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Sunset State Beach features pine trees, mountainous sand dunes, and ocean side picnic spots. Bordered by large agricultural fields west of the city of Watsonville, the beach is a year-round destination for thousands of visitors.
Getting There
The beach is 16 miles south of Santa Cruz via Highway One and San Andreas Road.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The beach is 16 miles south of Santa Cruz via Highway One and San Andreas Road.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.
Operating Hours & Contact
Please contact the beach for hours of operation.
Telephone: 831-763-7062
Please contact the beach for hours of operation.
Telephone: 831-763-7062
Camping
The park has 90 shady, dune-protected family sites without hookups that can accommodate recreational vehicles up to 31 feet.
Make Campground Reservations
Max Camper Length: 31 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 31 Feet
The park has 90 shady, dune-protected family sites without hookups that can accommodate recreational vehicles up to 31 feet.
Make Campground Reservations
Max Camper Length: 31 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 31 Feet
Activities
Fishing: Surf perch, sardines and occasional striped bass are caught here. A sport fishing license is required.
Picnicking: To reserve two large ramadas for special events call (831) 429-2857.
Glider Port: Remote control glider enthusiasts will find a glider port at this beach.
Fishing: Surf perch, sardines and occasional striped bass are caught here. A sport fishing license is required.
Picnicking: To reserve two large ramadas for special events call (831) 429-2857.
Glider Port: Remote control glider enthusiasts will find a glider port at this beach.
Landscape
Sunset State Beach supports four major plant communities and associated wildlife.
Coastal scrub: Mock heather, bush lupine, beach sagewort, Monterey and robust spineflower, coyote brush, poison oak, sand gilia and seaside woolly sunflower cover the sandy slopes and dunes. Wildlife includes brush rabbits, dusky-footed wood rats, western fence lizards and pacific gopher snakes. Song sparrows, rufoussided towhees, American kestrels, redtailed hawks and Anna’s hummingbirds are common.
Coastal woodlands: Introduced Monterey pine, Bishop pine, and Monterey cypress are dominant. They support an understory of coyote brush and sea fig that shelters California pocket mice, pinyon mice, chestnut-backed chickadees and Steller’s jays. Eucalyptus trees are a gathering place for monarch butterflies.
Dune mat/Coastal strand: Park managers are replacing the habitat-destroying European dune grass with native beach bur, sand verbena and beach sagewort to attract white-crowned sparrows, California towhees, and dark-eyed juncos. The mouth of the Pajaro River shelters California brown pelicans, Caspian, elegant and royal terns, and California gulls. Deer mice and brush rabbits live in low dune vegetation. Reptiles include black legless lizards, northern alligator lizards and coast garter snakes.
Marshlands: The coast gum plant, pickleweed and coastal salt grass of salt marsh areas attract cinnamon teals, savannah sparrows, meadow mice and raccoons. The willow, California bulrush and broad leaf cattail in the wetlands at the mouth of the Pajaro River provide food and habitat for cinnamon teals, mallards, American bitterns, red wing blackbirds and long-billed marsh wrens.
Sunset State Beach supports four major plant communities and associated wildlife.
Coastal scrub: Mock heather, bush lupine, beach sagewort, Monterey and robust spineflower, coyote brush, poison oak, sand gilia and seaside woolly sunflower cover the sandy slopes and dunes. Wildlife includes brush rabbits, dusky-footed wood rats, western fence lizards and pacific gopher snakes. Song sparrows, rufoussided towhees, American kestrels, redtailed hawks and Anna’s hummingbirds are common.
Coastal woodlands: Introduced Monterey pine, Bishop pine, and Monterey cypress are dominant. They support an understory of coyote brush and sea fig that shelters California pocket mice, pinyon mice, chestnut-backed chickadees and Steller’s jays. Eucalyptus trees are a gathering place for monarch butterflies.
Dune mat/Coastal strand: Park managers are replacing the habitat-destroying European dune grass with native beach bur, sand verbena and beach sagewort to attract white-crowned sparrows, California towhees, and dark-eyed juncos. The mouth of the Pajaro River shelters California brown pelicans, Caspian, elegant and royal terns, and California gulls. Deer mice and brush rabbits live in low dune vegetation. Reptiles include black legless lizards, northern alligator lizards and coast garter snakes.
Marshlands: The coast gum plant, pickleweed and coastal salt grass of salt marsh areas attract cinnamon teals, savannah sparrows, meadow mice and raccoons. The willow, California bulrush and broad leaf cattail in the wetlands at the mouth of the Pajaro River provide food and habitat for cinnamon teals, mallards, American bitterns, red wing blackbirds and long-billed marsh wrens.
Accessible Features
Picnic Area
North Beach Access Area: Several accessible picnic tables are on asphalt pads in this accessible picnic area. However no wheelchair accessible restroom is currently available in this area at this time. There is a generally accessible restroom at the South Day Use area. Two van accessible spaces are at the North Beach Access lot.
A beach wheelchair is available on first come basis. Getting to Palm Beach requires climbing a 20-foot high sand dune. Call (831) 763-7063 for beach wheelchair use information.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!Picnic Area
North Beach Access Area: Several accessible picnic tables are on asphalt pads in this accessible picnic area. However no wheelchair accessible restroom is currently available in this area at this time. There is a generally accessible restroom at the South Day Use area. Two van accessible spaces are at the North Beach Access lot.
A beach wheelchair is available on first come basis. Getting to Palm Beach requires climbing a 20-foot high sand dune. Call (831) 763-7063 for beach wheelchair use information.
Nearby Community Trips
