Visitors enjoy surfing, boogie boarding, swimming and sunbathing. “It’s a 5-mile walking path along the ocean, so it’s very attractive, obviously.”, Meyers said the parking lot closures were not designed as an invitation for West Cliff visitors to crowd into nearby limited street parking, instead. Altogether, there are now 98 state … Monarch Tours are offered from October through January each year, and are applicable for pre-K through 12th grade curriculum. Live: Santa Cruz COVID-19 cases Election: Local results ... Kylie Smith and Briam Smith perform during Saturday’s 32nd Annual Migration Festival at Natural Bridges State Beach in … Visit Santa Cruz County works to enhance tourism, the visitor experience, and the area economy by positioning and promoting Santa Cruz County as a … Dogs are allowed on leashes no longer than 6 feet only on paved roads and in parking lot. Coronavirus | New OptumServe testing site up and running Monday On the first day Santa Cruz County enters stay-at-home order, agency reports most number of coronavirus deaths in one day, “The larger message we’d like to get out to people is about the density of use that we’re seeing on West Cliff right now,” Meyers said. Coronavirus: Popular Santa Cruz County parking…, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Congress seals agreement on COVID relief, government funding, Coronavirus: Popular Santa Cruz County parking areas shuttered, Coronavirus: Doug Wilson says some San Jose Sharks players who were overseas tested positive, 49ers moves on Saturday: COVID-19 impacts tight end corps ahead of Cowboys game, Coronavirus | New OptumServe testing site up and running Monday, On the first day Santa Cruz County enters stay-at-home order, agency reports most number of coronavirus deaths in one day, Local leaders encourage residents to get outside through virtual rail trail ribbon-cutting, Santa Cruz authors reveal best walks in city, with secret staircases and landmarks to boot, RTC celebrates grant for corridor program, DMV opens driving test reservations, extends learner’s permits again. * Additional parking restrictions may also be in place limiting available spaces along West Cliff Drive. Further along the beach, tidepools offer a glimpse of life beneath the sea. RALEIGH, N.C. (WAVY/WNCN) – North Carolina again has set an all-time high for the number of patients in the hospital in relation to COVID-19. Tidepool Tours are available from approximately March 1 through July 30 each year, and are available for 1st grade and up. Natural Bridge State Resort Park and square dance caller, Jane Bolin, invite you on Saturdays from May through October to Hoedown Island for some easy to learn Appalachian square dancing, line dancing, two-stepping, polka’s, waltzes and other couple and individual dances. Visit Santa Cruz County is a private, non-profit corporation, serving as the official visitor marketing entity for Santa Cruz County. Rio Del Mar State Beach is the main beach in the community of Rio Del Mar in Aptos. Hotels near Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz on Tripadvisor: Find 13,151 traveler reviews, 8,311 candid photos, and prices for 669 hotels near Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA. Visit them in their tidepool homes down in Santa Cruz, California. This beach, with its famous natural bridge, is an excellent vantage point for viewing shore birds, migrating whales, and seals and otters playing offshore. California State Parks has closed the Natural Bridges State Beach parking lot as the City of Santa Cruz closes the lots at Cowell Beach, Steamer Lane, Lighthouse Field and Lighthouse Point… The store offers t-shirts, hats, souvenirs and fine art prints featuring Michael Schwab’s iconic Natural Bridges image. The ParkStore at Natural Bridges, housed within the Visitor Center, echoes the themes of the center’s natural history exhibits. 49ers moves on Saturday: COVID-19 impacts tight end corps ahead of Cowboys game It starts in the waterfront area at the end of Rio Del Mar Boulevard and continues south for almost a mile on Beach Drive to the end. Docents lead tidepool explorations at low tide year-round. Both orders come after community members and out-of-town visitors, while otherwise ordered to shelter in place for the COVID-19 emergency, flocked to Santa Cruz County for weekend excursions during pleasant weather. The walk follows a 1-mile trail that winds its way through a diversity of habitats. A fridge, microwave and coffee facilities are provided in all rooms. The beach is large enough for games and flying kites. Annual State Parks passes also are available to purchase at the entrance kiosk. The Visitor Center is temporarily closed due to COVID-19. All of our parks are still open right now, so one thing for people to think about is, is there another place I can go and enjoy the same amount of exercise, without using West Cliff.”