Nice beach for surfers with a small parking lot and flushing toilets

One of our go to walking trails in Santa Cruz. This is a great place to park and have about a 2 mile walk along East Cliff to see the ocean and all the surfers along Pleasure Point. There are public restrooms at this park and picnic tables. The reason I give this park only 3 stars is that there is also a lot of homeless people that spend their days here using the showers and hanging out in the parking lot. It makes it less comfortable sometimes and I wonder if my car is safe here. That said, in over 20 years of coming here I have never had a problem to report, so as long as you lock your car and are here during the day, it seems completely safe.

Its a small patch of beach that surfers and locals use. during low tide you can walk to neighboring beaches. small free parking and (stinky) bathrooms + outdoor shower. however theres a fair share of unwanteds that go there after dark. also a lot of dogs here which means the sand is not as clean. even if they pick up the poop there are bacteria in dog feces that can cause serious illness to humans if it enters through a sore. most the humans encourage their dog to do it in the surf, which is just as bad. i would like to see some no dogs beaches in the area personally because of the bad behavior of the dog owners

Small beach access parking is good but on busy days gets full quickly.

Nice little neighborhood beach and park. Great place to relax or take a short nature hike. Beautiful views of Santa Cruz to the west.

We liked the beach front. Soft sand and not too far restroom.

Yet another beautiful greenbelt here in SC. 5 stars if there wasnt a couple spots with poison oak (easily avoided as its well off trail).

Been going here since I was a kid. Nice place

Used to be a clean beach area. Now full of debris. Looking for a different place. Such a shame. Was my go to place.

Beach is beautiful, but use the bathroom before you go

Good sand, big waves

My uncle owned a little cottage on moran way......#12 to be exact....we would go fishing and caught lingcod...flownder and sometimes a big halibit...now perch is about the only fair there is...i learned to surf at 26 wind and sea as well as santa maria...all accessible from moran lake...i love this place and have been enjoying this place from 1966 to this day and will till i die...peace.

One of the few places near the beach with public parking, with walking trails and picnic tables, and restrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off the sand.

One of the best parks in the area

Love this place for the free parking (when you can get it), the fact it has a rest room (if ever desperate) and how handy for the beach it is. Just walk across the street. Loses one star due to the sometimes sketchy people congregating there. That being said, no one ever bothered or harassed me when there (usually in the evenings). So worth checking out if youre heading to the beach.

The beach across the way is my real favorite tho

Its a nice and small beach so you wont be bothered, however it is located in the residential parts so please be respectful of that and others. Bonfires are allowed I believe but even if not the police are rather lenient so help us keep them that way. Its a nice view and always relaxing to hear the sounds of the waves crashing. Come by and enjoy the night!

Nice walk along the river but gets muddy when it rains

Great place away fromall the tourist

Favorite local spot. Love thw convenience of the parking lot.

This beach is alrightId give it a 5 for bonfires, a 3 for pictures, and a 5 for hanging out with friends.Overall my experiences at this beach have been pretty alright. Have a nice dayKind regards,McCay

Great as. Walking and biking throughway

I feel like Im giving away a local well guarded SECRET but its one I have to share its just too amazing to keep to myself I just found hidden TREASURE( and have lived here since 1982) I had no idea there was so many hidden trails and this marsh and beach is absolutely breathtaking. you didnt hear that from me wink wink

This is a dog friendly beach, perfect for families or a nice, romantic evening. Its one of the few local beaches with a free parking lot, though parking is sparse during peak beach times.

Pretty beach, not too crowded. Convenient showers to rinse off legs and feet for adults and kids. Parking close by. Definitely recommend.

Nice, peaceful walking trail

Clean. Quiet. Dog friendly but has limited parking and outdoor showers to rinse off.

Small beach just around the corner from pleasure point. Great ocean view, family and dog friendly. Watch the surf and sunset over westside of town here.

Convenient beach to get to, tide was low enough to walk quite a distance and its great having bathroom and foot rinsing facilities!

Beautiful local beach. Can have some huge waves! Enjoy

Aka WiND & Sea,BeCauSe THe WiND iS STRoNG & uNSToPPaBLe.....

I love coming here. Not many tourists, and theres public parking and bathrooms. Evening bonfires are sweet.

Its cheap but cheerful. You wont find the hoi polloi here, just regular folks. I low key love it

Nice quite place to beThere is a trail through the eucalyptus trees, very comfortingNice panoramic view of the oceanFor me a place to think or kick back and relax

Its a privately public local tourist trap beach

Any place where the water meets the land, and viceversa, is worth visiting.

Beautiful scenes from marsh to ocean. And such a peaceful night for some sound healing :)

Excellent coastal landscapes

A great place to access the beach and water without having to deal with stairs!

Wonderful sm but popular locals beach, very steep drop off. Wonderful- tanning time for all!

Small beach. Nice stroll around the lake area.

Great getaway for the day, and your able to have camp fires late in the evening on the beach with friends or pets.

