Lighthouse Field State Beach
- State beach
- Regional draw
- Santa Cruz
Lighthouse Field State Beach preserves a coastal headland and open landscape along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.

Paths and shoreline viewpoints look toward Steamer Lane, while lightly wooded grassland provides a quieter counterpoint to the busy oceanfront.
Choose a walk suited to current weather and coastal conditions, using the park’s designated trails and access points. Keep clear of cliff edges and give wildlife space. The park allows leashed dogs, including on the beach. Visiting the surrounding park does not guarantee access to the separately operated surfing museum inside the lighthouse; check that institution’s schedule if it is part of your plans.
Visitor details reviewed October 18, 2026. Check official visitor information for current access, admission, and operating arrangements. View on OpenStreetMap.
Image credit: Brucetopp / Wikimedia Commons. Original source. Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP; may be cropped for display.
Nearby
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Seymour Marine Discovery CenterSeymour Marine Discovery Center introduces visitors to marine science at the University of California, Santa Cruz’s coastal campus.