California, United States of America

Santa Cruz Beaches

Santa Cruz, located in California, United States, is home to several unique and picturesque beaches. 4 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park offers the largest and most accessible beach in the area, while Hole-in-the-Wall Beach is distinctive and secluded, accessible only through a hole in a rock fin. Laguna Creek Beach boasts a creek and wetlands, while Panther Beach is surrounded by towering cliffs and is set to become a California state beach.

A complete list of beaches can be found in our guide below.

Jump to other sections below:
Top Beaches in Santa Cruz Beaches for Every Taste Best Time to Visit Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Beaches Map Where to Stay?

Discover our top picks

Top Beaches in Santa Cruz

4 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park
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Santa Cruz
4 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park

Wilder Ranch State Park, located in Santa Cruz, USA, is home to the largest and most accessible beach in the area, known as 4 Mile Beach or Baldwin Cr...

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3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park
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Santa Cruz
3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park

3 Mile Beach is a beach located within Wilder Ranch State Park, situated in the western part of Santa Cruz, California, USA. To access the beach, visi...

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Hole-in-the-Wall Beach
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Santa Cruz
Hole-in-the-Wall Beach

Hole in the Wall Beach is a beach situated between Santa Cruz and Davenport, south of Panther Beach. The only way to reach the beach is by passing thr...

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Laguna Creek Beach
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Santa Cruz
Laguna Creek Beach

Laguna Creek Beach is a distinctive beach situated in a secluded region close to Santa Cruz in the USA. The beach is predominantly composed of sand an...

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Panther Beach
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Santa Cruz
Panther Beach

Panther Beach is a beach destination situated in Coast Dairies State Park near Davenport, north of Santa Cruz in the USA. It is also known as Yellow B...

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Privates Beach
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Santa Cruz
Privates Beach

Privates Beach, also known as Opal Cliffs Beach, is a beach located in the Opal Cliffs area of Santa Cruz, USA. In 2018, the California Coastal Commis...

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Strawberry Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park
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Santa Cruz
Strawberry Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park

Wilder Ranch State Park's Strawberry Beach is a secluded sandy shoreline located in the northern region of Santa Cruz, California, USA. With low visit...

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Our selection of beaches to do the things you love

Beaches for Every Taste

Nudist Beaches in Santa Cruz

Balancing weather, sea temperature and more

Best Time to Visit Santa Cruz

The best time to visit Santa Cruz in California in United States of America is during the summer months of June to August. The weather is warm and sunny, perfect for spending time on the beach and enjoying outdoor activities. The water temperature is also ideal for swimming in the sea. However, it is important to note that this is peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices. For those looking for a quieter time to visit, the spring months of April and May offer mild temperatures and fewer tourists. Fall months of September and October also offer pleasant weather, but the sea may be too cold for swimming. Winter months of November to February can be rainy and chilly, but still offer plenty of indoor activities to enjoy.

The fastest way to find the best Santa Cruz Beaches

Santa Cruz Beaches Map

Where to Stay?

Explore the map below for accommodations and their rates. See the full list of accommodation options here.

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United States of America
United States of America Beaches
California
California Beaches