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2025-08-11 15 04 12 The beach at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California📷 Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Natural Bridges State Beach

Santa Cruz, CA

Nature

A beach on the west edge of Santa Cruz with a surviving sea arch, tide pools and a eucalyptus grove where monarch butterflies cluster from October to February. Day-use parking fee; street parking outside.

Nearest town
Santa Cruz, CA
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
36.9531, -122.0573

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Highway 1 south: San Francisco to Santa Cruz and Monterey – Pigeon Point Light Station Fresnel Lens© Jeedew · CC BY-SA 3.0
1
Coast & island drives

Highway 1 south: San Francisco to Santa Cruz and Monterey

113 mi7 stops2 days

Nearby

Año Nuevo State Park – Elephant Seals - Flickr - GregTheBusker (1)© Greg Schechter from San Francisco, USA · CC BY 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Año Nuevo State Park

Pescadero, CA
Pigeon Point Light Station Fresnel Lens© Jeedew · CC BY-SA 3.0
Views

Pigeon Point Light Station

Pescadero, CA
Monterey Bay Aquarium – Dangerous Beauty (Unsplash)© Michal Pechardo michalp24 · CC0
History

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey, CA
Carmel-by-the-Sea – Carmel by the Sea Coastline (Unsplash) (cropped)© Chris Leipelt cleipelt · CC0
History

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Campsites nearby

  • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park CampgroundCampsite
    5 mi from Natural Bridges State Beach · 113 pitches
    TentsCaravansDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Santa Cruz Redwoods RV ResortMotorhome stopover
    6 mi from Natural Bridges State Beach
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • New Brighton State Beach CampgroundCampsite
    7 mi from Natural Bridges State Beach · 100 pitches
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Seacliff Center RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    8 mi from Natural Bridges State Beach
    MotorhomesWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover
    12 mi from Natural Bridges State Beach
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Uvas Pines RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    22 mi from Natural Bridges State Beach
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Natural Bridges State Beach?

Natural Bridges State Beach is in Santa Cruz, CA, at GPS 36.9531, -122.0573. It is about 7 mi from Felton.

Can you camp near Natural Bridges State Beach?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Wilder Ranch State Park Horse Camping, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 84 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Natural Bridges State Beach?

Natural Bridges State Beach is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Highway 1 south: San Francisco to Santa Cruz and Monterey.

What is there to see near Natural Bridges State Beach?

Places worth a stop nearby: Año Nuevo State Park (19 mi), Pigeon Point Light Station (24 mi), Monterey Bay Aquarium (25 mi) and Carmel-by-the-Sea (28 mi).

When is the best time to visit Natural Bridges State Beach?

The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)