Wilder Ranch State Beach - Wilder Beach

Located on the southern part of the Wilder Ranch State Park, Wilder Beach is a beach where visitors are prohibited. Wilder Beach is a nesting ground for the critically endangered snowy plover bird, which has prompted the state park authorities to designate this site as a natural preserve forbidden to all human activity and presence. The beach area, however, is a regular haunt of nature aficionados who like to explore ‘natural’ beaches. Although you cannot walk on the beach, visitors can observe the beach at a nearby observation point situated next to a hiking trail near the beach. There are five other beaches in the state park area which allow humans – these can be accessed by traveling further along the coastline via state park hiking trail. These include Strawberry Beach, which has a secluded location along the state park coastline, and Four Mile Beach, which is a popular surfing spot. There is also an inland portion of Wilder Ranch State Park lying further north of the beach (near the state park visitor center) featuring a renovated 19th-century ranch. The beach is easily accessible from the Wilder Ranch State Park visitor center via a brief hiking trail. You can park at the state park parking lot and from there take the hiking trail to the beach (known as the Old Cove Landing Trail).

The beach area and the state park, nevertheless, still offer some interesting activities for visitors including hiking, biking, wildlife watching, horse riding (at designated places in the northern state park area), picnicking, and boating. You can observe a variety of intriguing animals at the beach area including dolphins, whales, and rare marine birds. A souvenir shop is also available near the beach area. It is recommended that you take the bluff side hiking - biking trail leading to the north to explore more beaches located in the state park area, along with checking out the idyllic coastal grasslands, farmlands, and stunning oceanside viewpoints. You can travel up the state park hiking trail to check out other beaches located along the state park coastline including Fern Grotto Beach, which has interesting rock formations for exploring, and Three Mile Beach, which is located in a secluded bluff side area and offers a calm and quiet beach experience. You can check out the northern portion of Wilder Ranch State Park (situated near the state park visitor center) for more exciting hiking, biking, and horse-riding nature trails showcasing the beauty and ecological diversity of the California Woodlands. There is also a renovated early 19th-century ranch in this part of the state park which history buffs can explore.

The beach area and the state park, nevertheless, still offer some interesting activities for visitors including hiking, biking, wildlife watching, horse riding (at designated places in the northern state park area), picnicking, and boating. You can observe a variety of intriguing animals at the beach area including dolphins, whales, and rare marine birds. A souvenir shop is also available near the beach area. It is recommended that you take the bluff side hiking - biking trail leading to the north to explore more beaches located in the state park area, along with checking out the idyllic coastal grasslands, farmlands, and stunning oceanside viewpoints. You can travel up the state park hiking trail to check out other beaches located along the state park coastline including Fern Grotto Beach, which has interesting rock formations for exploring, and Three Mile Beach, which is located in a secluded bluff side area and offers a calm and quiet beach experience. You can check out the northern portion of Wilder Ranch State Park (situated near the state park visitor center) for more exciting hiking, biking, and horse-riding nature trails showcasing the beauty and ecological diversity of the California Woodlands. There is also a renovated early 19th-century ranch in this part of the state park which history buffs can explore.

If you're looking for a restaurant, Oswald Restaurant offers a fine dining experience that’s known for its comfort food, refreshing cocktails, and delicious steak. Sushi Totoro offers great sushi, teriyaki and tempura dishes, and sake. For a budget-friendly and family-friendly option, Falafel of Santa Cruz offers good Mediterranean dishes including baba ganoush and shawarma.

If you are looking for a hotel near Wilder beach, there are several great nearby options. The 3-Star Best Western Seacliff Inn is 18 minutes away and has a pool, and the more affordable Hampton Inn Santa Cruz and National 9 Motel are also good options.