New Brighton Beach - Capitola, California

Address:Capitola, California

Once called China Beach because of the Chinese fishermen who built camps and docked their boats here, New Brighton State Beach is a 95-acre park where you can play in the sand and camp out where history was made. Every visitor to New Brighton will love breathing in the coastal breeze blended with the scent of brine, pine and eucalyptus. The Beach extends from Capitola Beach to the mouth of the Pajaro River and, in addition to sunning and swimming in Monterey Bay, visitors are invited to go surfing, fishing, and kayaking, or enjoy a family picnic in the designated areas.

Those who want to spend some quality time here, are invited to camp out overnight on one of 112 camping sites (on a first come, first served basis) and take advantage of the views of Coastal Live Oak and Monterey pine, along with the convenient electrical hookups and water. Amenities at New Brighton include restrooms and showers, and there's food, lodging, and supplies available nearby as well.

There's plenty of great nature to enjoy here, from the local wild berry vines, to the monarch butterflies that journey from the north to spend the winter here in the late summertime. The hiking trails are a great way to enjoy it all. If you're really a nature fanatic, inquire with the local rangers about the nature programs available here.