Notable Camping Spots
- Best for RVs: Campsites 46 to 56 at the New Brighton Campground offer electric hookups, suitable for RV up to 36 feet long.
- Best for views: Nine premium campsites are situated closest to the bluff overlooking the ocean.
- Best for groups: On the west side of the campground, three tent-only group campsites can fit up to 25 people each.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- Reserve a campsite as soon as you know your dates, especially over the summer. Sites can be reserved up to seven months in advance.
- If your plans are flexible, try to visit during the week or during non-holiday periods.
- If you don’t have reservations, plan to show up early to see if there are any unreserved sites available.
When to Go
Summers are popular, though September and October offer some of the nicest weather. Junior ranger and campfire programs are available over the summer. Massive migrations of sooty shearwaters are a sight to behold in the summer and fall skies. Look for gray whales in the winter and spring and humpbacks in the summer and fall. Inclement weather in the fall and winter can cause the park to close. The Pacific Migrations Visitor Center is open in the spring and summer.
Know Before You Go
- Accessible features include the visitor center, campfire center, five campsites, and all restrooms. Beach wheelchairs are also available.
- Fires are only permitted in designated fire rings at the campground and beach. Do not gather firewood, which is available for purchase at the campground.
- Alcohol and glass is only permitted at the campground, not at the beach.
- You do not need a license to fish from the pier, but California Fish and Wildlife limits still apply.
- Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash six feet or shorter, and must be kept indoors at night.
New Brighton State Beach
Wake up to stunning views of Monterey Bay in New Brighton, one of California's best beaches.
In a protected cove at the site of a former Chinese fishing village just east of Santa Cruz, New Brighton is one of the most popular beach parks in the region. Campers can safely swim, paddle board, boogie board, fish, and picnic here. The scenic 93-acre park also includes an informative visitor center, hiking trails, and forested bluffs that tower above the wide sandy beach, home to a family-friendly campground offering more than 100 campsites for tents, RVs, and groups. Campers enjoy plenty of amenities and sweeping views of the Monterey Bay and Marine Sanctuary.
In a protected cove at the site of a former Chinese fishing village just east of Santa Cruz, New Brighton is one of the most popular beach parks in the region. Campers can safely swim, paddle board, boogie board, fish, and picnic here. The scenic 93-acre park also includes an informative visitor center, hiking trails, and forested bluffs that tower above the wide sandy beach, home to a family-friendly campground offering more than 100 campsites for tents, RVs, and groups. Campers enjoy plenty of amenities and sweeping views of the Monterey Bay and Marine Sanctuary.
Activities in the park
2 campgrounds in New Brighton State Beach
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New Brighton State Beach campground is off use to day visitors, so make use of its many splendors and stay the night! The location is view-tastic, atop an oceanside bluff and though the campsites aren’t known for privacy, hiking trails will lead you from the site directly down to the beach or to the nearby village known as Capitola by the Sea. Read more...
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Notable Camping Spots
Notable Camping Spots
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Summers are popular, though September and October offer some of the nicest weather. Junior ranger and campfire programs are available over the summer. Massive migrations of sooty shearwaters are a sight to behold in the summer and fall skies. Look for gray whales in the winter and spring and humpbacks in the summer and fall. Inclement weather in the fall and winter can cause the park to close. The Pacific Migrations Visitor Center is open in the spring and summer.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —