Sunset State Beach

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The parking lot is open and camping has reopened. Visitors must wear masks at the kiosks for day use entry in accordance with Santa Cruz County health order. A limited number of campsites are available by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.

About

NOTICE: Interpretive events are back!

Here are some guidelines for people visiting Sunset State Beach:

Restrooms are partially reopened.
Visitors must wear masks at the kiosks for day use entry in accordance with the Santa Cruz County health order. Credit card payments are encouraged.
Camping with reservations and walk-up first-come, first-served (see details below) is available.

What is currently closed at this park?

Picnic tables and gathering spots
Special events

Get more information on the California State Parks response to COVID-19 here.

The historic Van Laanen farm provides the backdrop for this large park at the south end of Santa Cruz County. Surrounded by fertile farmland, Sunset State Beach features a wooded campground, picnic area, group campground, and 200-foot high dunes (the largest in the country) built up in front of coastal bluff. The beach itself stretches down to where it meets the mouth of the Pajaro River, giving 3 miles of unobstructed and spectacular shoreline.

Visitors enjoy broad vistas of the Monterey Bay from two main overlooks. During the summer and autumn, it is possible to see large groups of bottlenose dolphins. The beach features pine trees, mountainous sand dunes and ocean-side picnic spots.

Learn more in the California State Parks brochure.

Operating Hours

Day-Use Area 8 a.m. to Sunset

Directions

The beach is 16 miles south of Santa Cruz. Take Highway 1, exit on San Andreas Road, and follow signs south.

Things to do

Picnic Area

To reserve two large ramadas for special events at Sunset State Beach, call (831) 464-6290.

Beach Area

Visitors enjoy swimming, surfing, windsurfing, fishing and boating.

Fishing

Surf perch, sardines and striped bass may be caught. A sport-fishing license is required.

Hiking Trails

Explore the dune area and the campground.

Bonfires

Beach fires are allowed in park-provided fire rings.

Accessibility

Beach wheelchairs are available for use. Reservations are recommended. Contact the State Park Special Events Office at SCD.specialevents@nullparks.ca.gov or 831-335-8487, Monday to Thursday excluding holidays, between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. Email is preferred.

Fees and Passes

Parking is $10 and supports the park. Visitors must wear masks at the kiosks for day use entry in accordance with the Santa Cruz County health order. Credit card payments are encouraged.

Annual State Parks passes also are available to purchase at the entrance kiosk.

Services

Picnic tables and barbecues
Fire rings
Camping areas (including large group camping)
Restrooms
Showers (Camping showers are 25 cents; bring quarters.)
Interpretive programs
Beach wheelchairs are available to borrow for day use. Contact the State Park Special Events Office by email or 831-335-8487, Monday to Thursday excluding holidays, between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm. to make a reservation. (Email is preferred.) Learn more in this FAQ.

Camping

The campground is open year-round. There are 91 camping sites, one bicycle site and one group site. Call 800-444-7275 or go online for reservations. South Camp (sites 1-37) are open year-round. Dunes and Pine Hollow camps (sites 38-90), as well as the Group Camp, are open March 15-Oct. 31.

Maximum trailer and camper/motorhome length is 31 feet.

Field Trips

Field trips are offered. Learn more.

Regulations

Alcohol is not allowed on the beach or in day-use areas.
A fishing license is required.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach. They are allowed in campsites, on leashes no longer than 6 feet.
Do not feed or leave food out for wildlife.
Fires must be confined to fire rings provided.