Right Beaches › California › Santa Cruz
Lighthouse Field State Beach
4.7★ · 4,035 Google ratings · Santa Cruz, California
✓ Parking✓ Restrooms✓ Showers✓ Picnic tables✓ Free
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 125 yd away · about 21 spaces · free · fills up
Accessibility
Step-free entrance
Walk
200 yd · 3 min
Restrooms
Yes · 275 yd away
Cost
Free
Water
61°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Tide
2 ft range today
Length
425 yd of shoreline
Sand
310 ft from the water to the back
Water quality
Good · all 10 samples clean · 2025
Crowds
Quietest Tue 8am
Map of Lighthouse Field State Beach
1
1Parking125 yd from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Best for off-leash dogs
The enclosed dog beach has natural rock barriers on both ends and a single stairway entrance, creating.
Watch sunset and surfers
The cliff-top location offers stunning sunset views and direct sightlines to skilled surfers at nearby Steamer Lane.
Free parking reported
Visitors report no charge to park here.Mentioned by 4 visitors · 2017–2026
Arrive early on weekends
Parking fills quickly during peak times, especially weekends, holidays, and when surf is good.
Steep stairs challenge mobility
The only beach access is via steep stairs with no alternative route for those with mobility concerns.
Bring water for dogs
There is no water source on the dog beach, so bring your own for your dog to drink.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
62°F · overcast
Water
61°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Waves
3.9 ft · 11 s apart
Wind
6 mph from the SW
Shelter
Cross-shore · wind running along the beach
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 06:32 | High tide | ↑ |
| 09:16 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 16:18 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:29 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
📍 644-670 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
🅿 Parking 125 yd from the listing
🌊 Water 200 yd away, about 3 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 275 yd away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
0.7 miles away · shorter walk
0.7 miles away · shorter walk
0.9 miles away · shorter walk
1.1 miles away · shorter walk
1.3 miles away · shorter walk
1.4 miles away · shorter walk
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Lighthouse Field State Beach?
The nearest mapped parking area is 125 yd from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Lighthouse Field State Beach?
200 yd in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, about 3 min. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Lighthouse Field State Beach have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 275 yd from the listing.
When is Lighthouse Field State Beach least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Tue 8am and the busiest at Sun 3pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
