carved paths and stairs located along the bluff side. Steamer Lane is a high-octane surfing spot that is popular among surfers for its thrilling waves and also features a surfer’s memorial dedicated to victims of surfing accidents. Its Beach has a sandier terrain compared to Steamer Lane and has a natural sandstone arch and a number of other rock formations which can be explored.

The water around Its Beach and Steamer Lane offers sharp waves which can be fun for surfers but is often dangerous – this area is known as the "Toilet Ball) due to extreme water currents in the cove below Lighthouse Point between Steamer Lane and Its Beach that has been occasionally been fatal for swimmers. If you are planning to swim or surf, we recommend reviewing the water conditions here before going in or alternatively head further east to Cowell’s Beach. Attractions near Lighthouse Field State Beach include the Santa Cruz Wharf, which is a great spot for pier fishing and houses souvenir shops and restaurants. The nearby Santa Cruz Boardwalk Amusement Park also has exciting rides and a gaming arcade.

If you're looking for a restaurant, Restaurant Avanti offers a high-end Italian fine dining experience and is known for delicious pasta which is served with refreshing cocktails and excellent wines. A great family-friendly dining option is Riva Fish House, which serves great seafood dishes, features an oceanfront dining area, and offers a kid’s special menu. The modestly priced Las Palmas Tacos Bar offers great burritos and enchiladas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Lighthouse Field State Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Chaminade Resort & Spa is set in the Santa Cruz Mountains and offers luxurious suites and features many amenities including an in-house restaurant and bar, a pool, spa, and a tennis court. A more affordable option is the 3-Star Redwood Croft, which is 24 minutes away – it's set in the idyllic California Redwoods and offers well-furnished rooms. The modestly priced 2-Star Ramada Limited Santa Cruz is another good option.