![]() ![]() In the winter, the swells are particularly huge, making ideal conditions for experienced riders. Natural Bridges State Beach draws in beginner to intermediate surfers from all across the region. You’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for migrating whales, seals, and sea otters that call the ocean home. Visitors can often spot egrets, gulls, and herons in the skies overhead or resting on the bridge itself. In addition to the butterflies and sea creatures, Natural Bridges State Beach is also home to a wide variety of shorebirds. Wildlife Spotting Photo Credit: Nicola_K_photos Just be sure to leave sea creatures in their natural habitat and be mindful of the environment. Brave explorers can approach the tide pools and spot sea stars, crabs, urchins, sea anemones, mussels, and a variety of other ocean inhabitants. ![]() The Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve shoreline is teeming with all kinds of marine life. Be sure to stop by the visitor center and learn all about the eucalyptus grove these butterflies flock to. During this time, visitors can stroll along the Natural Bridges Monarch Trail through the eucalyptus trees and milkweed and observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve Photo Credit: Jeff HolcombeĮvery year, from mid-October through mid-February, up to 150,000 monarch butterflies take refuge at the beach’s Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve. Here are just a few of the most popular attractions and things to do. Guests can enjoy sunning on the sand, surfing in the waters, spotting sea shells, or exploring nearby tide pools and coves. Natural Bridges State Beach is packed with entertaining activities to keep you occupied all day. (Beachnest has pet-friendly vacation rentals as well!) While dogs are not allowed on the beach (except for service animals), they are allowed in the parking lots and picnic areas. This is also one of Santa Cruz’s pet-friendly areas. Finally, in 1933, the State of California purchased the land and turned it into the iconic park it is today. In the following years, the area was home to a dairy farm, a Brussels sprouts farm, a hotel, housing for local workers, a movie set, and even a housing development that was never completed. ![]() After the Mexican War of Independence in 1810, Mexican citizens began to use Natural Bridges State Beach to house their cattle. This Native American tribe inhabited much of the area until the Spanish arrived in the late 1400s and began their efforts to colonize the Americas. Like much of Santa Cruz, the first people to stumble across this beach were likely the Ohlone people.
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