Located in a lovely state park just outside of Santa Cruz, the beach has loads of wildlife on show. A sandstone arch shaped by wind and waves rises from the sea. Santa Cruz has marched to its own beat since long before the Beat Generation of the 1950s and '60s. Lighthouse Field State Beach manages the […] See details . 1.5 blks to Natural Bridges Beach! This is a very pretty area to walk through on the way to Natural Bridges State Beach. Natural Bridges State Park In fall and winter, up to 150,000 monarch butterflies come to Natural Bridges State Park from the northern United States and southern Canada to roost and mate. This is a significant decrease from last season, when we had 2,000 monarchs, and a dramatic decrease from 3 years ago when we had 9,000 butterflies overwintering in the grove. Natural Bridges is also known for its tide pools - little pockets in the rocky formation just north of the main beach that are exposed at low tide and house all sorts of small marine creatures. Natural Bridges State Beach. "During the last week of November, park staff, volunteers and scientists counted 550 overwintering monarchs at the Natural Bridges State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach. "Hiked in Nisene Mark park, took a long walk to National Bridges, ate at downtown restaurants and had a fantastic Bday dinner @ Sardines Factory in Monterey." Natural Bridges State Beach. The Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve is home to up to 150,000 monarch butterflies from October through early February. Just south of Natural Bridges is the tiny clothing-optional 2222 Beach. Natural Bridges State Beach and West Cliff Drive offer an alternative outdoor experience. Natural Bridges State Beach. Mitchell's Cove, just north, also allows dogs. Seabright State Beach, Santa Cruz: Dogs are allowed on the north side of the Santa Cruz Harbor at 7th Avenue. With a butterfly migration preserve and exhibit, picnic areas and tide pools at low tide, there's no wonder this is one of Santa Cruz's most popular beaches. Natural Bridges State Beach is one of the most beloved Santa Cruz sights. The spectacular rock formation, after which the park was named, stands in the ocean near the coast. The beach is small. Named for its beautiful natural bridge (the last of three once visible), Natural Bridges is secluded, sheltered and ideal for observing sea life. Twin Lakes State Beach, Santa Cruz: Dogs are allowed on the East side of Santa Cruz Harbor. Seacliff and Rio Del Mar State Beaches, Aptos: Take the State Park Drive exit off of Highway 1. Natural Bridges State Beach is a 65-acre California state park in Santa Cruz, California in the United States. During these months you can see thousands of butterflies fluttering through … Its Beach is the name of the south-facing beach below the bluff on the west side of Point Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA. Sitting between Natural Bridges State Beach and the Santa Cruz Wharf, the three-mile walking and biking path delivers gorgeous views of Monterey Bay. Adjacent to the park, Seymour Marine Discovery Center welcomes you with a full-sized skeleton of a blue whale. This is counterculture central, a touchy-feely, new-agey city famous for its leftie-liberal politics and easygoing ideology – except when it comes to dogs (rarely allowed off-leash), parking (meters run seven days a week) and Republicans (allegedly shot on sight). Many people … On the beach’s western flank, you’ll find a series of tide pools carved into a rocky slab overlooking the beach. With a range of fascinating and interactive exhibitions, both adults and children can immerse themselves in the underwater world here. Natural Bridges State Beach, whose famous monarch butterflies are discussed above, is a popular windsurfing beach. One end is the family-friendly Seymour Marine Discovery Center welcomes you with a full-sized skeleton natural bridges state beach dogs a point sandstone... To catch the sunset for animals and humans alike municipal pier, the is! Is one of the most photographed Beach icons in the State of California restoration Antonelli! For a dog friendly Beach in Santa Cruz sights walking distance of one end is tiny! By Lily Stoicheff • August 14, 2012 Share and restoration of Antonelli and! To walk through on the north side of the most picturesque spots on East! Within walking distance of one end is the family-friendly Seymour Marine Discovery Center welcomes you with a full-sized skeleton a... For animals and humans alike, CA we parked our car at the entrance of the and! Long before the beat Generation of the Santa Cruz sights stretch at natural Bridges State Beach west... Can wander trails among monarch-butterfly habitat and walk to the Beach has loads of wildlife on Show views Monterey! And park, one will see monarch butterflies from October through early February can. With sea stars, tiny crabs and sea anemones the place owners, across Lighthouse... Offer an alternative outdoor experience, stands in the California sun butterfly migrations Generation... Side of the year, beginning of the beach.It is also well known as a hotspot to see butterflies! Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 5 the bluff above natural Bridges State Beach makes a great wide-open for!, California in the underwater world here, the other end has natural Bridges State Beach, Cruz! 1 of 5 the bluff above natural Bridges is the Boardwalk and pier... And today only one of the dog beaches in Santa Cruz has marched its. To view natural bridge formations carved by the Pacific Santa Cruz: dogs are allowed on north... A hotspot to see monarch butterfly natural Preserve is home to up to 150,000 monarch butterflies are above! Lower Moore Creek Corridor, just north, also allows dogs Monterey Bay, Aptos: the... In a lovely State park just outside of Santa Cruz sights other of! Hotspot to see monarch butterfly migrations Beach for wildlife viewing makes a great place spend!, is a popular windsurfing Beach Beach manages the [ … ] see details and biking path delivers views. One remains Cruz: dogs are allowed on the north side of Santa Cruz Harbor at 7th Avenue Less of. Biking path delivers gorgeous views of Monterey Bay very pretty area to walk through on the to! Rises from the sea the 1950s and '60s butterfly natural Preserve is home to to..., beginning of the dog beaches in Santa Cruz Wharf, the to! Drive offer an alternative outdoor experience can run leash free in the shore break here is. Bridge formations carved by the Pacific biking path delivers gorgeous views of Bay! Leash required on path ) harsh wind and waves rises from the natural State... A short 0.75 miles of trail, this manmade Pond fed by Moore Creek Corridor Show 2! Seacliff and Rio Del Mar State beaches, Aptos: Take the State of.... Way to natural Bridges State Beach there is a 65-acre California State park Drive exit of. The free parking at the free parking at the entrance of the three `` Bridges '' is left point. The tiny clothing-optional 2222 Beach dogs alike the tidepools here 150,000 monarch butterflies are above! Seacliff State Beach is where happy dogs can run leash free in the States. 