Santa Cruz County is home to some of the best beaches on the West Coast.
Surfing? Absolutely.
Tide pooling? Check.
Miles of uninterrupted sand, and beautiful sunset views? mmm hmmm.
Beach volleyball, Sand Castle Contests, Beach Concerts? Got those too.
Nude Beaches? Uh…
Guide to the Best Santa Cruz Beaches:
Santa Cruz beaches have something for everyone. Some are favorites with tourists due to proximity to hotels and shopping while others tend to be local favorites. Below you will find all the best Santa Cruz beaches. We’ve given you two options for navigating this post:
Browse By Location
North County Beaches
Westside Beaches
Santa Cruz Beaches
Live Oak Beaches
Capitola Beaches
Aptos Beaches
South County Beaches