01
Best overall pick
Seacliff State Beach
Aptos Coastline • Classic State Park Beach With A Long Pier Feel • Well-Rounded Choice For Most Visitors
A broad, easy-to-love beach anchored by the famous pier and cement ship just down from Aptos.
Seacliff is the beach most locals name first: long, flat, and perfect for walking, playing in the shorebreak, or settling in with a picnic. The access is straightforward, the vibe is relaxed, and there’s usually enough room to spread out even on busy weekends. Come for a low-effort beach day with just enough novelty in the old ship and pier to make it feel special.
02
Best neighborhood vibe
Rio Del Mar Beach
Rio Del Mar Neighborhood • Laid-Back Neighborhood Beach • Great For Long Walks And Dog-Friendly Strolls
This wide stretch of sand below the Rio Del Mar streets feels like the locals’ everyday beach.
Rio Del Mar Beach blends right into Seacliff to the north, but the feel is more residential and low-key. Street-end access points and a few casual spots to grab a bite make it easy to pop down for an evening walk or quick play session with the kids. It’s an ideal choice if you want the same soft sand and bay views without the state park crowds.
03
Best for camping with a view
New Brighton State Beach
Capitola Side Of The Bay • Clifftop State Park Beach With Campground • Top Pick For Overnighters And Bay Views
A gently curving beach backed by bluffs and a popular campground overlooking Monterey Bay.
New Brighton is the move if you want a full weekend at the coast, not just a day trip. Campsites sit up on the bluff, with trails leading down to a long, sheltered beach that’s good for wading, playing, and wandering toward Capitola at low tide. Mornings tend to be calm and quiet, with broad views across the bay that make sunrise coffee at your site feel like a splurge.
04
Best for space to spread out
Manresa State Beach
La Selva Beach Area • Wide-Open Surf And Walking Beach • Best For Surfers And Big-Sky Horizons
A long, less-developed stretch of sand and surf just south of Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley.
Manresa tends to feel wilder and more open than the beaches closer to town, with big sky, rolling dunes, and plenty of room to roam. Surfers favor the consistent beach break, while walkers and photographers come for the long views down the bay. Expect a bit more of a trek down from the parking area, rewarded with a beach that often feels far from the crowds.
05
Best quiet escape
Sunset State Beach
Watsonville Coast • Dune-Backed, Low-Key State Beach • Great For Quiet Sunsets And Mellow Picnics
Set amid coastal farms and dunes, Sunset State Beach feels like a tucked-away end-of-the-road spot.
Sunset sits a little farther south, but the extra drive pays off in a calmer, less built-up shoreline. Tall dunes shield the beach from the road, and once you’re down on the sand it’s mostly just waves, wind, and wide views. It’s a favorite for unhurried evening picnics, kite flying, and watching the sun sink into the bay with fewer people around.