Wilder Ranch State Park - 3 Mile Beach(Three Mile Beach)

Located around three miles west of Santa Cruz, the aptly named Three Mile Beach is one of the six beaches present on the southern coast of Wilder Ranch State Park. The beach area is surrounded by bluffs on land. The beach has beige-colored sand and offers a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. The beach is not easy to access - You need to hike along and follow the Ohlone Bluff Trail from the parking spots near the state park entrance to access it. 

Due to its secluded location, the beach offers no lifeguards and has no amenities except some walking trails. Moreover, the beach doesn’t allow dogs. There is a popular misconception among people that both Three Mile Beach and the neighboring Strawberry Beach are clothing-optional beaches, which is not only false but considered an act of indecency that is punishable by local authorities. 

Three Mile Beach offers a large variety of activities including hiking, biking, boating swimming, surfing, snorkeling, sunbathing, kitesurfing, beach walking, and wildlife watching. The waters in these areas are perfect for all kinds of surfers and are less crowded compared to the other beaches present in this part of the shoreline. You can also head up north to Four Mile Beach in order to access restrooms. A further walk south via the coastal hiking trail near the beach will lead you to wildlife hotspots including Fern Grotto Beach and Wilder Beach, which are home to seals and a variety of marine birds, including the rare snowy plover. The water here is home to whales and bottlenose dolphins. You can also visit the ranch area of the state park, which is situated east of the beach near the state park visitor center and features a renovated early 19th-century dairy ranch giving a memorable insight into California’s pastoral history, along with several interesting hiking, biking, and horse riding trails providing a chance to experience the unique flora and fauna of central California.

There are two free parking areas available for the beach - you can either use the Four Mile Beach Parking Lot located along California State Highway 1 or you can park at 3050 Coast Road that is near the marked beach trailhead. From either of these spots, you can access the hiking trail to the beach.

Three Mile Beach offers a large variety of activities including hiking, biking, boating swimming, surfing, snorkeling, sunbathing, kitesurfing, beach walking, and wildlife watching. The waters in these areas are perfect for all kinds of surfers and are less crowded compared to the other beaches present in this part of the shoreline. You can also head up north to Four Mile Beach in order to access restrooms. A further walk south via the coastal hiking trail near the beach will lead you to wildlife hotspots including Fern Grotto Beach and Wilder Beach, which are home to seals and a variety of marine birds, including the rare snowy plover. The water here is home to whales and bottlenose dolphins. You can also visit the ranch area of the state park, which is situated east of the beach near the state park visitor center and features a renovated early 19th-century dairy ranch giving a memorable insight into California’s pastoral history, along with several interesting hiking, biking, and horse riding trails providing a chance to experience the unique flora and fauna of central California.

If you're looking for a restaurant, the popular family-friendly Zachary’s Restaurant in Westside Santa Cruz features delicious breakfast dishes at reasonable prices. Another good option is Bantam, a high-end pizzeria that has an organically sourced menu and offers classic dishes with modern sensibilities. Parish Publick House, a bar also located nearby, is famous for its craft beers, cocktails, and deep-fried burgers.

If you are looking for a hotel near Three Mile Beach, Fairfield Inn and Suites Santa Cruz which is a 3-Star hotel offers a variety of amenities including a heated onsite pool, spa, and fitness center. For more affordable accommodation, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Cruz, a 2-Star hotel offering spacious rooms along with amenities including an outdoor pool. You can also check out Quality Inn, which is located nearby and offers great rooms at modest prices.