7am to Sunset
Lighthouse Field State Beach
This park unit is fully open. State Parks will continue to use a monitor and adapt strategy to meet any new guidance it may receive from local and state public health officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly, especially for the elderly, immune-compromised and the unvaccinated.
COVID-19 Guidelines (January 7, 2022)
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.
COVID-19 Guidelines (January 7, 2022)
Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:
- Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
- Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
- Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
- Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to meet guidance from local and state public officials as COVID-19 is still present and still deadly. Current state guidance requires that masks must be worn in all indoor public settings, such as museums and visitor centers, irrespective of vaccine status through February 15, 2022. Read the latest COVID-19 guidance at COVID19.ca.gov.
Phone Number
(831) 423-4609
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs not allowed on beach.
Driving Directions to Lighthouse Field SB
The beach is on West Cliff Drive in downtown Santa Cruz.Online reservations are not available for this park.
No online brochures available for this park.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Geocaching
Historical/Cultural Site
Fishing
Interpretive Exhibits
Beach Area
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Outdoor Showers
Drinking Water Available
Parking
Restrooms
Outdoor Showers
Drinking Water Available
Please be advised, Lighthouse Field SB is one of the few California State Parks that does not accept the Annual Day Use Pass.
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 Monarch butterflies are drawn to this area. Sea lions populate the offshore rocks.
This is one of the places where Monarch butterflies winter along the California coast. Monarchs are unique because they migrate each winter to avoid freezing weather. The Monarchs wintering here, come from west of the Rocky Mountains. Monarchs east of the Rockies go to central Mexico for the winter.
Lighthouse Field State Beach has the distinction of being home to California's first surfing museum. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse at Lighthouse Point on West Cliff Drive. Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting items tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz.
Among many noteworthy community events, Lighthouse Field State Beach hosts "Caroling Under the Stars" each Christmas, a Santa Cruz tradition which attracts hundreds of locals and visitors.