Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Manresa adventure.
Enjoy ocean views and camp on the bluffs above a scenic stretch of beach popular with surfers.
Located along the Monterey coast, Manresa State Beach features a long and wide stretch of beach backed by bluffs, with sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Monterey Bay Peninsula. Surfing, fishing, beach fun, and wildlife spotting are popular, though the beach is typically less crowded than others in the area. Look for dolphins, whales, and sea otters frolicking in the waves, or sea birds in the skies—or, with a sportfishing license, campers can catch starry flounder, California halibut, or barred surfperch. The bluffs above the beach offer picnic tables and a seasonal campground (mid-May to September) at Manresa Upland, with more than 60 walk-in, pet-friendly, tent-only campsites with fire pits, picnic tables, food storage lockers, restrooms, and showers.
Summers are popular at Manresa, as the campground is only open from mid-May to October. Junior Lifeguard programs are typically offered in June and July. In summer, expect morning fog to burn off by the afternoon. Look for migrating gray whales from December through May, when you're also likely to see the biggest surf. In early spring, snowy plovers hatch on the beach and should not be disturbed.