Natural Bridges State Beach

One of the first things we noticed when we arrived at Natural Bridges State Beach was the colorful kites in the sky and kids building sandcastles – it instantly captured that playful, laid-back vibe Santa Cruz is known for. The ocean sparkled a bright blue, and people dashed into the chilly waves beneath the Natural Bridge.

Fun fact: there used to be more of these natural rock arches, but today, just one remains.

The rocky cliff faces on either side of the beach were absolutely covered in mussels and barnacles, a reminder of the marine life along this stretch of coast. It’s a cool spot to explore up close during low tide.

There’s also a scenic trail that winds through coastal scrub and grassy meadows – ideal for spotting wildflowers and wildlife if you’re lucky.

Oh, and here’s something really special: Natural Bridges State Beach is actually a Monarch Butterfly Preserve! We didn’t catch them on this trip, but if you’re visiting in the fall or winter, it’s definitely worth checking out.