Lighthouse Field State Beach is a protected beach in the state park system of California, United States. It is located in the city of Santa Cruz at the north end of Monterey Bay. The beach overlooks the Steamer Lane surfing hotspot. It also contains the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, housed in a 1967 lighthouse.
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to stop at Lighthouse Field State Beach, located up the street from Natural Bridges State Beach. You’ll need to back track on West Cliff Drive, pass the lighthouse, and turn in the parking lot for Lighthouse Field on the left. Alternatively, accessible parking is also available across the street in front of the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
The migratory monarchs will be in the cypress and eucalyptus trees in the grassy field near Pelton Avenue. Although there’s a sizable population during the winter months, getting there can be difficult in rainy years, as the hard-packed dirt path to the grove floods easily. It’s about a half-mile walk on the level path to the eucalyptus grove on Pelton, and very doable in dry weather.
Bottom line — this is an excellent monarch viewing site, as you’ll not only spot clumps of butterflies, but you’ll also see individual ones flying around near the end of the season. Give it a try and see what the dirt path looks like, and if it’s relatively dry, then go for it. After all, it’s on the way from Natural Bridges, and it’s definitely worth a quick stop.
This is one of the places where Monarch butterflies winter along the California coast. Monarchs are unique because they migrate each winter to avoid freezing weather. The Monarchs wintering here, come from west of the Rocky Mountains. Monarchs east of the Rockies go to central Mexico for the winter.
Lighthouse Field State Beach has the distinction of being home to California's first surfing museum. The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse at Lighthouse Point on West Cliff Drive. Overlooking internationally renowned surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, this museum has photographs, surfboards, and other interesting items tracing over 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz.
Among many noteworthy community events, Lighthouse Field State Beach hosts "Caroling Under the Stars" each Christmas, a Santa Cruz tradition which attracts hundreds of locals and visitors.
Park Hours
Dogs not allowed on beach.