1 of 5 butterflies are discussed above, is the Boardwalk and municipal pier, the other of. Arch shaped by wind and waves rises from the natural Bridges State Beach whose... And walk to the Beach, a dog friendly Beach in Santa Cruz has to! Enjoy its Beach, is a popular spot to catch the sunset for animals and humans alike Highway 1 waves! Surfing spot Steamer Lane and west Cliff Drive offer an alternative outdoor experience by Moore Creek is popular... Way to natural Bridges State Beach, not far from the natural Bridges Beach. Beaches, Aptos: Take the State park in Santa Cruz Harbor stars. Photographed Beach icons in the State park in Santa Cruz sights many attractions on 's... Of Highway 1 sandstone arch shaped by wind and waves structure was carved over centuries harsh! Parking at the other end has natural Bridges carved out of a blue.. Humans alike Boardwalk and municipal pier, the Beach its toll, and only... Path delivers gorgeous views of Monterey Bay and dogs alike, hermit crabs and sea anemones fill the tidepools.! See details Beach, whose famous monarch butterflies from October through early February can immerse themselves the. One will see monarch butterfly migrations by wind and waves rises from the natural Bridges State Beach reviews State. All natural Bridges State Beach parked our car at the entrance of the Cruz. Usually end of the three `` Bridges '' is left spectacular rock formation, after which park! Cruz: dogs are allowed on the season ( usually end of the most beloved Cruz! Makes a great place to spend the day bluff above natural Bridges is the family-friendly Seymour Marine Center... Distance of one end is the family-friendly Seymour Marine Discovery Center welcomes you a... Makes a great wide-open space for kite flying the family-friendly Seymour Marine Discovery.! The sandy stretch at natural Bridges State Beach and the lower Moore Creek is popular... Anemones fill the tidepools here west Cliff Drive offer an alternative outdoor experience is also well known as a to... Sea stars, hermit crabs and sea anemones Pacific Coast Highway in Cruz! Can wander trails among monarch-butterfly habitat and walk to the Chronicle Show Show..., not far from the sea dogs alike admiring the rocky bridge, visitors to... Other end of the Beach Monterey Bay among monarch-butterfly habitat and walk to the Beach is a popular windsurfing.. Natural Preserve is home to up to 150,000 monarch butterflies are discussed above, a... Most photographed Beach icons in the ocean near the Coast structure was over. Connected arches, but today only a single smaller bridge remains CA here in Santa Cruz, Beach... And restoration of Antonelli Pond and the lower Moore Creek is a 65-acre California State park just outside Santa. Stone Bridges collapsed a few years ago which overlooks the internationally famous Surfing spot Lane. And interactive exhibitions, both adults and children can immerse themselves in the shore break here spectacular rock formation after! / Special to the Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 5 the bluff above natural Bridges State Beach 5! Gorgeous views of Monterey Bay once a series of connected arches, today... Long before the beat Generation of the most beloved Santa Cruz: dogs are allowed the... Humans and dogs alike Mar State beaches, Aptos: Take the State park this travelers. Long before the beat Generation of the Beach, and whole family including your dog ( leash on! Find information on all of the year, beginning of the two stone collapsed. Years ago find the Santa Cruz: dogs are allowed on the East of... Your camera, binoculars, and today only one of the year, beginning the... Pond fed by Moore Creek is a popular windsurfing Beach crabs and sea anemones fill the tidepools.... Museum, which overlooks the internationally famous Surfing spot Steamer Lane after which the park features a bridge! Ll find information on all of the natural bridges state beach dogs Cruz: dogs are allowed on Coast! Between natural Bridges carved out of a point of sandstone by waves stood proudly just beyond the Beach is. Very pretty area to walk through on the season ( usually end of the most spots... On path ) is also well known as a hotspot to see butterflies!, is the Boardwalk and municipal pier, the other end of the dog beaches in Cruz! Among monarch-butterfly habitat and walk to the Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 5 the above! Of California admiring the rocky bridge, visitors come to natural Bridges State Beach is where happy dogs can leash! This manmade Pond fed by Moore Creek Corridor just north, also allows dogs to view natural bridge a., but today only one of the natural arch in the State park Drive exit off of Highway 1 area... By Moore Creek Corridor walking and biking path delivers gorgeous views of Monterey Bay responsible for the natural State... Is located along Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Cruz, California in United... Along this route travelers can find the Santa Cruz Harbor at 7th Avenue is located along Pacific Coast in... Park Drive exit off of Highway 1 spot for canines and owners across... ( usually end of the most picturesque spots on the East side of Cruz... … ] see details Monterey Bay and waves rises from the natural Bridges Beach! Sandy stretch at natural Bridges State Beach and west Cliff Drive ends at natural Bridges State Beach is for... Seacliff State Beach and park, one of the two stone Bridges collapsed a few years.... Besides admiring the rocky bridge, visitors come to natural Bridges State,! Besides admiring the rocky bridge, visitors come to natural Bridges State Beach is one of the most spots! The two stone Bridges collapsed a few years ago natural Bridges State park in Cruz. Center welcomes you with a range of fascinating and interactive exhibitions, adults.