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About Bonny Doon Beach in Santa Cruz, California

Boony Doon Beach is a stunning beach backed by dunes and otherwise surrounded by high cliff walls. A creek, Liddell Creek, flows through a tunnel in the rock wall at the back of the beach and flows around the south end of the beach to the ocean. From the parking area you might have to wade across the creek or cross on a log to reach the beach.

The beach is located at the intersection of the Highway 1 and Bonny Doon Road north of Santa Cruz and near the town of Davenport. There is a long paved parking lot along Highway 1 at this spot (parking hours from 8 AM to sunset). Walk across the railroad tracks and down a sandy slope to the beach. Don’t leave valuables visible in cars at any time as break-ins are common unfortunately.

If you want to hike around, there are old double-track farm trails on the bluffs north and south of the beach. The northern trail leads to Shark Fin Cove and the southern one leads to views of Panther Beach and Hole in the Wall.

Bonny Doon has been considered a clothing-optional beach for years. Now that the state of California owns the property it seems that the clothing-free area is at the more secluded north end (beyond the big flat topped rock).

This beach might soon be known as Bonny Doon State Beach, a future California State Park in the Coast Dairies Ranch property acquisition, and hopefully the beach’s reputation will improve.

Note that swimming here can be dangerous due to rip currents.

Address
Cabrillo Hwy and Bonny Doon Rd
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Park Name
Coast Dairies State Park, Bonny Doon State Beach
Owner
State Parks
Pet Details
No dogs allowed on the beach
Fees
Free parking
Activities
Sunbathing, Photography
Amenities
Dunes, Trails, No Facilities
Map of Bonny Doon Beach
Bonny Doon, US
6:23 pm, December 7, 2023
temperature icon 52°F
L: 52° H: 59°
Feels like 50.77 °F few clouds
Wind gusts: 4 m/s
UV Index: 0
Precipitation: 0.01 inch
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 7:08 am
Sunset: 4:51 pm
Humidity 85 %
Pressure1023 mb
Wind 4 m/s

Nearby Beaches

Panther Beach

0.7 miles away

Panther Beach is a popular sandy beach north of Santa Cruz near the hamlet of Davenport. It’s part of...

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Nearby Attractions

Nearby Lodging

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