Right Beaches › California › Watsonville
Sunset State Beach - California State Parks
4.6★ · 227 Google ratings · Watsonville, California
✓ Parking✓ Restrooms
At a glance
Parking
40 ft away · about 32 spaces · paid
Walk
275 yd · 3 min
Restrooms
Yes
Cost
Paid parking
Water
61°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Tide
3 ft range today
Sand
330 ft from the water to the back
Water quality
Good · all 5 samples clean · 2025
Crowds
Quietest Mon 7pm
Map of Sunset State Beach - California State Parks
1
2
1Parking2Drinking water70 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Time your visit for sunset
Several reviewers specifically praised the sunset views as a highlight worth planning your day around.
Visit on weekdays for solitude
Reviewers consistently report the beach stays uncrowded on weekdays, making it ideal for peaceful walks and quiet time.
Leash dogs and avoid restricted areas
The Snowy Plover nesting area requires dogs on leash; one reviewer had his dog off-leash in a prohibited zone.
Watch for ticks if camping
One camper reported pets became infested with ticks during an overnight stay, requiring immediate inspection.
Expect a significant walk from parking
Beach access requires walking over dunes at least a short distance, with some parking areas a mile from sand.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
62°F · overcast
Water
61°F · modelled, no buoy nearby
Waves
3.7 ft · 11 s apart
Wind
6 mph from the WSW
Shelter
Onshore · wind blowing straight in off the water
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 06:42 | High tide | ↑ |
| 10:09 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 16:50 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:35 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
📍 Sunset Beach Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076
🅿 Parking 40 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 275 yd away, about 3 min walk
Nearby
Other beaches close by
0.7 miles away · shorter walk
0.8 miles away · shorter walk
2.3 miles away · shorter walk
2.3 miles away · shorter walk
2.6 miles away · shorter walk
2.8 miles away · shorter walk
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Sunset State Beach - California State Parks?
The nearest mapped parking area is 40 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Sunset State Beach - California State Parks?
275 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 Sunset State Beach - California State Parks have restrooms?
No restrooms are mapped within 600 m on OpenStreetMap. That means nobody has mapped any, which is not the same as there being none.
When is Sunset State Beach - California State Parks least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Mon 7pm and the busiest at Sat 3pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
