Bay Nature

62 acre Park managed by: California Department of Parks and Recreation

A gorgeous beach not far from Santa Cruz proper, this small state beach gets its name from the very cool sea stack just offshore. It’s fun to try to imagine what the place looked like when that craggy island was part of the mainland, which they once were. That’s the power of ocean waves! These days, the top of the rock is a favorite hangout for all kinds of seabirds, so don’t forget your binoculars when you visit. Low tides also offer good tidepooling.