New Brighton State Beach
High Traffic Alert
This park experiences heavy crowds, especially on weekends.
Check out the similar parks below for a better experience
Popular destination, arrive early for parking
Best: Weekdays before 10am
New Brighton is a beloved Santa Cruz-area beach campground perched on a bluff above Monterey Bay. The campground is sheltered by Monterey pines and offers easy trail access to the sand. With sweeping views of the bay, whale watching opportunities in winter, and a location midway between Santa Cruz and Capitola, it's a perennial favorite for Bay Area campers.
Try These Instead
These parks offer similar experiences with fewer crowds
Natural Bridges State Beach
Iconic sea arch beach and California's largest monarch butterfly overwintering site with exceptional tidepools.
Why go: Similar coastal scenery, wildlife viewing, social atmosphere experience
Around 6 miles away
