01
Best overall pick
Natural Bridges State Beach
Westside Santa Cruz • Scenic State Beach With Tidepools • Iconic Spot For Sunsets And Coastal Wildlife
A dramatic cove backed by bluffs, famous for its rock arch, tidepools, and seasonal monarch butterflies.
If you want the full Santa Cruz coastline experience in one stop, this is the beach to choose. Low tide reveals tidepools teeming with sea stars, anemones, and crabs, and the bluffs above offer sweeping views that feel far removed from town. From Felton, it’s an easy drive down Highway 9 and across the Westside, with just enough distance to make it feel like a mini getaway.
02
Best for evening bonfires
Seabright State Beach
Seabright Neighborhood, Santa Cruz • Wide, Social In-Town Beach • Relaxed Hangout For Casual Beach Days And Fire Rings
A broad stretch of sand between the harbor and the San Lorenzo River, popular for laid-back afternoons and permitted fire pits at night.
Seabright is where locals head when they want plenty of room to spread out without leaving town. It’s an easy beach to navigate, with gentle access, views of the lighthouse, and a mellow crowd that skews local but welcoming. Time your visit for late afternoon, then stay for a beach fire as the fog lifts and the city lights flicker on behind you.
03
Best classic boardwalk beach
Santa Cruz Main Beach
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk • Lively Amusement-Park Beachfront • High-Energy Choice For Rides, Arcades, And Ocean Views
The wide sandy beach fronting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, packed with energy, people-watching, and classic seaside amusements.
If you’re visiting Felton with kids or first-timers, Main Beach is the easy crowd-pleaser. You get the full package in one place: gentle waves for wading, volleyball courts, rental shops, and rides and arcade games just steps from your towel. It can be busy and bustling, but that’s part of its charm, especially if you’re pairing a few hours of beach time with a spin on the Giant Dipper before heading back up the hill.
04
Best village vibe
Capitola Beach
Capitola Village • Compact, Colorful Village Beach • Charming Spot For Easy Dining And Low-Key Swimming
A small, sheltered beach tucked against a pastel waterfront village, ideal for mixing sand time with café breaks and window shopping.
Capitola Beach feels like a coastal postcard, with its row of colorful condos, small river mouth, and gentle waves in a protected cove. From Felton, it’s a straightforward drive that lands you right in a walkable village, where you can grab coffee, tacos, or ice cream between dips in the ocean. Parking can be tight on sunny weekends, so plan to arrive earlier in the day or be ready for a short stroll down the hill.
05
Best for long walks
Seacliff State Beach
Aptos / Rio Del Mar • Long, Mellow Shoreline With Pier And Shipwreck • Low-Key Escape For Strolling And Picnicking
A seemingly endless stretch of sand backed by bluffs, anchored by a pier and the aging concrete ship at its end.
Seacliff is where you go when you want space to breathe and walk for miles with ocean on one side and cliffs on the other. The waves here are usually gentle, making it comfortable for families, casual wading, and sandy picnics far from the Boardwalk crowds. From Felton, the slightly longer drive is rewarded with a calmer, more open feel, especially in the early morning or later afternoon.