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You are here: Home / Blog / Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz

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Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz

This article highlights the beautiful Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California.

There are certain images that scream California aloud.

If you see a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge or of the Hollywood sign, you would blurt out “California” even without thinking about it.

On the other hand, there are other images of the state that may be not as recognizable by the general public. However, these images would light up the face of any native or long-time California resident.

I like to think that one of those images is located in the Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz.

Do you know how many times I have seen photos of surfers next to the arch located on the beach or how many times I have seen the arch surrounded by a pink sunset halo?

Table of Contents

  • Natural Bridges State Beach
  • Natural Bridges State Beach – Details
  • More of Santa Cruz
    • Related posts:

Natural Bridges State Beach

That is why on my recent visit to Santa Cruz I decided to pay a visit to the famous beach and its rock formation.

The sun was getting low when we parked on a nearby street shaded by trees.  We walked a couple of minutes before sinking our feet in the warm sand.

From the entrance, located on a high point, the entire crescent beach was visible.  While descending to sea level, the arch grew bigger and bigger.  It is possible to walk to the arch during low tide.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

You may have noticed that in the beach’s name the word “bridges” is plural.  This is because there used to be three arches on the beach.  One fell during the early 20th century and the other one in 1980. What we see today is the original middle arch.

This small photo I found on the Internet illustrates how the panorama looked with two arches.

L-natural-bridges

Some people affirm the remaining arch is in a fragile state and that it may fall soon.  The forces of nature are always working.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

There is much more to explore in the area.

Young people seem to have fun climbing the cliffs that encircle the beach.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

The saltwater and freshwater marshes of Moore Creek shelter seagulls, brown pelicans, and cormorants.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

The beach is home to a eucalyptus grove that provides a habitat for Monarch butterflies during their migration.  Large clusters of butterflies (they adopt that formation to protect themselves from the elements) can be seen in the winter (or in nearby Lighthouse State Beach).

Visitors can hike along the reserve using a boardwalk.

On the other side of the beach, an intertidal zone is home to mussels, sea stars, anemones, limpets, and other sea creatures.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

One has to be careful while walking along this area.  The surface can be slippery and the waves crash without consideration.  More than one wave surprised me during my visit.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

At least, it was fun to see the waves making patterns while hitting furiously the rocks.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

When you visit a place like this, do not forget to take a moment to enjoy the details.  The colors on the rocks were amazing. During low tides, you can take a look at the tidepools in the area.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

There are plenty of things to do here but that doesn’t mean you have to do something.  Most visitors relax in the soft sand while surrounded by friends and the gentle breeze.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Remember Natural Bridges Sat Beach is the endpoint (or the beginning point, depending on how you look at it) of the West Cliff Drive (a must in this county).

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Do not miss the cove that can be seen from the parking lot.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

Natural Bridges State Beach – Details

  • The exact address is 2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz
  • A big parking lot is located at the end of West Cliff Drive.  Another parking lot is located at the intersection of West Cliff Drive and Swanton Boulevard.
  • There is free parking along Swanton Boulevard.
  • The beach has restrooms and changing facilities.
  • Please, protect this natural gem if you visit.  Deposit trash in trash cans and follow all posted instructions.

Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California

More of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Boardwalk in Photos

The West Cliff Drive

Seacliff State Beach

Have you been to Natural Arches State Beach?

Related posts:

Things to do in Capitola, Santa Cruz, California, The Venetian CourtThings to Do in Capitola: Color by the Sea Seacliff State Beach and The Palo Alto, Aptos, Santa Cruz, CaliforniaSeacliff State Beach and The Palo Alto Santa Cruz, Boardwalk, Beach Town, Amusement Park, CaliforniaSanta Cruz Boardwalk in Photos McWay Cove and Falls, Big Sur, CaliforniaMcWay Falls: Stunning Spot in Big Sur


53 Comments

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Comments

  1. image-in-ing says

    July 13, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    Isn’t it amazing to see the strength of something as “insubstantial” as water and as “unseeable” as the wind?

    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/07/get-peek-at-those-cute-little-feet.html

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 14, 2015 at 8:38 pm

      I know! This is a panorama that we have today but tomorrow it may not be there. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. Lauren Meshkin @BonVoyageLauren says

    July 13, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    Wow, your photos! Are you sure this place is real?!? I love all of the dramatic colors and rock formations. Thanks for sharing!

    Happy travels 🙂

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 14, 2015 at 8:40 pm

      I love places like this. Especially, when tidepools are visible. I find them fascinating since the the colors, patterns and surfaces can be unique.

