Lighthouse Field State Beach - Santa Cruz National And State Park

Full Amenity List

• Picnic Tables
• Restrooms

Descriptions from Across the Web

• Also known as Point Santa Cruz, this area forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay. It is one of the last open headlands in any California urban area. Surfers, tourists, birds - including the rare Black Swift and wintering ... more on California State Parks
• Lighthouse Field State Beach features an open, grassy field across from Lighthouse Point. The area is popular for picnics and family get-togethers. Across the street, Steamer Lane attracts surfers and observers. The lighthouse has a surfing display and, offshore, there is a colony of sea lions.(California State Parks) - Location-Directions: The beach is on West Cliff Drive in downtown Santa Cruz. Waves crash endlessly on the jagged north coast-seals and sea lions seek refuge in the sandycoves and rocky shores throughout the island-springtime wildflowers explode below occasionalsnow-covered peaks-the endemic island jay screeches loudly as it flutters from oak to oak-thetiny island fox seeks fruits and berries along central valley streams, gurgling their way homeward.These are the sights and sounds of giant Santa Cruz Island. DescriptionSanta Cruz is the largest island off the coast of California. Located between Anacapa and SantaRosa Islands, it lies from 19-25 miles off the adjacent mainland coast between Ventura and SantaBarbara. The scenic beauty of Santa Cruz is reflected in its many landforms-two rugged mountain ranges,the highest peaks on the Channel Islands, deep canyons, a central valley, year-round springs andstreams, plus 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine tidepools and expansivebeaches. Lying directly on the boundary between cold northern and warm southern waters, thisisland hosts unique plant, animal, and marine communities representing nearly 1000 miles ofcoastline. According to legend, Santa Cruz Island was named for a priest's staff accidentally left on theisland during the Portola expedition of 1769. A Chumash Indian found the cross-tipped stave andreturned it to the priest. The Spaniards were so impressed that they called this island of friendlypeople "La Isla de Santa Cruz", the Island of the Sacred Cross. Today, Santa Cruz Island is divided between The Nature Conservancy and the National ParkService. The Nature Conservancy owns and manages the western 90% of the island; the ... more on GoingToTheBeach.com, Inc.

Directions

The beach is on West Cliff Drive in downtown Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz

Hours

Park Hours 7:00am to 10:00pm Year round Surf Museum 12:00noon to 4:00pm Wednesday-Monday Closed Tuesday

Other Web Resources

• www.parks.ca.gov
• http://www.visitcalifornia.com