New Brighton State Beach

Overview

New Brighton State Beach is a 95-acre California State Park in Capitola (just south of Santa Cruz) on northern Monterey Bay. The park is currently open from 8am to sunset with day use parking at $10. The park features over 100 developed campsites on forested bluffs overlooking the bay, including 11 RV hookup sites (max 36' vehicles). Year-round reservations are available. Important note: The park suffered tremendous damage during the historic winter storms of early 2023, which restricted public access temporarily. California State Parks is conducting a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment as part of the Seacliff Resilience project to build long-term climate resilience. The beach offers swimming, fishing (no license needed from pier), surfing, hiking trails, and a visitor center open Memorial Day to Labor Day (Fridays-Sundays, 11am-5pm). Dogs are allowed on leash (max 6 feet). Climbing the unstable sandstone cliffs is prohibited, and campfires are only allowed in designated fire rings within campsites.