69°
Sunny
0%
75
Santa Cruz County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Compact sandy cove featuring an iconic natural sea-arch bridge and one of California's largest monarch butterfly overwintering groves (Oct–Feb). Tidepools at low tide.
Today's Conditions
Great day for a beach walk.
Cool but workable
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Weather
- 69°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 5.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
73 /100
great
67 Sunbathe
80 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
69°F
Sunny
Wind
12 mph
NW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
71°F
Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Wave Height
5.6 ft
16s · SW swell
Barometer
30.06 inHg
1018 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
18 cfu/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:49 AM
Sunset
11:23 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 7:41 AM | Low | -0.6 ft |
| 3:09 PM | High | 3.5 ft |
| 6:27 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
71°
Sunny
0%
75
72°
Mostly Sunny
0%
84
68°
Sunny
0%
75
68°
Sunny
0%
75
68°
Mostly Sunny
5%
75
70°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
9%
75
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
$10 per vehicle ($9 senior); free 20-minute lot plus street parking.
Dogs
Dogs allowed only in the parking lot and picnic areas (leashed); not on the beach, trails, or butterfly grove.
Entry Fee
$10 per vehicle day-use.
Address
2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Natural Bridges State Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Natural Bridges State Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Natural Bridges State Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs allowed only in the parking lot and picnic areas (leashed); not on the beach, trails, or butterfly grove.
Is there an entry fee at Natural Bridges State Beach?
$10 per vehicle day-use.
Are there lifeguards at Natural Bridges State Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Natural Bridges State Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Natural Bridges State Beach?
Amenities at Natural Bridges State Beach include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, visitor center.
When is the water warmest at Natural Bridges State Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Natural Bridges State Beach located?
Natural Bridges State Beach is in Santa Cruz County, CA, at 2531 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS