Beautiful state beach for either spending the day or overnight in one of the campsites!…read more We stopped in on a Sunday around 1pm and wasn't crowded at all. Since we paid $10 at Seacliff state beach a few miles away it was free to enter with our receipt. We asked about the overnight camp sites and were told book in advance on www.parks.ca.gov. They did have some open sites although premium ocean view sites which I believe have hookups go quickly as are only around 9 of those. They are on the top of a tall bluff so do not have easy access to the beach. The beach is a further walk or drive to a separate area of the park. The beach area is pretty and would be a chill spot to enjoy the afternoon away from a ton of people. We enjoyed our time here.

One of my favorite beaches and campgrounds. Gets very narrow when the tide is in. Has interesting…read morefossil cliffs on the western end. Waves are gentle and relatively safe. Not the most accessible, however. Very steep concrete steps at one end, lower steps at the other, both in moderate disrepair. Wildlife includes sea otters, sea lions, various seabirds. Staff at the kiosk were friendly, helpful, and welcoming.

April 18-21, 2025…read more Thought I'd update my review, since it's been almost 8 years! since my prior review. We stayed in one of the sites with water and electricity. I believe there are only 10 or 11 sites with hookups; the rest have no hookups. Even though they don't have hookups, I prefer the sites on the bluff overlooking the ocean, but those are almost impossible to get these days. It's competitive out there when trying to make reservations. We were very happy with our large grassy site with beautiful trees and lots of birds. The sites at this campground are a nice size; it's great to have your own space. Unfortunately, our luck was that there were several big groups of campers here together, and they tended to gather at the campsite near ours. Lots of kids, scooters, bikes, barking dogs, etc. Just families enjoying each other, but it was rather lively. The campground seemed like a different world after these groups departed. Peaceful, even. There is a bit of road noise that you can hear from some of the sites depending on their location; but at night it is quiet enough to hear the owls hoot. There are two trails down to the beach; the one that was closed on my prior visits was open. It's quite a climb, but worth every step. Dog-friendly beaches are always a huge plus in my book. Also a plus is that there are four dump stations ($10). I'll definitely come back--I'll keep trying; someday I might actually get one of those premium sites on the bluff again. Note of caution - if you have a tall rig, some of the trees on the road to the campsites were in need of trimming, so you need to watch carefully. Easy does it. Also, the garbage trucks come through at 6:00 in the morning. Really? At a campground? ....... So if you like to sleep in...forget it.

Great beach camping spot in the Santa cruz county. Easy beach access, cute trails around to walk…read more You are able to walk into capital village which is a great spot. Bathrooms are pretty clean. They have dry spots and full hook ups as well!

There was a free event, Ocean Fest, taking place here this past Saturday. Food trucks, merchandise…read morevendors selling beach art and ocean-themed products, and the Cement Ship band playing live music for a small crowd. A visitor center & park store on site, as well as picnic areas with plenty of seating, and ample restrooms too. The beach was a bit smellier than the others I normally visit, but worth it for the beautiful peaceful views and gentle waves of the water. Small rocks and debris were scattered throughout the powdery sand but not excessive, along with logs and bonfire remains. The ruins of the SS Palo Alto ship, a piece of history, sitting not too far from the shore, a unique feature at this park. Parking cost was $10 (receipt good at other state parks and beaches in the county too), but that's ten dollars more than I think it's worth, as besides partial views of the SS Palo Alto, nothing really stood out that I couldn't get from somewhere else that doesn't charge a parking fee.

My personal favorite beach in the Santa Cruz region. Located in Aptos. It is not only one of the…read moreeasiest beaches to access, it is typically quiet and uncrowded. That being said all Santa Cruz beaches are packed during holidays and summertime. Being a State park/beach, there is a $10 vehicle fee to enter. That seems reasonable given the amenities available once you arrive. Public parking including handicap spots, clean and maintained restrooms, some picnic tables and an easy, flat walking path along the ocean front in both directions. Walking towards the east you can, in a relatively short time, come upon a couple of nice places to grab something to eat or drink. You will not find this perk in other state parks. So if you do not have your picnic basket packed just know there are options if you get hungry. Unfortunately the long time walking/fishing pier that existed as long as I can remember is no longer. After a couple of recent destructive winter storms it was destroyed. However, the remains of the historical WWI-era, Palo Alto "cement" ship is still partially visible and continues to be the home for hundreds of pelicans and shore birds coming and going. Amusing to watch. A Museum/gift shop is also located at Seacliff State Beach. Free. It is absolutely worth visiting for both adults and kids. Volunteers who manage the museum are dedicated, enthusiastic and well-informed. Interesting information/photos about the "cement" ship too. Come 5 p.m., the locals and their dogs are exercising, running, and walking along the ocean front. However they are not driving in they are taking the hard way to the beach. The beautiful, very long, staircase you can walk down to the beach if you have the legs and breath to make it. It is amazing to watch some of them use this staircase as an exercise tool. Running up and down. Whew! And after a nice day at the beach there is yummy Marianne's Ice Cream shop and/or the famous and delicious Manuel's Mexican Restaurant waiting for you after you exit the park. Both have been delighting locals and tourists forever. Or... stay for the stunning sunset at Seacliff. You will not be disappointed.

