Camping

Sunset State Beach features pine trees, mountainous sand dunes, and oceanside picnic spots. Bordered by large agricultural fields west of the city of Watsonville, the beach is a year-round destination for thousands of visitors.

PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. Fees include entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle/trailer. Additional vehicles not towed in will be charged an extra vehicle fee. Campers registering with discount passes—e.g. Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veteran Pass (POW)—must present discount card and picture ID at check-in time. Discount pass holder must be present when registering and while camping. Registration tags are non-transferable. Day use and annual passes are not valid in campground.

CHECK-OUT TIME is noon. Check-in time is 2pm. When checking out early, campers should inform entrance station staff to receive a refund for unused days.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES (RVs): Only 1 recreational vehicle per site. Do not wash vehicles or hose down campsites.

DUMP STATION: Water and a sanitation station are available at New Brighton State Beach. There is a $10 fee for use of the dump station. The price per campsite does not include the use of a dump station. If coming to the park to just use the dump station, visitors will have to pay a day use fee and a separate dump fee.

OCCUPANCY/PARKING: Only one RV and a maximum of eight persons allowed per campsite. A maximum of 2 extra vehicles are allowed at each site. No two RVs may camp at the same time in a single campsite. The maximum consecutive stay is seven days. When the maximum stay is over, the person(s), equipment, and/or vehicle(s) must vacate the campground for a period of 48 hours before returning. Additionally, camping is restricted to a limit of 30 days by the person(s), equipment, and/or vehicle(s).Vehicles must be parked within a designated campsite or in overflow lots on pavement. No part of any vehicle may extend into the road.  

DOGS must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under human control at all times. Dogs must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night. Please clean up after your pets. Due to environmentally sensitive areas, dogs (with the exception of service dogs), are not allowed on Sunset State Beach.
 

QUIET HOURS are from 10pm-6am. Generators may be operated only between the hours of 10am-8pm.

CAMPFIRES Fires must be confined to camping stoves, state park fire rings, or state park day-use grills. Fires are not allowed in makeshift rock fire rings, on tables, on the ground, or in sand. Beach bonfires are permitted in state-provided fire rings, seasonally placed at Sunset State Beach.
 

ALCOHOL and glass containers are not allowed beyond your campsite.

INCLIMENT WEATHER during the Fall/Winter season may infrequently cause the park to close and park visitors to be relocated. If this is the case, campers will have the option to receive a full refund from the day of evacuation or be relocated to another park in the Santa Cruz District based upon availability.