Strolling the Sand Strands Along Monterey Bay

Just south of Santa Cruz, two lovely strands with British-sounding names located on Monterey Bay beckon the beach walker. Both New Brighton and Seacliff state beaches host lots of swimmers, surfers and campers.

New Brighton’s half-mile-long beach is backed by bluffs forested with cypress and Monterey pine. Raccoons, deer and other animals inhabit this wooded upland as well as the park’s grassy coastal terrace, where the campground and picnic area are situated. Migrating monarch butterflies winter in the park’s groves.

Seacliff’s most obvious attraction is its odd pier. This pier begins traditionally enough with a 500-foot long wooden structure protruding into Monterey Bay; its extension, however, is something to behold. The wood pier connects to the scuttled Palo Alto, a World War I-era supply ship. A group of coastal entrepreneurs purchased the vessel in 1929, then sank the ship at the end of the pier. The Palo Alto was then remodeled into an amusement center complete with carnival booths, dance hall, restaurant and swimming pool.

These days both the plank and shipboard parts of the pier are popular with anglers hoping to hook halibut, perch, flounder and more. The pier’s far end is reserved for resting and roosting seabirds, including pelicans and cormorants. Migrating California gray whales can frequently be glimpsed from the pier.

Seacliff State Beach has a small visitors center (open Wednesday through Sunday) featuring exhibits that interpret Monterey Bay’s natural history.

Directions to trail head: From California Highway 1 in Santa Cruz, drive four miles south and exit at Park Avenue. Head south 0.1 mile and turn left; after another 0.1 mile turn right into New Brighton State Beach.

You can begin this walk on the bluffs by the picnic area or from the day-use parking area just above the beach at New Brighton’s west end. An access road leads under a train trestle to China Cove, the site of a 19th century Chinese-American fishing camp.

The hike: If you begin from the bluffs, join the 0.2-mile access trail (stairs and a path) that drops to the beach. Those embarking from the China Cove trail head will simply descend a flight of stairs or the park’s access road to the beach. Walk down-coast (that’s east along this section of Monterey Bay).

After half a mile or so, you’ll beachcomb beyond the New Brighton State Beach boundary, then traipse onto Seacliff State Beach. Private residences line the cliffs above. The near view is dominated by the Seacliff Pier, while more distant vistas, on fog-free days, encompass the Monterey Peninsula. What looks like a motor home sales lot above the beach is actually a state park “en route” campground.

Walk onto the curious Seacliff Pier and gaze down-coast. If you’re in the mood for a longer walk, hit the beach. Otherwise, return the way you came.

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Sea Cliff Beach Trail

WHERE: New Brighton and Sea Cliff state beaches.

DISTANCE: From New Brighton State Beach to Sea Cliff State Beach is 3 miles round trip; longer beach walks possible.

TERRAIN: Soft sand backed by bluffs.

HIGHLIGHTS: Mellow Monterey Bay beaches, strange Seacliff Pier.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: California State Parks, Santa Cruz District, 600 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060; tel. (831) 429-2850.