Santa Cruz Harbor Beach

Located near the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance, Santa Cruz Harbor Beach is a small beach that is situated between Santa Cruz Harbor Breakwater and Twin Lakes State Beach. The beach area has light brown sand and provides a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and of Walton Lighthouse present on the adjoining Seabright Beach. People often consider this beach area to be a part of the larger Twin Lakes State Beach, which is situated right next to the Santa Cruz Harbor Beach area. 

The beach area provides a variety of amenities for visitors including lifeguards, restrooms, volleyball courts, and concession stands, but has no showers. The beach allows pets on a leash.

Santa Cruz Harbor Beach has many fun activities including volleyball, surfing, kiteboarding, diving, snorkeling, boating, wildlife watching, beach walking, sunbathing, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, kite surfing, and swimming. The harbor area is home to several vendors that rent out water sports equipment and also organize classes for teaching rowing, canoeing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

The park is easily accessible - simply drive to the intersecting corner of East Cliff Drive and 5th Avenue to access the beach entrance. The Santa Cruz Harbor has a paid parking lot near the beach entrance.

The beach area also hosts cultural and artistic exhibitions - there is a human sundial present on a plaza near the beach area where visitors can position themselves on the ongoing months and their shadow reveals the exact current date! You can also check out the geographical sculpture of Monterey Bay, present near the Crow’s Nest restaurant and detailing its underwater canyon. You can also check in on the Ukulele Club of Santa Cruz, which performs on the beach area every Saturday between 10 am to 2 pm, to listen to their lively performance. The waters around the beach are a part of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and the beach offers a perfect opportunity to watch for splendid dolphins, whales, and seals in the water. Other attractions near the beach area include The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park, located adjacent to the Santa Cruz Main Beach, and The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, which is also situated nearby.

If you're looking for a restaurant, the seaside Crow’s Nest is popular among locals and features an in-house bar & grill, a beach market, and excellent seafood and steaks. The family-friendly Windmill Cafe offers great breakfast dishes and modest prices. Another great dining option is the Seabreeze café which is popular for its finger-licking sandwiches and muffins.

If you are looking for a hotel near Santa Cruz Harbor Beach, there are many great nearby options. Rio Vista Inn & Suites is a renovated 19th-century mansion that has an old-world charm. For a more affordable option, the 3-Star Bella Notte Inn showcases splendid Mediterranean architecture and has a spa. The 2-Star Harbor Inn is another great budget option.