01
Best overall pick
Santa Cruz Main Beach
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Area • Lively Amusement-Front Beach • Classic Do-It-All Beach Day Spot
The broad, sheltered sands in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk are the go-to choice when you want an easy, classic beach day from Brookdale.
Pack the car in Brookdale and in about 35 minutes you’re stepping onto this wide, gently sloping beach framed by the historic Boardwalk. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser, with volleyball courts, gentle waves ideal for beginners, and every snack or coffee you could want a short stroll away. Go early on summer weekends to beat both the Highway 9 traffic and the parking crunch.
02
Best for scenery
Natural Bridges State Beach
Santa Cruz Westside • Scenic Cove With Tide Pools And Coastal Bluffs • Top Pick For Sunsets And Photographs
A compact, bluff-backed beach anchored by its famed rock arch, Natural Bridges delivers big coastal drama in an easy, manageable package.
If you’d rather trade Boardwalk noise for wave and seabird sound, head to the Westside for Natural Bridges. The small sandy pocket, dramatic sea arch, and accessible tide pools make it a favorite for photographers and curious kids alike. Time your visit for late afternoon and watch the sun drop behind the arch before winding back up to Brookdale.
03
Best for casual evenings
Seabright State Beach
Santa Cruz Seabright Neighborhood • Relaxed In-Town Strand With Fire Pits • Great For Low-Key Hangs And Bonfires
Long, open, and just removed from the Boardwalk buzz, Seabright is where locals spread out blankets, light evening fires, and linger by the waves.
Seabright stretches between the harbor jetty and the San Lorenzo River, giving you ample room to breathe even on busy days. Daylight hours are calm and family-friendly, with gentle waves and views of the lighthouse and Boardwalk rides in the distance. As dusk falls, fire rings along the sand become the backdrop for relaxed gatherings before the drive back into the redwoods.
04
Best small-town vibe
Capitola Beach
Capitola Village • Compact Village-Front Beach • Ideal For Strolling, Snacks, And Mellow Surf
Capitola Beach pairs a sheltered strip of sand with a walkable village backdrop of cafes, patios, and colorful seaside cottages.
For a beach day that feels like a mini vacation, aim for Capitola Village instead of central Santa Cruz. The small, protected beach is great for wading and beginner boogie boarding, and you can be from towel to tacos or ice cream in under a minute. It’s a bit farther from Brookdale, but the pastel buildings, wharf, and low-key buzz are worth the extra miles.
05
Best for wild coast feel
Davenport Beach
North Coast Near Davenport • Wild, Windswept Bluff-Backed Shore • Best For Views And Beach Walks, Not Amenities
Just north of Santa Cruz, Davenport Beach offers a rugged, wide-open stretch of sand framed by cliffs and farmland instead of condos and rides.
When you want the coast to feel big and untamed, point your route from Brookdale toward the North Coast and pull off for Davenport. A short walk down from the highway reveals a broad, often sparsely populated beach with powerful surf, dramatic skies, and plenty of room for long walks. There are no services on the sand, so bring what you need and treat this more as a scenic escape than a full-amenity beach day.