01
Best overall pick
Capitola Beach
Capitola Village • Classic Seaside Village Beach • Best All-Around Day Trip
Capitola Beach delivers a sheltered sandy cove backed by colorful buildings, easy dining, and a relaxed small-town vibe.
From Monte Sereno, Capitola is an easy over-the-hill drive when you want a beach day that feels like a mini vacation. The compact village puts coffee, tacos, wine bars, and restrooms a few steps from the sand, which makes it especially friendly for families and groups. Parking can fill on sunny weekends, so arrive earlier in the day or be ready for a short walk in from neighborhood streets.
02
Best for a classic Santa Cruz feel
Seabright State Beach
Between Boardwalk And Santa Cruz Harbor • Wide Urban Sandy Strand • Best For Beach Bonfires
Seabright is a broad, open beach popular for evening fire pits, whale-spotting walks, and easy access to town.
If you want a big-sky, wide-open stretch of sand without the full Boardwalk chaos, Seabright hits the sweet spot. Locals spread out here for late afternoon hangs, then light up the fire rings as the sun drops behind the lighthouse. It is an easy jump from Highway 17, with casual bars, pizza, and the harbor all within a short walk if you decide to stay past sunset.
03
Most scenic
Natural Bridges State Beach
Westside Santa Cruz • Scenic Cove With Tide Pools • Best For Sunsets And Tide Pooling
Natural Bridges frames the ocean with striking rock arches, gentle surf, and exposed tide pools at lower tides.
This is the spot to choose when you want more than just laying out on the sand. Arrive around low tide to wander the tide pools, then linger as the cliffs turn gold and the remaining rock arch silhouettes against the sunset. It is slightly farther west than the main city beaches but still a manageable drive from Monte Sereno for an afternoon that feels wild without being remote.
04
Best for long, mellow walks
Rio Del Mar Beach
Aptos • Relaxed Neighborhood Shoreline • Best For Long Walks With The Dog
Rio Del Mar offers a long, gently sloping beach favored by locals for unhurried walks, jogging, and leashed pups.
When you want space to stretch your legs instead of weaving through crowds, head a little farther south to Rio Del Mar. The sand stretches for what feels like miles, with a more low-key, residential feel than the Santa Cruz city beaches. Pack layers, since it can run cooler and foggier than inland Monte Sereno, but the trade-off is room to roam and easier parking on many days.
05
Best low-key hangout
Twin Lakes State Beach
Santa Cruz Harbor • Harbor-Side Hangout • Best For A Laid-Back Local Vibe
Twin Lakes blends gentle surf, harbor views, and a couple of casual spots for food and drinks right off the sand.
Just east of the harbor jetty, Twin Lakes draws a mostly local crowd that skews more mellow than the Boardwalk scene. It is a comfortable choice if you want to mix a bit of swimming or boogie boarding with watching sailboats come and go. Grab a bite at the nearby eateries, then stroll the jetty or lighthouse before heading back over the hill to Monte Sereno.