. Whaleshead Beach: This oceanfront picnic area has gorgeous views and an easy, flat path to the beach. The park begins accepting reservations for Tidepool Tours on Jan. 2. This is a great place to practice long exposure photography to capture awesome water movement as it passes through the "Natural Bridge" formation. Parking is $10 and supports the park. The park also includes a large area of coastal scrub and grasslands, with bright native wildflowers in the spring. It is also well known as a hotspot to see monarch butterfly migrations. Californians looking to get out of the house amid the coronavirus emergency should avoid these state parks and beaches, which have closed off to vehicle traffic because of the COVID … Shop online! Source: City of Santa Cruz, California State Parks. Vice Mayor Donna Meyers, who lives within walking distance of West Cliff Drive, said not only have people been too close on the West Cliff path, but they are getting in and out of their vehicles in close proximity. SANTA CRUZ — Pacific Grove this time of the year usually draws thousands of visitors in search of clusters of western monarch butterflies. Preschools, COVID, & Economic Recovery. Moore Creek flows through the park, forming freshwater wetlands and a salt marsh before it reaches the sea. In the summertime, Natural Bridges State Beach is a picturesque beach, punctuated by rock formations and teeming with wildlife – shorebirds, seals, sea stars and more. This is an awesome beach and park. Of the three original arches, only the middle one remains. The state will not own the Natural Bridge property until the debt is paid off but took over management of about 1,500 acres here on Sept. 24, 2016. The … The best time to see monarchs in the park is usually from mid-October to late January. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. The ParkStore is temporarily closed due to COVID-19. Fire department checks jail for gas leak The outermost arch fell during the early 20th century, and the inner arch collapsed during the 1980 storm. “Quite a lot of planning and community conversation” would be needed, plus state Coastal Commission permit approval, she said. I appreciate your inquiry and understand the overwhelming task it is deciding which preschool is best for your child. We’re also getting visitors, I think, coming over the hill and from other places, probably,” Meyers said by phone. Natural Bridges State Beach and the Monarch Natural Preserve are located off Highway 1 in Santa Cruz. She has been a working journalist, on both coasts, since 2004. The city, turning its attention on the Westside, initially will shutter larger parking lots with lockable gates. A Note from NBCC's Owner. Visit the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve to see migrating butterflies. Natural Bridges eucalyptus grove is a wintering spot for Monarch butterflies and an excellent place to get a close up view of these amazing creatures. Natural Bridge: Follow a short trail to one of the best viewpoints in the park — the seven iconic arch rocks and blowholes known as Natural Bridges. Coronavirus: Doug Wilson says some San Jose Sharks players who were overseas tested positive Learn more in the California State Parks brochure. SANTA CRUZ — Citing the need to thin out a crowded West Cliff Drive and other popular destinations in the midst of the infectious coronavirus pandemic, the City of Santa Cruz and State Parks have announced the closure of several local parking areas as a safety precaution. Natural Bridges State Beach is named for three naturally occurring arches that were once part of a large cliff that jutted out into the sea. Related Articles Natural Bridge is a three-acre natural area located in Franklin County. Call (831) 423-4609 for current hours and special events. The park begins accepting reservations for Monarch Tours on Aug 1. “The City of Santa Cruz offers many outdoor exercise locations to maintain health and well-being in compliance with social distancing guidelines,” Parks and Recreation Director Tony Elliot was quoted in the release. This State Beach includes a natural bridge and beach, a hiking trail, tide pools, and easy-to-access grove that hosts overwintering Monarch butterflies. A video is available for viewing. Low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, sea anemones, and other colorful ocean life. The beach is a great place for tourists. The Natural Bridges ParkStore sells merchandise that celebrates two of the park’s most prominent features: monarch butterflies and tidepools. Visitors must wear masks at the kiosks for day use entry in accordance with the Santa Cruz County health order. Stroll through the the Moore Creek Wetlands Preserve. Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at NewsRoom@parks.ca.gov. Natural Bridges State Beach recruits volunteer docents to lead butterfly tours in the fall and winter and tidepool walks in the spring and summer for school groups and other visitors. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Natural Bridges State Beach is named for three naturally occurring arches that were once part of a large cliff that jutted out into the sea. This action will help protect critical care for patients. The state park does not include the Natural Bridge Hotel and Conference Center or the Caverns at Natural Bridge. Natural Bridge is a 25 feet high natural sandstone arch with a span of 50 feet that provides a scenic overlook of Lost Cove. The bridges formed as wave power eroded the mudstone, deepening depressions in the cliff that grew until the rock formed a … Jonnie Cardinale 2020/21. Take Swift Street west from Highway 1, or follow West Cliff Drive north along the bluffs until it ends at Natural Bridges. