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Its Beach
5 reviews
Santa Cruz, CA
Rio Del Mar Beach - residential side
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Rio Del Mar Beach - residential side
This beach is really nice. However, it is not a place for bonfires. The pits are in the back towards the bathroom, and parking lot, AND then it's separated by this weird growing puddle of water that all the nasty seagulls are hanging out in.
The beach itself is beautiful! And you can set up your gear not too far from the water. Instead of some beaches where you can barely see your things if you go out into the water.
It's a nice place for all... Families... couples...
Definitely a nice place to have a picnic.
Boogie boards, skim boards. You will have a good time.
It's a nice place hidden away in a residential area.
The parking lot is really small. We were fortunate enough to get there early, but if you come later in the day you may have to park up the hill, and walk down. Which isn't so bad, but after a relaxing day at the beach, a climb uphill is something not everyone is happy to do, especially if you have small children...
I too have many memories in my youth on this side of the sinking Cement Boat. While my family had property on the other side, I liked the beach here just a little bit better. The waves tend to be larger, but there are more jellyfish. Also for some reason, you can find Sand Dollars on this side, but not on the other side. The beach is largely private, but I believe there are some picnic areas.
The Cement Boat is called the USS Palo Alto, and is one of only 3 cement ships to be built for World War 1. I have been on a small portion of this ship before they closed the enitre ship for safety.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (2)
I would have never been able to find this place if I didn't have someone giving me exact directions. You basically park in a residential area and take a path leading to some stairs that take you down to the sand. I went at night and the sight of all the stars was great, even good enough for me to see the milky way for the second time. It's much better than the bay area view, but only a fraction of what you could see in the more isolated areas of our planet. The best part of this beach was that our bonfire wasn't kicked off the beach at 10:00pm like other beaches. I don't know if it's because we were invited, or because police don't come to this one, or what. We stayed out there until around midnight. After that we went to some bars in Santa Cruz.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
Its a good beach but sometimes way over crowded! And depending on where you are more than likely you have to cross over a big puddle of water not the best when you have babies.
i hold this quasi-hidden beach close to my heart because i've many memories here since my first visit in 2002. this beach is accessible in a residential neighborhood. a great beach to catch waves - they usually peak during 3pm to sunset. many have attempted bonfires here, but somehow the po's always check in to let you know that it's not allowed. the climb down and up on the stairs isn't too long and there is a rest/viewing area at midpoint just in case you need to catch your breath.
take the 1 south and exit rio del mar, go towards the water (duh!) and stay left on the fork.
People thought this was:
- Cool (2)
