Mitchell's Cove Beach

Located in the southern portion of Westside Santa Cruz, Mitchell’s Cove Beach is a bluff side beach situated along West Cliff Drive. The beach area sees large tides and currents throughout the day and usually, there is rarely dry sand on the beach. The beach area is almost inaccessible during high tide. There are several interesting rock formations on the beach including a monolith looking out to the Pacific Ocean. The bluff side areas along the beach are fixed into place with boulder embankments to ensure that they don’t get eroded away during storms. The beach doesn't have lifeguards, showers, or concession stands, but it does have a few restrooms. The beach area is pet-friendly - it allows dogs without leash between 10 am to 4 pm.

Mitchell’s Cove Beach offers a large variety of activities including sunbathing, beach walking, surfing, canoeing kayaking, paddleboarding, bodyboarding, wildlife watching, tide pooling, beachcombing, snorkeling, and swimming. The water here is famous for providing big waves for surfers. However, kindly be vary of the strong water currents while surfing. We recommend visiting the beach during low tide in order to enjoy the sandy area of the beach properly. You can check out the rock formations present around the beach, which offer some interesting tidepools. You can also comb the beach for shells, and also look out for migrating grey whales in the water. In early Spring, the beach area might smell foul due to the marine vegetation washed up on the beach, although the Santa Cruz administration takes care to clean this mess up before the main tourist season for the beach. Other attractions near the beach area include Sergeant Darby Park, which is situated a short drive away and offers access to a playground, swings, tennis courts, and a golf course. You can also head to the nearby Natural Bridges State Beach area, which features a Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve.

The beach is easily accessible - simply drive to the intersection between West Cliff Drive and David Way to access the beach entrance. It is a free parking lot available on West Cliff Drive, and from where you can access the beach via a flight of stairs.

Other attractions near the beach area include Sergeant Darby Park, which is situated a short drive away and offers access to a playground, swings, tennis courts, and a golf course. You can also head to the nearby Natural Bridges State Beach area, which features a Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve.

If you're looking for a restaurant, Hula’s Island Grill which is located a short drive away and combines Tiki Bar experience with a quintessential California twist and is renowned for its fusion seafood dishes. Sawasdee By The Sea is a great family-friendly budget option and is famous for its Thai curries and fried rice. Another great option is the Laili Restaurant, which offers a memorable Mediterranean and South Asian-themed dining experience.

If you are looking for a hotel near Mitchell’s Cove, there are many great nearby options. The 3-Star Babbling Brook Inn offers deluxe rooms at good prices. The 3-Star trendy Pacific Blue Inn is a bread and breakfast that has artwork-adorned rooms and is located close to some of the best restaurants and attractions in Santa Cruz. Another budget-friendly option is Super 8 by Wyndham Santa Cruz / Beach Boardwalk East.