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. The Visitor Center is currently temporarily closed until further notice due to COVID-19. On Thursday, California added 59 more state parks to the list of state parks where vehicle access is closed to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Natural Bridges State Beach Update (Dec. 17, 2020) California has issued a Regional Stay at Home Order to stop the surge of COVID-19 cases and prevent a strain on the health care system. From Highway 17 south, take Highway 1 north to … Natural Bridges State Beach is a great place to unwind near the bohemian surfer town of Santa Cruz. Natural Bridges State Beach. Also, the city could look to fully closing the parks themselves, including trails, bathrooms and other amenities as needed, officials said. Natural Bridges State Beach is a 65 acre California state park in Santa Cruz, California in the United States. The Visitor Center features displays on the monarch butterflies and other features of the park. This Westside gem isn’t short on visual spectacles including thousands of migrating monarch butterflies and the beach’s namesake, monumental rock “bridge” (which is now an arch following the collapse of land that once extended to shore). WordPress Website by Launch Brigade 2020 ©, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks | 1543 Pacific Ave., Suite 206, Santa Cruz CA 95060 | 831 429-1840 |, Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, Hilltromper Wheelchair-Friendly Trails Guide, Special events and tours continue to be canceled, Sand wheelchairs available — learn more in the, ADA-compliant boardwalk leads to the Monarch Grove — learn more in the. “Please consider using the rest of our 1,700 acres of parkland across beaches, parks, and open space for walking, jogging and other activities, but not to congregate.”. Natural Bridges State Beach is world-renowned for its yearly migration of monarch butterflies. Great for sunsets, this sandy beach fronted by a natural sandstone bridge is a family favorite and tops for wildlife viewing. To make a reservation, please read more and submit a request here. “Many council members have received communication about this. Tables, barbecues, water faucets and restroom facilities are available. Guided tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends during the fall and winter. Conveniently located 1.1 miles from the Natural Bridges State Beach, the Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West, Ca offers an outdoor heated hot tub and sauna.All rooms include free Wi-Fi. Hotel in Westside Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz (1.9 miles from Natural Bridges State Beach) Within a 10-minute walk of Santa Cruz Wharf and Boardwalk, this hotel features rooms with free Wi-Fi. Hotels near Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz on Tripadvisor: Find 13,144 traveller reviews, 8,307 candid photos, and prices for 430 hotels near Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA. California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. Natural Bridges National Monument. Alcohol is not allowed on the beach or in day-use areas. It also carries a selection of educational books for kids, field guides, local history books,and general interest books about butterflies, birds, the ocean, conservation, citizen science and other relevant subjects. Planning Your Visit. The large crowds last weekend “made it impossible for the public to adhere to the state and county shelter-in-place orders and implement appropriate” 6-foot social distancing practices, according to a city press release. The Visitor Center is open most weekends and some weekdays. Email or call 831-423-4609 x8 for information. The park features a natural bridge across a section of the beach. An aquarium features animals found in the tidepools. Asked if the parking lot closures might be a precursor to West Cliff Drive’s eventual full closure to vehicle traffic due to coronavirus concerns, Meyers said it was “way too early” to decide such a complicated issue. Do not smoke, ride bikes, roller skate, skateboard or speak loudly in the monarch butterfly grove. Here you'll find a memorial to Dr. Samuel Dicken, who first envisioned the Oregon Coast Trail. The city is among several locations along the Central Coast, including Santa Cruz’s Natural Bridges State Beach and Lighthouse Field, known as … Jason Henry / Special To The Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 … Visitors can see thousands during the butterflies’ peak season. Natural Bridges State Beach See a stunning rock formation, and spy monarch butterflies Add nearby grasslands with trails snaking through tall milkweed plants that naturally attract more than 100,000 monarch butterflies each year (usually October through February) and you’ve got a junior naturalist’s delight. A picnic area is located off the main parking lot in a eucalyptus and pine trees grove. Natural Bridges State Beach is a wonderful place to photograph located in Santa Cruz off of West Cliff Drive. Scan the bay for whales, seals and otters or, at low tide, comb tide pools for sea stars and sea anemones. Nature Walks are a great alternative when the monarchs have migrated inland or when the tides are not conducive to exploring the intertidal zone. There are 4 ways to get from Stockton to Natural Bridges State Beach by bus, train, night bus or car. 2531 West Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 423-4609 Open 8:00 to sunset It has a 24-hour front desk and free guest parking. The park has a visitor center and a few easy trails to hike. … The closures were effective across numerous state-owned properties Thursday and go into place Saturday for the city. 1 of 5 The bluff above Natural Bridges State Beach is a popular spot to catch the sunset for animals and humans alike. Jessica A. York covers Santa Cruz government, water issues and homelessness for the Sentinel. Hello and welcome to our NBCC website. City spokesman Ralph Dimarucut, however, said additional parking restrictions also may be put in place to limit available spaces along West Cliff Drive in the future. NOTICE: Get more information on the California State Parks response to COVID-19 here. Credit card payments are encouraged. At low tide, tidepools are visible. Here are some guidelines for people visiting Natural Bridges State Beach: NOTICE: Get more information on the California State Parks response to COVID-19 here. Aligned with 3rd and 4th grade science standards. 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