3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park
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About 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz, California
3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park is a secluded sandy beach west of Santa Cruz. It requires quite a hike along the Ohlone Bluffs Trail from the Four Mile Beach parking lot to get here. When you reach 3 Mile Beach, if you don’t find an easy way down from the bluff to the beach keep walking around the double-track trail to the railroad tracks and continue until you find another trail just a little further south.
The Ohlone Bluffs Trail continues farther south to another beach called Strawberry Beach. Because this beach is so tucked way, it is considered clothing-optional by some visitors but it’s illegal and the state park is giving citations now.
If they are not taken, there is room for a couple cars outside the officially signed 3 Mile Beach trailhead across from the address 3050 Coast Road on California Highway 1 (a three mile drive from western Santa Cruz). This parking spot is more direct, but be sure not to block the gate.
- Address
- 3050 Coast Rd
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 - Park Name
- Wilder Ranch State Park
- Other Names
- Three Mile Beach
- Owner
- State Park
- Pet Details
- No dogs allowed on the beach
- Fees
- Free parking
- Activities
- Hiking, Mountain Biking, Birdwatching
- Amenities
- Trails, Wetlands

Nearby Beaches
4 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park
0.6 miles away
4 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park is the most accessible beach open to the public in the...
Strawberry Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park
0.6 miles away
Strawberry Beach is a remote sandy beach in Wilder Ranch State Park north of Santa Cruz, CA. It’s probably...
Sand Plant Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park
1.1 miles away
Sand Plant Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park is at the base of a gulch that connects to a...
Nearby Attractions
Santa Cruz Monarch Butterfly Grove
2.7 miles away
The Santa Cruz Monarch Butterfly Grove is located on the western edge of town in the park at Natural...