Santa Cruz Beach — Attraction in Santa Cruz

I remember growing up Santa Cruz Beach had a reputation for being "dirty". When I revisited in my 30s I thought the assessment was unfair. No, it's not a white sandy tropical beach, but as we expect from beaches -- it's still quite a nice one to stroll, watch the birds and the waves roll in and out, relax and read a book, etc. Towards the edge of the beach and along a cliffside the ocean meets a creek. Here you will find an abandoned bridge suspended over the creek. This area is super cool to explore and picturesque and something you can't find in other beaches.

The beach is family-friendly and a great place to bring the kids, and the Boardwalk is nearby!

Santa Cruz Beach is not as shady as I remembered and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed walking among the waves. Will definitely...

This is FAR from the best beach in Santa Cruz. It is without question the most popular but only because tourists flock here for they think it's the most well known.

Main/Cowell/Boardwalk Beach is dirty and packed with tourists. It was ranked the worst beach in water quality, which both SFGate and buzzfeed wrote articles about.

If you are visiting Santa Cruz with children and want to go to the boardwalk then I understand but otherwise go elsewhere. Santa Cruz has such a beautiful coastline and so many beautiful beaches. All along Westcliff Dr. and East Cliff Dr. there are far nicer beaches. I'd recommend Natural Bridges, Seabright Beach, Panther Beach or...

The beach stretches for miles and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. You can enjoy a variety of activities such as swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, and sunbathing. The beach gets crowded but still offers ample space to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

One of the highlights of Santa Cruz Beach is the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which features a variety of amusement park rides, games, and food options. The boardwalk has been in operation for over a century and is a beloved local landmark. You can ride the iconic Giant Dipper roller coaster, play carnival games, and indulge in classic boardwalk fare such as corn dogs and...