This park is a great way to visit Santa Cruz! Yes, it is basically a parking lot with hook ups, no…read morewifi and no bathrooms or showers. But the location is great, and it has the best price in all of Santa Cruz. Also, it's right on the harbor so you are looking out at the boats! It's an easy drive to anywhere you want to visit in the area. It felt very safe to me. So many of the rv parks in SR charge as much as a hotel room, which makes no sense to me. I was really happy to find this place. I will definitely come here again.

Very quiet. It is impressive with the ramps are easy to access . I have a mobility master and I was…read moreable to drive almost anywhere and go into the city.

This beach is a colorful one The coloured houses add a fun…read moreelement to the sun and sand The extreme ends of the beach are a bit calmer . There is a public washroom at one end of the beach and that is so convenient Definitely coming back for the good feels

Yes. Just yes. Can be crowded, you won't burn your clam…read morechowder calories off while taking a walk on this beach. It's very quaint.

Love this peaceful and very secure location. Just a short drive south of Gilroy CA. Very nice…read moremanicured spots with perfect cable TV. I will always return here and enjoy this delightful camp spot. All staff very caring and available for any assistance. Put this on your list for the central coast in California !!

4.5/5.0 Stars. The park is quiet and well maintained. The pads are asphalt and roomy. They offer…read morea store, game room with a billiard table, pool, open area, dog park, laundry room (good condition and reasonably priced), propane, and views of hills with cattle in the distance. Almost all the staff are friendly and accommodating. When in the area we will consider returning.

BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!…read more I'm concerned that this company generates More revenue from charging people for damage, than actual rental services. There was superficial aesthetic scratches as you can see in the photo. We were told, that these tiny scratches are worth 25% of the entire cost of the part ($1400). Do you think these scratches justify 25%? In reality, it's more like 0.1% of the cost. --so how many customers will they do this to? 10? And reap a 250% return on this part? -HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS. I'm all for paying for damages but this is ridiculous. The money maker is charging customers for cumulative replacements. You're NOT SUPPOSE TO PROFIT OFF DAMAGE CHARGES. Or is that the entire point of this business? If you've been ripped off by this business, please reach out, as we may be interested in class action litigation.

Rented two Seadoo Spark jet skis from these guys from Friday to Sunday. The return process totally…read moresucked. They only have one person working on Sunday so I waited over 2.5hrs to make my return. Waited outside their gate for 40mins. Another rented was already waiting. The only person there takes 45mins to do his return inspection. After waiting for near an hour the renters in front of me finally got escorted off the property. Upon inspecting my rentals he pointed out a scratch on my jetski rental. The scratch was pretty superficial. The seadoo sparks are made mostly out of plastic and polytec unlike traditional jetskis that are made of mostly fiberglass. Fiberglass damage needs repairs to prevent more damage to the surrounding fiberglass, however, the plastic and polytec damage does not need to be repaired. The small scratch was the size of a pinky fingernail clipping from a part that was nearly the entire surface of the ski. Basically the area you would stand on. The parts price was quoted at ~$1200. His inspection required me to pay for a 1/4 of the $1200 part and 1/4 of the labor it would be to replace the part. A quarter of the price was ridiculous in my opinion. I asked if he could give me deal and give me 1/10 of the cost for parts and labor. It seemed more reasonable than paying over $300 for a scratch in some polytec/plastic that was likely intended to take some abuse. I was surprised he was even considering that small scratch as damage. It blow my mind that they would do this kind of BS to a customer. By the looks of it, this has happen before. The pictures indicate the part that would be replaced. Again, my scratch was the size of a little fingernail clipping. The part is massive in comparison to the scratch.

It's makes for a quick hike, where you get to see cows. Be careful going very off-trail; there may…read morebe homeless camps in the bushes. The paths are so easy that I saw someone using a walker. Parking is on-street, and generally OK. You can stop by Bottega Del Lago for sandwiches beforehand.

Easily accessible and educational trail for learning about the endangered species of tarplant and…read morenatural wildlife that make up lovely Santa Cruz. Plus, so many cows!!! The trail is clean, paved, and has clear signage so I never felt lost. Residential street parking is free and readily available. Definitely recommended for those wanting a low maintenance nature walk with many opportunities to safely see some friendly cows.

An amazing resource for natural horsemanship, retreats, community connections and healing with…read morehorses. Lori and Ella are amazing teachers, women leaders and grounded community change makers who help all who visit and attend events lessons and retreats there meaningful and full of growth and wisdom.

My daughter first attended this camp in the summer of 2010. It was amazing! The property sits on a…read morehill over looking all of Monterey bay. The price was very reasonable plus they have scholarships available. My daughter learned to take care of and ride horses. She had fun dancing and learning aerial. she made beautiful art and got to perform in a play at the end of camp for all the parents. Horse and Heart is terrific! I highly recommend it.

Super great tours! Bridger was hilarious and the entire experience was so much fun for the whole…read morefamily. Make sure you make a reservation or go early in the morning as it gets busy fast! Can't recommend enough

While I was on vacation in California, I had the chance to visit The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz,…read moreand it was definitely one of the most unique experiences of the trip! I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but walking through the tilted house and experiencing all of the optical illusions was so much fun. My sense of balance was completely thrown off, and yes, I got a little dizzy! It really makes you question what you're seeing. Whether it's science, illusion, or just a clever design, it's an experience I'll never forget. If you're ever in the Santa Cruz area, I definitely recommend checking it out. It was something different, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to experience it while I was on vacation!