MBNMS: Natural Bridges State Beach

This large pocket beach was originally named for the two natural bridges marking the entrance. Storm waves collapsed one of the bridges leaving the one bridge and a gap in the rocks as seen in the photograph above. The parking lot above the beach is an excellent vantage point for watching large storm waves coming into shore during the winter months and for observing birds on the offshore rocks.

Just north of the beach, is a large rocky shelf which supports a rich tide pool habitat. At low tides these pools are a great location for seeing sea anemones, limpets, sea urchins, sea stars, barnacles, and California mussels.

A trail leads to the large eucalyptus grove in the middle of the park. This grove is the largest site in the United States for overwintering Monarch butterflies. The best times to see the Monarchs is from September through February.

Facilities include ample parking, wheel-chair accessible restrooms and a visitor center with exhibits that interpret the parks natural features. For more information, call (831) 423-4609 or check the Natural Bridges State Beach website.

Directions:

From Hwy 1 (Mission Blvd.) in north Santa Cruz, turn onto Swift St. towards the ocean.
When, Swift ends at the ocean, turn right onto West Cliff Dr.
Follow West Cliff into the parking lot at Natural Bridges.

[Natural Bridges map]