California Coastal Commission

Natural Bridges State Beach

Photo by Tom Mikkelsen

Natural Bridges State Beach is named for the wave-carved rock arches that have been a visitor attraction since the early days of Santa Cruz; some bridges that were prominent in historic photos have collapsed (as recently as 1980), and only one remains. Natural Bridges State Beach is also a destination for migrating monarch butterflies. The butterflies congregate in the park's eucalyptus groves from October to March, and the park hosts a family-friendly "Welcome Back Monarchs" festival in mid-October. A wheelchair-accessible walkway leads through the butterfly grove. Amenities at the park include a sandy beach, tidepools, dramatic offshore rocks, and picnic facilities. A free short-term parking area allows visitors to take in the view (and is very popular at sunset).

Just west of Natural Bridges is the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, the public education facility of UC Santa Cruz's Long Marine Lab. You'll find aquarium displays, touch tanks, interactive exhibits, a bookstore, tours and children's programs, all dedicated to educating people about the role scientific research plays in the understanding and conservation of the world's oceans. Public trails loop through restored coastal prairie around the Discovery Center, and the world's largest blue whale skeleton can be found on the grounds. A special exhibit of the California Ocean and Coastal Amateur Photography Contest is on display at the Center through the end of March.

For information on Natural Bridges State Park or to borrow a beach wheelchair, call (831) 423-4609. Visit the website at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541.

Visit the Seymour Marine Discovery Center website at seymourcenter.ucsc.edu.

-Excerpt from Experience the California Coast, Beaches and Parks from San Francisco to Monterey, by the California Coastal Commission