01
Best overall pick
Capitola Beach
Capitola Village Waterfront • Lively Small-Town Beach Scene • Great For First-Time Visitors
A compact sandy beach backed by colorful buildings, steps from cafés, bars, and the Soquel Creek bridge.
Capitola Beach is the postcard shot of this part of the coast, with easy access to food, coffee, and people-watching right off the sand. It’s ideal if you want a simple park-once outing where you can wander the village, grab a bite, and still pop back to your towel. It does get busy on summer weekends, so arrive earlier if you care about parking or a front-row spot by the water.
02
Best for laid-back walks
New Brighton State Beach
Bluffs Just South Of Soquel • Wide Sandy State Park Beach • Best For Mellow Walks And Camping
A long, gently sloping beach below tree-topped bluffs, with a campground above and space to spread out.
New Brighton feels quieter and more open than the village beaches, making it great for long strolls, sand play, or simply staring out at the bay. The state park setup means paid parking and basic facilities, plus a popular blufftop campground if you want to turn your beach time into an overnight. It’s an easy choice when Capitola feels too crowded but you still want to stay close to Soquel.
03
Best for classic pier vibes
Seacliff State Beach
Seacliff / Aptos Waterfront • Classic Pier-And-Bluffs Strand • Best For Picnics And Pier Views
A long stretch of sand with a broad day-use area, picnic tables, and a pier extending toward the old cement ship.
Seacliff offers easy access, a big feel, and a front-row view of the bay, with room for families, walkers, and casual beachgoers to share the sand. The day-use lots put you close to restrooms and picnic tables, so it’s convenient for groups and low-effort beach days. Walk north or south along the waterline and the crowds thin quickly, especially outside peak summer afternoons.
04
Best neighborhood feel
Rio Del Mar State Beach
Lower Rio Del Mar Neighborhood • Relaxed Neighborhood Shoreline • Best For Dog-Friendly Strolls
A mellow, mostly flat beach edged by homes and low-key streets, popular with locals, walkers, and dog owners.
Rio Del Mar has a lived-in, local vibe, with a wide sandy expanse that’s great for easy walks and casual sunset hangs. Street and lot parking can fill near the main access, but a short walk usually gets you to a quieter patch of sand. The gently sloping shoreline makes it more about wading, tossing a ball, and chatting than serious surf sessions.
05
Best for surf watching
Pleasure Point
Eastside Santa Cruz Surf Stretch • Iconic Point-Break Surf Zone • Classic Spot For Surfers And Surf Watching
A blufftop path looking down on peeling waves and small pocket beaches, buzzing with surfers from dawn to dusk.
Pleasure Point is where you go to soak up classic Santa Cruz surf culture within a short drive of Soquel. The action is mostly in the water and along the paved bluff path, with tide-dependent access to little coves below, so plan more on watching than full-day sunbathing. Time your visit for lower tide if you want to explore the tidepools and rock shelves between sets.