69°
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
0%
67
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 Today
Patchy fog before 9am. Partly sunny. High near 69, with temperatures falling to around 67 in the afternoon. West wind 0 to 8 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. West northwest wind around 7 mph.
Weather
- 69°F air — cool but workable
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 61°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
61 /100
good
49 Swim
67 Sunbathe
80 Walk
80 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
69°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Wind
0 to 8 mph
W
Rain
0%
Today
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
70°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Drizzle
Water
Water Temp
61°F
Cold
Next High Tide
8:05 PM
5.6 ft · in 5.3h
Barometer
29.95 inHg
1014 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
18 cfu/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:50 AM
Sunset
11:31 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:03 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 9:47 AM | High | 3.2 ft |
| 1:31 PM | Low | 2.6 ft |
| 8:05 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
70°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Drizzle
1%
67
66°
Slight Chance Drizzle then Mostly Sunny
3%
67
72°
Sunny
0%
75
70°
Mostly Sunny
0%
68
66°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
2%
68
65°
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
2%
68
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
- recommended Wetsuit or expect a chill Water is 61°F
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