      Reply
  3. Eileen says

    July 14, 2015 at 3:07 am

    Pretty views of the coastline. The natural bridges are beautiful. Wonderful post and photos. Enjoy your day!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 14, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks Eileen. I am a fan of natural bridges and arches. I would go around the world visiting the most famous ones.

      Reply
  4. Eileen says

    July 14, 2015 at 3:07 am

    Pretty views of the coastline. The natural bridges are beautiful. Wonderful post and photos. Enjoy your day!

    Reply
  5. Molly says

    July 14, 2015 at 4:57 am

    Beautiful coast line… I always like the coves with rockpools best

    mollyxxx

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 14, 2015 at 8:43 pm

      Molly, I am with you. Here in California we have a tons of coves full of tidepools. Each is unique. Therefore, we have a lot of territory to explore.

      Reply
  6. Andrea says

    July 14, 2015 at 7:18 am

    A drive or hike down that coastline would be amazing! Arches National Park is a favorite too. I guess I just enjoy natural rock formations that are so delicate like this!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 14, 2015 at 8:48 pm

      I haven’t been to Arches National Park but I know I would love it. I dream to go and explore at least for two days.

      Reply
  7. Sally@Toddlers on Tour says

    July 14, 2015 at 7:45 am

    Oh I’ve been to Santa Cruz , but I don’t remember the bridges which is a shame because they look gorgeous.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 14, 2015 at 8:49 pm

      Yes, this is one of the gems of Santa Cruz. Would like to return when the butterflies are around.

      Reply
  8. Lydia C. Lee says

    July 14, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    Amazing photos. The water splashing into the air is just beautiful. I sort of get sad when you see ‘bridges’ collapse. It’s like we’ll never get that again….FOMO I guess. The existential kind.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 14, 2015 at 8:51 pm

      I understand what you say. There was a rock formation in Utah called The Cobra. Since I saw it on a magazine cover, I wanted to visit. Not long time ago, I found out the formation got destroyed during a flash flood. Some natural attractions are not there for us for an unlimited amount of time.

      Reply
  9. Natalie says

    July 15, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    Beautiful images! Thanks for showing us a different side to California- being an Australian, we only hear of the typical tourist sights and attractions, which is a shame.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 16, 2015 at 6:19 pm

      Natalie, I am glad you mention that. California is much more than Hollywood or San Francisco. We have a big variety of landscapes. The state is so big that there is something for each taste.

      Reply
  10. Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says

    July 15, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    Natural bridges are so awesome, they just beg to have their photo taken don’t they

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 16, 2015 at 6:26 pm

      I know. I can spend ages going from one to the other.

      Reply
  11. Bumble Bee Mum says

    July 15, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Thank you for sharing this on Travel Tuesday. This place is so beautiful! When I visited California, I was one of those typical tourist who only knew about Golden Gate and Hollywood. Wish I had known about this place before my trip.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 16, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      Well, you know about many more places now. Next time you visit, you will have plenty of places to hose from.

      Reply
  12. Kathy Marris says

    July 16, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    Beautiful seascapes here! The force of the ocean does some incredible things with rock formations. We have several ‘Natural Bridges’ in Australia and I saw one in Aruba in the Caribbean on our recent cruise trip.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 4:39 pm

      I would like to see Australia’s natural bridges. I have seen photos of some and they are very pretty.

      Reply
  13. Karilyn says

    July 16, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    I have been to Santa Cruz so many times and never been here. Looks fabulous! It is now on the never-ending wish list of things to do in this awesome state!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      If you stop by Santa Cruz again you have to visit. I feel the same way about the never ending things to do in California.

      Reply
  14. Anna says

    July 16, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    it reminds me of the arch in Pfeiffer beach in Big Sur! Indeed some natural structures are ephemeral and forces of nature can change them a lot! At least there is one arch left!!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 4:52 pm

      Anna, I can see the similarity with the arch you are referring to. When I went to Big Sur, Pfeiffer Beach was closed. I go next time I am in the area.

      Reply
  15. Packing my Suitcase says

    July 16, 2015 at 11:24 pm

    This place is amazing!!! WOW, California always surprises me!
    I need to visit it when I return to Cali one day 😀
    Love the photos!!

    Thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes once again 🙂

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks a lot for your kind words. California surprises me to even though I have lived here for a long time.

      Reply
  16. Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says

    July 17, 2015 at 7:01 am

    Beautiful. I love sea arches. Hopefully, no one will be near this one when it collapses. I guess it will just be a column at that point. The coastline around here looks so pretty, especially contrasted against the blue water and the crashing waves.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 4:55 pm

      Like you, I hope nobody gets hurt when the arch collapses. When nature is involved, we are not sure of what is going to happen. The arch can be there for days or for years.

      Reply
  17. Amila @Leisure and Me says

    July 17, 2015 at 7:55 am

    Really love these arches and its captures.Seems like a beautiful beach.

    Reply
  18. Kelly Del Valle says

    July 17, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    Oh my gosh, what BEAUTIFUL photos! Seriously, I just have to get out to the west coast. Maybe next summer… I’ll live vicariously through you until then. 😀

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:03 pm

      Oh…. thanks Kelly. You live in one coast and want to visit the other one. I live in this coast and want to visit the one where you are. We are in the same situation. I guess that is a characteristic of adventurous spirits.

      Reply
  19. Lauren @ Justin Plus Lauren says

    July 17, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    Incredible! It’s amazing to see how nature can change over time, from having two arches to one. I’d love to go there and explore the area. Thanks for joining up with us at #WeekendWanderlust!

    Reply
  20. Laia | colibrist says

    July 17, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    So interesting! Never heard about this bridges… I have never been in California so I do not know much a part from the mentioned Golden Bridge and Hollywood… The old photo with the other arch looks nice, it is a pity that it fall down, but I guess nature must follow its course 🙂

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:05 pm

      Well, to be honest, I didn’t know there were other bridges in the area before visiting. I found the info while doing research for the post. That is one of the things I love more about traveling. You are always learning new things.

      Reply
  21. Jen says

    July 17, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    What an amazingly beautiful place! I’ve been there, but it’s been a very long time. It makes me sad that the bridges are so very fragile. I suppose, though, that when you are talking about water, it is one of those things that is always going to take what is hers.

    Thank you for joining us again this week for Photo Friday!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:14 pm

      Since, you have been there, do you notice changes in the landscape? It will be interesting to talk about how you remember the landscape and how it l0oks now.

      Reply
  22. Fairlie says

    July 17, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    That coastline looks quite similar to the Great Ocean Road here in Victoria, Australia. There’s natural arches there too – plus a few collapses over recent years. Next time I go to the US, I’m determined to get outside the cities and see some of this amazing countryside.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:16 pm

      What you are determined to do sounds so awesome. I mean cities are great but sometimes we need a dose of nature. Here in the States we have a lot of those places.

      Reply
  23. RamblinLove says

    July 18, 2015 at 6:27 am

    This is pretty funny, we both linked up with some sort of natural bridge – you in California and me in Virginia! Your pictures are gorgeous, I’ll have to visit some time.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:22 pm

      Yes, I know. That is so cool. It is a week dedicated to natural bridges promotion!

      Reply
  24. RobRob@TravelLatte(.net) says

    July 18, 2015 at 8:05 am

    Like a few other people, I’ve been in the Santa Cruz area many times but somehow never found this beach! I love inter-tidal zones like this – so much fun to explore. Thanks for sharing and putting Natural Bridges on our radar for the next California trip!

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:26 pm

      Rob, I was under the impression that the bridge was pretty popular and well known. I guess I am wrong. At least, I gave you an idea for your next trip!

      Reply
  25. Paula McInerney says

    July 18, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    I will confess I knew nothing to this natural bridge. It is amazing

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:27 pm

      Thanks Paula. Good to now you discovered something new thru this blog.

      Reply
  26. Anda says

    July 20, 2015 at 12:20 am

    I love this area of California and I never have time to stop and explore it in detail. We are always passing through on our way to San Francisco.

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:35 pm

      I know you feeling Anda. My husband jokes that I want to stop at every millimeter of the coast. In reality, it is difficult to chose what places to visit. I have opted for doing short, in depth trips of several areas.

      Reply
  27. Indah Susanti says

    July 20, 2015 at 10:56 am

    Wow, thank you for the tour! The natural bridges look stunning – I would not pass it when I visit Santa Cruz for sure 🙂

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 21, 2015 at 5:37 pm

      No problem Indah. Great to be able to share some of the wonders of California.

      Reply
  28. Nancie says

    July 22, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    Hi Ruth. What a gorgeous place! That bridge is stunning, and let’s hope it doesn’t collapse any time soon. I would love to see the monarch butterflies. Thanks for linking up this week. #TPThursday

    Reply
    • Ruth says

      July 26, 2015 at 8:59 pm

      Nancie, I wish we can have the bridge in one piece for many more years. It will be sad to loss it.

      Reply

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