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Visitor Overview

Explore Your Sanctuary

Beaches

Camping

Kayaking

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50 Ways to Get Your Feet Wet in the MBNMS

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  Waddell Beach and Rancho del Oso  

Waddell Beach, named after William Waddell who built a sawmill next to the creek in the 1860's, is now a part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The scenic Skyline-to-the-Sea trail begins at Castle Rock State Park, runs through Big Basin and ends at Waddell Creek Beach. A good place for bird watching is on the inland side of Hwy. 1 in the Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve. The Rancho del Oso's nature and history center has exhibits, an extensive library, and offers weekend nature walks.

[Waddell Creek pano]
Waddell Beach as seen from the parking lot looking west.

The beach is a renown for its windsurfing and hang gliding. With the strong winds and occasionally heavy surf, Waddell Beach is usually not recommended for novice wind surfers.

Facilities include restrooms and a parking lot. For more information about windsurfing try the Windsurfer's Paradise website. For more information about Big Basin State Park call (831) 338-6132 or try the Big Basin State Park website. For more information about Rancho del Oso call (831)-427-2288.

Directions:

  • Waddell Beach adjoins Hwy. 1 about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz.

[Waddell Beach map]

 
   
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URL: http://montereybay.noaa.gov/visitor/access/waddell.html