This was a great spot for camping. We were tent camping for one night. Mostly RVs, but quiet ones, most people seemed to be staying for a few nights, so not a lot of turnover traffic in the morning. Clean individual bathrooms and showers (coin op- get quarters at the ranger stand on yr way in). We had reservations for... more

New Brighton Beach State Park is a campers dream. The beach area is very pretty, great for morning walks and i've never seen the waves there get so big that young families can't have a good time. You can access the beach via the parking lot at beach level or from the campground via the beach trail down the bluff.... more

We stopped here this past Saturday to walk around and enjoy our picnic lunch that we had packed for our surfing day in the Santa Cruz area. There is a small fee to get in here, but you can visit all of the State beaches with a day pass. There are several steps that lead down to the beach here.... more

Warm sand, cool waves, nice people. New Brighton State Beach attracts a much different clientele than the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Beach. If you want a traditional day at the beach with your family, but wish to avoid the hoards of raucous beer drinking tourists from the Central Valley, then check out New Brighton. more