Small beach area. I have never seen it crowded. Limited parking. Beautiful scenery

Its a beautiful place,

Quiet beach, steps that lead to beach.

Good beach access, free parking, flush toilets. Would be nice to have safety steps or ramp for disabled or elderly.

Not fancy, but a nice place for a picnic lunch

Absolutely freeeeeeezing!!!! But Im from Fresno where you can cook eggs on the ground in the summer. Haha it was nice though. Theres a parking lot across the street but not very big. Nice little spot to play in the water or not if youre like me and dont like any kind of cold water. If you go make sure you bring sweaters, blankets and large umbrella to block the wind.

Sadly lots of garbage

Always great place to put your feet in the sand

Here the ocean and land merge into a lake, Lake Moran. What a beautiful sight parking provided, family friendly, picture perfect right before you get to capitola....

How was Moran Lake park? Besides some homeless tweaker babbling to a woman sitting on a bench trying to nurse her baby, it was great.i felt sorry for the woman as she was alone.

Broad family oriented beach. Usually a mellow shore break for wave tag. Free parking, bathrooms and foot showers. Follow the north trail for wildlife and eucalyptus Grove. Walk West to 26th for good surfing. Further on find tide pools full of critters. Stay on East Cliff off of 26th Ave. You wont be sorry.

Fun evening to have a bonfire on the beach.

Beautiful

Sunsets .food,walk on beach.crows nest bands on beach thursday nights.wensday movie night at the Santa cruz beach boardwalk,on the beach.friday, bands on the beach.fun in the sun.

I often go there to eat my lunch.

Real nice dog beach & surfing!!

Beautiful beach for all occasions and uses.

This is a beautiful local beach. Pack your trash and keep it clean thanks!Nice place for ocean vistas, walking at sunsets. It is usually a bit too rough for swimming. Beware of riptides.

Beautiful place to let my dog run

Great place to walk when hot out due to tree canopy. Different views around each turn.

Discovered this gem over 25 years ago. Small local beach with spectacular views. Great spot to learn to surf or just take your pup

Definitely our familys go-to beach in Santa Cruz. Parking can be tough but weve always been able to find something close. Its a relatively small beach, amazing waves and a great place to watch the surfers. Kids love climbing on the rocks too.

Is a quite little beach

This is a nice little park with decent facilities. The scenery is so beautiful. Its quite peaceful and serene.

I think its a mellow environment and quiet but a lot of people in a small area if you have kids or dogs good spot to bring them if you dont mind other people on the beach or in the vicinity! I think its pretty clean and close to a road easy access!

Nice clean little park on the beach. Has a trail by the lake. Four stars because needs more parking.

This is a very small park leading down to the beach, but its able to provide a few moments of tranquility, or a short dog walk, beside the stream and under the shade of huge eucalyptus trees. At the coast end is a parking lot and restroom facilities, plus an outdoor shower when water isnt being restricted.

Fun spot to walk over to the beach get some sand in your toes and watch surfers

Love this Newly dicovered place to walk our dog.......a mini Monarch Butterfly Habitat......

Nice

Ugly

Easy to make your own bonfire and parking nearby makes it simple to have get a together.

Great

Its a family tradition and a county not state beach ....shhhh

Love their used book selection

Great space. Parking is convenient. View is amazing.

Its a nice little place. 2 bathrooms not always well maintained, a place to rinse off the sand, and some parking. Dont go after a storm,chances are theres no beach. The trail through the trees is nice and quiet.

Always a good time here hiking with my family

Nice lagoon. Pretty sunsets. Small beach when tide is up.

Awesome little, clean beach!

Beach access

Beautiful Best described.

Came here to go whale watching, and Rusty obliged, with multiple appearances.

We love this place! Kids love it. Dogs can run free. Free parking too

Easy access to the beach and clean restrooms! Great for sea glass hunting!

My new project over looking 26th ave. Its great!

I came here on a 5th grade field trip. It was really nice

Very clean & comfortable- will definitely come back

Great low-key beach with a local clientele...

Within 5 mins of ariving i had gotten bit several times and hooked up w some undersized barred perch..i practiced catch and release upon my 11 yrs old capture of this mity little fellow!!sweeet beach

What can i say? its right across the street from my beautiful home!

This is a nice spit fir me to eat lunch and use the restroom.

A great place to walk the dogs off leash. Kid friendly. Trail, mostly flat, runs between the beach parking lot and 30th ave. along a tidal lagoon and creek. Parking on 30th is easier. Find the trailhead by the big eucalyptus grove. Egrets, mallards, peregrine falcons, bitterns, monarch butterflies, and friendly people. A local treasure.

Its not the most beutiful but it does the job lol it has a nice view and its good to get away for an hour or two its nice and hot great for a tan if the sky are clear

I get picked up to and from work

Small parking area, fires on the beach

Nice quiet beach access. Parking lot needs paving.

Nice area to get out and take in some salty sea air.