Santa Cruz Beaches

Going to a beach in Santa Cruz, CA can result in a excellent day and has many benefits for you and your family. Regardless of the activity – splashing in the waves, grilling on the beach, throwing the frisbee, flying a kite, going on walks, or simply catching some rays, beaches are a source to many different awesome activities.

Locating a beautiful swimming beach in Santa Cruz with plenty of area for activities on the beach is easier than you think. If you need some help with searching for a great beach in your area, then locate a beach using our collection. Get started, by entering a zip code using the displayed box below.

Santa Cruz Beaches

The beach could be temporarily shut down because of water quality concerns as a result of unexpected events like bacteria, stormfall runoff, or flooding. Check the beach’s website before you leave for the beach for water quality concerns.

Remember that the weather on a beach is very different than in the city. Wind can be stronger and unpredictible when it is blowing onto the beach.

Santa Cruz, CA Beach Rules

While each beach in Santa Cruz may have unique rules on how to attend their beach, prepare to adhere to the following guidelines for every beach in Santa Cruz that you go to:

  • Do not venture outside of the swimming area.
  • Always understand you are swimming at your own risk, even if there’s a lifeguard at attention.
  • Never disobey an order from the lifeguard on duty. If the lifeguard tell you to get out of the water, then you must follow through.
  • Any glass containers cannot be brought to beaches.
  • Only visit the beach when it is open.
  • Don’t forget, if you take something to the beach, you’re required to not leave anything behind.

Santa Cruz Beach Checklist

  1. Remember extra clothing. It’s common knowledge that the weather in Santa Cruz will change rather fast. This is especially important if you’re planning on going swimming, so pack extra warm items such as a jacket, blankets, pants, and socks.
  2. Don’t swim outside of the roped off swimming region. If there’s a designated swim space it is likely not safe to venture beyond the area. The area may have dangerous objects under the water, be assigned to watercraft, or is not monitored by lifeguards.
  3. Dispose of Garbage. Nothing is worse visit a waste filled beach. When you take things to the beach, you are expected pick up after yourself. Be sure that you toss out your trash in an appropriate trash or recycling receptacles.
  4. Check the restroom situation. Bathroom information may be the least of your worries before you plan your beach trip. However you don’t want to be caught in a situation where you must go to the restroom fast but there isn’t one open. If you’re unable to find bathroom information on the beach’s website, then you should assume that a public restroom or facility isn’t open. Make sure that you go to the restroom prior to leaving for the beach.
  5. Will there be a lifeguard? Most popular beaches in Santa Cruz staff a lifeguard around, however you shouldn’t assume that a lifeguard being in attendance. On your walk to the beach, search for lifeguard on duty signs. Sometimes they display lifeguard hours.
  6. Watch out for insects. If you plan on going to the beach in the morning or late in the day, you will find mosquitos, horse flies, fleas and other nuisance insects may cause a problem.
  7. Bring a mesh bag for your stuff. It may be simple to use a backpack, grocery bag, or water-resistant duffle bag to stash beach items such as beach balls, buckets, flotation devices, and PFDs. However, these bags trap water from leaving, causing mildew growth or just keeping beach items from drying out.