Right Beaches › California › Santa Cruz
Blacks Beach (180 14th Ave)
4.6★ · 385 Google ratings · Santa Cruz, California
✓ Parking✓ Restrooms✓ Showers✓ Good for kids
At a glance
Parking
Parking lot · 275 yd away · paid · fills up
Access
Hours vary by day
Walk
150 yd · 2 min
Restrooms
Yes · 550 yd away
Cost
Paid parking
Water
62°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Tide
2 ft range today
Children
Reported good for young kids
Length
850 yd of shoreline
Sand
300 yd from the water to the back
Crowds
Quietest Mon 8am
Map of Blacks Beach (180 14th Ave)
Guide
Good to know
Reported good with little kids
Visitors often mention shallow or calm water. This is what reviewers report, not a safety assessment.Mentioned by 5 visitors · 2016–2026
Excellent for dog walking
The long shoreline and off-the-beaten-path location make it a favorite with dog owners for leashed pets.
Visit during off-season or weekday mornings
Winter months and early mornings offer the peaceful, quiet experience many reviewers praise.
Arrive early on weekends
Street parking requires a permit from 11am-5pm on weekends and holidays, and spots fill quickly.
Check tide before walking to Twin Lakes
High tide brings water up to the rocks, making the walk to the far end impassable and wet.
Pack your own trash out
One reviewer reported trash covering the beach, and several remind visitors to take trash with them.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
62°F · overcast
Water
62°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Waves
3.5 ft · 11 s apart
Wind
5 mph from the SW
Shelter
Onshore · wind blowing straight in off the water
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 06:32 | High tide | ↑ |
| 09:16 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 16:18 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:33 AM.
Crowds
When it gets busy
| 8a | 9a | 10a | 11a | 12p | 1p | 2p | 3p | 4p | 5p | 6p | 7p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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QuietBusy
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 180 14th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
🅿 Parking 275 yd from the listing
🌊 Water 150 yd away, about 2 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 550 yd away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
400 yd away · shorter walk
450 yd away · shorter walk
600 yd away · shorter walk
0.8 miles away · shorter walk
0.9 miles away · shorter walk
1.4 miles away · shorter walk
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Blacks Beach?
The nearest mapped parking area is 275 yd from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Blacks Beach?
150 yd in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, about 2 min. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Blacks Beach have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 550 yd from the listing.
When is Blacks Beach least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Mon 8am and the busiest at Sat 4pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
