Twin Lakes State Beach offers many activities including bodysurfing, surfing, kiteboarding, swimming, snorkeling, volleyball, beach-walking, sunbathing, beachcombing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching. The beach area gets crowded quickly so arrive early if you are looking for a bonfire on the fire pits. You can comb the beach for a variety of interesting shells. The ocean floor here has a clear surface while the water here is warmer than other Santa Cruz beaches, which makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling and bodyboarding. The Wolton Lighthouse is also present near the beach area and it makes for some picturesque oceanside vistas when seen from the beach.
There many other fun things to do here. The waters near the beach area are home to dolphins, seals, sea lions, and migrating whales. You can also head to the adjoining Schwan Lake Park, a local bird watcher's paradise that features several rare species of hawks and swallows. You can also encounter interesting terrestrial fauna on the walking and biking tracks in the park including opossums, meadow voles, and gopher snakes. During summer evenings every Thursday from 5:30 pm to sunset, the beach becomes a massive dance floor and party zone at the nearby Crow’s Nest restaurant which hosts a weekly gala on the beach featuring live musicians and an open-air bar and barbecue.
