New Brighton State Beach Camping – Day Use Activities

New Brighton State Beach is located in the Monterey Bay area. This popular northern California State Beach is a 93-acre park with close to one mile of shoreline, a group picnic area, and a campground on the bluffs overlooking the beach with campsites and parking spots for day use.

Because the shoreline at New Brighton State Beach is inside a protected cove, the waves are smaller than in other areas of Monterey Bay. The gentle waves are one of the attractions at New Brighton; because they are light, New Brighton is a better beach for kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, or even surfing, especially for beginners.

Whether you wish to visit the park for a day or spend a weekend or week camping there, New Brighton Beach State Park is a rewarding destination less than a two-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Depending on the time of year, you may see migrating whales from the beach or the bluff. You may spot bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, or ever-playful sea otters anytime. Only one view of these creatures would be reason enough to make the trip!

Monarch Butterflies & Bird Watching

A wintertime treat is the view of migrating monarch butterflies during their yearly migration. The best time to see the monarchs is from mid-October through February, and the best place in the park to look for them is in clusters of trees, whether Eucalyptus or pine trees.

For birding fans, the habitats in this 93-acre state park present many opportunities to view native birds. Looking closely, you might be rewarded with seeing Stellar’s jays or chestnut-backed chickadees, among many other species.

New Brighton State Beach Hiking

New Brighton sports at least two hiking trails if you are interested. One of these trails goes from the top of the bluffs at the campground to the beach.

The other 3-mile trail is across the beach until you reach Seacliff State Beach. If you are interested in fossils, you might be able to see some of the rocks along the way during your walk to Seacliff. Most of them date from the Pliocene area and, in geological terms, are relatively recent – only 2.5 – 5 million years old.

Be sure not to take any of the fossils with you, as they are legally protected from being disturbed. Still, it’s not every day you get to travel millions of years back in time!

New Brighton Beach History

For thousands of years, the Ohlone Indians inhabited this region. Unfortunately, their population was significantly reduced by illness and cultural changes after the arrival of European settlers. Some of Ohlone’s descendants still practice their ancient traditions and crafts.

During the Gold Rush era in California, New Brighton Beach was a popular spot for Chinese fishers. They would dock their boats in the bay and make a living from fishing. However, due to the anti-Chinese movement, the Chinese presence at New Brighton Beach ended around 1900.

New Brighton State Beach Camping

The campground at New Brighton Beach State Park is very popular during the summertime, so making reservations is a good idea if you want to camp there—the best Campsites are at New Brighton State Beach. Sites 73 -79, 82, 87, 88, and 90 are on the bluff and have ocean views. These campsites are considered premium and cost more than regular sites. 47 to 56 are the only sites with hookups.

The campground has electricity and water but no sewer hookups. There is a dump station, though. The sites can accommodate RVs that are up to 36 feet long. The restrooms at the camp are fully functional and include hot showers, although the hot showers need to be paid for. Campground Reservations

New Brighton Beach Visitor Center

The visitor center at New Brighton Beach contains exhibits exploring the history of migrations into the Pacific Northwest by the various peoples who have made the area their home.

It also has exhibits that tell the viewer about the migrations of the animals that live in the sea around New Brighton, including migratory whales in the winter. In the summer, it is open Wednesday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Park Activities

During the summer, check with the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks to see what activities are scheduled at the park; some of these activities may include guided walks that focus on the history of New Brighton Beach, the fossils at New Brighton, or the history of New Brighton.

Some children’s activities, including arts and crafts, may also be scheduled during the summer. Also, New Brighton Beach participates in California’s Junior Ranger Program, designed for children ages 7-12, to provide insights into the park’s geology, ecology, flora, and fauna.

New Brighton State Beach is located east of Santa Cruz in the city. 1500 Park Ave, Capitola, California.

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