New Brighton State Beach
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About New Brighton State Beach in Capitola, California
New Brighton State Beach is a wide sandy beach at the north end of Monterey Bay. This state park has a large hillside campground in a wooded area surrounded by homes in Capitola and Aptos.
Inside the park there are hiking trails to explore and they are open to dogs if they are on a leash.
Since there are lifeguards in the summer months and protection from the west in Soquel Cove, this beach is safer for small kids and for swimmers most of the time.
West of the beach the cliffs are steep and the shoreline is narrow and rocky. This beach (aka China Beach) is best at low tide. There are trails on the bluff in this area but it seems that the park is discouraging their use.
To the east (south) you can walk for miles to Seacliff State Beach and far beyond.
For directions to New Brighton State Beach, take the Park Ave exit off Highway 1 and head toward the water. Signs point you to the state park and then (after paying the appropriate fee) they will direct you to either the camping area or the day-use area.
- Address
- Park Ave and McGregor Dr
Capitola, CA 95010 - Park Name
- New Brighton State Beach
- Other Names
- China Beach, Escalona Gulch
- Owner
- State Park
- Pet Details
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Fees
- Fees for day-use parking and camping
- Activities
- Fishing, Swimming, Camping, Hiking, Beach Walking, Bonfires
- Amenities
- Campground, Trails, Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Fire Pits, Accessible Features
60°F
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Reviews
Great beach for walking. It starts with a trail then just beach with a tree covered hill behind it and then a bunch of beachfront homes. If you want to walk more, you can take the trail up into the campground to walk around. At low tide you can walk to the west on the beach to an area known as China Beach.