Sumner & Dolphin Beach (Beer Can Beach)
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About Sumner & Dolphin Beach (Beer Can Beach) in Aptos, California
Sumner and Dolphin Beach Access (or “Beer Can Beach” as the locals affectionally call it) is a neighborhood beach access in the Rio Del Mar neighborhood of Aptos, California. It’s a quiet place that is frequented by families who want to play at the water’s edge. Sunbathing and beach walking are excellent here as there are many miles of beach to explore.
This is a wide sandy beach below a bluff with homes and resorts built on top. North of the beach access some of the homes are built at beach level with protective barriers for storm waves. Seascape Beach Resort and Seascape Park are above the beach just to the south.
Dogs are a common sight here as they are allowed on the beach on a leash (but are commonly roaming around off leash and hopefully under voice control).
The access for which the beach is named is near the intersection of Sumner Avenue and Dolphin Drive, but parking is a problem there. From that access, a trail leads under a train trestle and continues downhill to the bottom of a gulch behind the beach using a long set of stairs for the final descent. From the gulch it’s a short walk out to the beach for total distance of almost a quarter-mile from the trailhead. Parking on the streets near the Sumner/Dolphin is not allowed, however there is a bus stop at the intersection if that is your mode of transportation.
The shortest access to Beer Can Beach is down a long set of stairs at 1094 Via Palo Alto where you’ll find some street parking. This access is in a neighborhood so be careful where you park and don’t block any driveways, hydrants, etc.
- Address
- Sumner Ave & Dolphin Dr
Aptos, CA 95003 - Phone
- 831-454-7901
- Park Name
- Dolphin Drive at Sumner Avenue Coastal Access (County Beach)
- Other Names
- Dolphin and Sumner Beach, Palo Alto Beach Access, Bush Gulch
- Owner
- County
- Pet Details
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Fees
- Free parking
- Activities
- Sunbathing, Beach Walking, Surfing
- Amenities
- Train Trestle, Trail, No Facilities
Nearby Beaches
Hidden Beach Park
0.4 miles away
Hidden Beach Park is a small hard-to-find park in a ravine that empties out on a sandy beach in...
Seascape Park Beach
0.5 miles away
Seascape Park is a six-acre county park that sits high on the bluff above the ocean in the Rio...
La Selva Beach
1.3 miles away
La Selva Beach is a private beach with public access near Watsonville. The beachfront community with the same name...
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Lodging
Rio Del Mar Vacation Rentals
0.2 miles away
Rio Del Mar and Aptos don’t have many hotel or resort options, yet this is one of the best...
Seascape Beach Resort
0.4 miles away
With nearly 300 luxurious suites and beach villas, Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos welcomes guests with a full range...
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