Seacliff State Beach, California
Seacliff State Beach, California
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
171 reviews
Excellent
93
Very good
59
Average
11
Poor
6
Terrible
2
mini
Fremont, CA188 188 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We went to Seacliff State Beach. It was a nice day and the ocean was beautiful. The wooden pier has further deteriorated and one can no longer walk out on it to see the birds. Also, the sidewalk area is blocked, so people have to walk in the same area as the cars which drive in and out of the park. So its somewhat a mess. Once at your table, etc. its still fun. Its just not the same though. Dogs like to go for walks there too.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Summerasalifestyle
Malibu, CA2 958 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
Beach walk. Families, couples, solo, all ages. Great views of hillside as well as ocean. Storm damage, mudslides and debris
Parking lot is open at top. Parking fee unless you have a state parks pass
Parking lot is open at top. Parking fee unless you have a state parks pass
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camperina
9 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
You can walk for about two miles on this beautiful beach, and the sand is hard-packed, so it’s easy. Veteran’s Day (Oct.) young people were actually body surfing in the frigid Pacific, and best of all, we saw DOLPHINS jumping out of the water.
Beautiful experience. You can park on Center Ave. and walk through the parking lot to the steps if you prefer not to pay for parking. Several restaurants and an ice cream store on Center Ave.
Beautiful experience. You can park on Center Ave. and walk through the parking lot to the steps if you prefer not to pay for parking. Several restaurants and an ice cream store on Center Ave.
Written 28 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Golfinguy22
18 contributions
Jun 2022
Wonderful place to take a walk particularly with dogs. Really nice to see so many cheerful and happy people out.
Written 5 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walter Farnum
Bakersfield, CA6 contributions
Jun 2022 • Business
Tranquil serene and amazing views delight you. Next to the best California has to offer. The mountains some agriculture and a whole lot of heritage.Whether you are a social camper solo adventurist there is usually a plethora of activities. Maybe you enjoy amusement rides on a BOARDWALK! Some great food next to all the shopping you could want?then there is always being a beach goer I highly recommend Seacliff state park as a place to gather the family and enjoy some quality time.
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel548
Farmington Hills, MI538 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
Stopped here briefly on our PCH trip. Came mainly to see the shipwreck but you can't get to close. It's a nesting area for birds and you can definitely smell it. Try not to be downwind.
Written 22 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaliNative
13 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
I don't know what happened to this beach, but it's FILTHY now. It STINKS like urine and dirty diapers. Homeless men going through full garbage bins which also SMELL like something died. Restroom floor flooded in URINE. No soap or toilet seat covers. Plenty of local SMOKERS of all kinds to accompany the rich scent of excrement. Oh and if you like seeing dead sea birds, they've got those too! Flies galore along with wasps, I guess they like DOG S*** too? One flight of stairs to go down to the beach from parking entrance. 3 different times. 3 different A holes going up and down the steps working out dripping in sweat and breathing as hard as they can in your face. Pandemic fun! I couldn't leave fast enough so I could go home to burn my clothes and take a nice hot shower to wash off the vibes of this giant DUMP.
Written 12 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristi L
El Centro, CA12 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We were disappointed that the beach was very windy and we weren’t able to enjoy the day as planned. The area is beautiful so we hiked instead.
Written 9 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott
San Francisco, CA5 325 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Seacliff State Beach is a bit of a hidden gem. It's not the most beautiful Beach in California, but it's in a unique location. I found it by walking down a long wooden stairway. There's a old defunct fishing pier, and there's even a shipwreck.
Written 8 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred L
San Jose, CA1 515 contributions
Sept 2020
Took the family to Seacliff State Beach on a warm Fall Saturday. In the past we would go to Santa Cruz Beach but we decided to go try somewhere else. The parking was $10 and at the time we went there was lots of parking available. The beach was very long and clean. It was easy to find a spot as it was not as crowded as Santa Cruz Beach would normally get. Our girl (5 & 7) loved this beach because it did not have much seaweed which grosses them out usually. The only down side was that when the wind shifted there was a really bad smell that came our way. Its likely due to the SS Palo Alto (sunken ship at the end of the pier that attracts a lot of birds). That still did not deter us from having a great time. If you a looking for alternative to Santa Cruz, I would definitely recommend Seacliff.
Written 6 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vandem531
Rome, NY28 contributions
Does this beach have sea glass or will it be hard to find? Is it worth stopping here?
CaboWaboFan
Redding, CA18 contributions
It is a great family beach. Also there are other nearby beaches. Check them all out. Sea glass is all the way up the coast in Ft. Bragg, CA. The glass is to be enjoyed but not taken, You can be fined if caught,
Michael C
Campbell, CA
Where's the best place to park with little kids for easy beach access?
Joyce K
Pacific Grove, CA27 contributions
If it's a weekend, arrive as early as you can (park opens at, I think, 8 a.m.) to snag one of the relatively few day use parking spots on level with the beach. Otherwise, you are stuck in the lot at the top of the bluffs and a long schlep down a steep flight of stairs. If you have two adults, you could drive down to the beach level, dump kids, gear and 1 adult, and then send the other grown-up back up to the lot at the top of the bluffs. It is a lovely beach, but very popular!
Hey Debbie! Asking your opinion as a local, can the smell from the birds be that off putting?
John M
Santa Cruz, CA4 376 contributions
Thousands of sea gulls poop in the fresh water inlets and pollute the little pools entering the ocean, where parents think that the shallow water is safe for young children, when the danger of a different kind is actually very real. There is little or no smell from the bird poop bacteria. Better for parents to take young children to the edge of the ocean and watch them 100% carefully, which also teaches kids respect for the power of the ocean. Sharks bite only one in millions of surfers, despite the scenes from Jaws that are forever in our minds. The sometimes terrible stink is from algae blooms that arrive periodically and create a very pleasant odor, that the almost always offshore wind blows inland. We bought a home five houses from the water and it took a while to become used to the occasional strong smell, but it is all natural. Don't let that smell keep you from the beauty of the ocean, but stay away from the shallow water.
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Claim your listingSEACLIFF STATE BEACH, CALIFORNIA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Seacliff State Beach, California
- Hotels near Seacliff State Beach, California:
- (0.31 km) Oceanview
- (0.34 km) Charming Vacation Retreat
- (0.60 km) Rio Sands Hotel
- (0.40 km) Short Walk to Seacliff
- (0.43 km) Beachside Aptos Getaway - 2BR - Quick Walk to Beach, Pet Friendly
- Restaurants near Seacliff State Beach, California:
- (0.48 km) Marianne's Ice Cream
- (0.52 km) Pixie Deli
- (0.43 km) Casa Rossy
- (0.43 km) Mediterranean
- (0.52 km) Sno-White Drive In
- Attractions near Seacliff State Beach, California:
- (0.43 km) Mediterranean Bar
- (0.64 km) Hidden Beach County Park
- (0.67 km) Seacliff Village Neighborhood Park
- (5.31 km) Surf School Santa Cruz
- (0.95 km) Aptos History Museum