Sunset State Beach

Sunset State Beach is located on Monterey Bay west of the inland city of Watsonville, California. This is a popular state park with campgrounds, day-use picnic facilities, and a two-mile long sandy beach backed by gorgeous dunes.

The main unit of Sunset State Park has two separate day-use parking lots: Upper Ramada Picnic Area (near the park entrance) and Lower Ramada Picnic Area (at the end of the park road – known as Shell Road). Both areas have picnic tables and covered picnic areas with barbeques. In between these parking lots are camping areas that can accommodate tents and RVs up to 31 feet long. Trails lead from the campgrounds up over the dunes and down to Sunset Beach. An RC glider flying area located across from the south campground provides an excellent viewpoint of the beach from above.

Walking south on the beach leads to another separate day-use area in Sunset State Beach called Palm Beach. Walking north on the beach is a great beachcombing area that eventually reaches Manresa State Beach in La Selva Beach, California.

To get to Sunset State Beach, take San Andreas Road from La Selva Beach and then turn onto Sunset Beach Road which leads to the entrance station. There is a fee for day-use privileges but it’s worth the price of admission.

Rules for the beach and day-use areas prohibit alcohol, dogs, horses, drones, and fires, except in the fire rings provided by the park.

Address

223 Sunset Beach Rd
Watsonville, CA 95076

Phone

831-763-7063

Park Name

Sunset State Beach

Owner

State Park

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach, but they are ok in campgrounds if on a leash.

Fees

Fees for parking and camping

Activities

Picnicking, Camping, Beachcombing, Beach Walking, Surfing, Windsurfing, Geocaching, Fishing

Amenities

Campgrounds, Picnic Tables, BBQs, Group Picnic Areas, Dunes, Restrooms, Lifeguards, Remote Control Glider Port, Accessible Features

Links

Water Quality
Water Temps
Tide Chart
Surf Report