Lighthouse Field State Beach - Point Santa Cruz, California

Address:Santa Cruz, California

Also known as Point Santa Cruz, Lighthouse Field State Beach forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay and attracts surfers, kayakers, and those looking for just the perfect place for a relaxing stroll or cliffside walk. This beach is a great spot for bird watching and, if you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of the rare Black Swift or a wintering Monarch butterfly, both of which are drawn to this area to avoid freezing weather. Sea lions also like to hang out here on the offshore rocks, so be sure to bring your camera.

Surfing fanatics can visit California's first surfing museum, which is located here, overlooking surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, and is filled with photographs, surfboards, and other interesting items which capture 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz. But be aware that if you come here expecting to watch surfers hit the waves, you could be disappointed, as the water here is often as calm as your bathtub water!