Santa Cruz Beach

Located in the southern end of the city of Santa Cruz and to the east of Cowell Beach, the Santa Cruz Main Beach is one of the major beaches present in the city of Santa Cruz. The beach is also called Boardwalk Beach as it is home to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park. The beach area has light brown sand. The beach is one of the most popular beaches in California and is crowded with visitors all year. The terrain here is unique – the San Lorenzo River meets the ocean on the eastern side of the beach area and sometimes forms a lagoon here, and there’s a natural rock wall on the eastern part of the beach that extends into the ocean.

The beach area offers a number of amenities including lifeguards, concession stands, showers, restrooms, and sitting areas. Although it does not allow pets, the beach offers access to people with disabilities. The beach is located at 399 Beach Street and is easy to access from there. You can park at the paid parking lot for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park and walk to the beach from there.

Santa Cruz Main Beach offers a variety of fun activities including surfing, boating, paddleboarding, bodyboarding, surf-skimming, swimming, fishing, kitesurfing, beachcombing, sunbathing volleyball, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife watching, and snorkeling. The water near the beach area has gentle waves, making it an ideal experience for beginner surfers. However, we recommend reviewing the water quality near the beach before heading out for a swim, as the water here is often dirty and ridden with marine vegetation. The beach has several volleyball courts and an annual local volleyball tournament is also organized here.

The beach also has two major iconic landmarks - the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park and The Santa Cruz Wharf. Built in 1907, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California’s oldest surviving amusement park and two of its many exciting rides are considered as National Historic Landmarks by the US government. There is also a huge arcade featuring a variety of modern and classic video games (including pinball) and a minigolf course and a bowling alley. The amusement park also features splendid restaurants and also organizes drive-in movie screenings.

Another iconic landmark present on the western part of the beach is the Santa Cruz Wharf, which is more than 2,700 feet long and houses a variety of gift shops, rentals, and restaurants. The California Wharf offers a great opportunity for pier fishing and also has telescopes to view dolphins, otters, seals, and migrating whales. While several events are organized on the wharf area throughout the year, a major one is the annual Aloha Outrigger Races and Polynesian Festival, organized in the months of August and September every year. The festival has outrigger canoe races, Polynesian music, and dance performances organized every year in the area near the wharf. If you are a surfing expert or enthusiast, further west of Santa Cruz Main Beach lies the Steamer Lane which is known for providing dangerous yet thrilling waves. You can also go to the nearby Lighthouse Field State Beach which houses the Santa Cruz Lighthouse and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.

If you're looking for a restaurant, Barceloneta is a high-end Spanish tapas bar offering a variety of delicious dishes including pasta, bravas, paellas, pinchos, and morunos – as well as a variety of excellent cocktails. Another family-friendly option is The Picnic Basket, which offers a range of delicious sandwiches made from farm-fresh ingredients and delectable burritos. The friendly Woodies Cafe provides a great budget dining experience.

If you are looking for a hotel near Santa Cruz Main Beach, there are many great nearby options. West Cliff Inn is a luxury boutique accommodation set in a renovated 19th-century mansion and offers deluxe suites with oceanfront views. Another more affordable option is the 2-Star Ocean Pacific Lodge which offers great rooms along with many amenities including an onsite pool. The modestly priced 2-Star Harbor Inn is also an excellent pocket-friendly option.