New Brighton State Beach
Current Crowd Level
🟡Moderate
Some visitors, parking usually available
Best: Weekday mornings
New Brighton is a beloved Santa Cruz-area beach campground perched on a bluff above Monterey Bay. The campground is sheltered by Monterey pines and offers easy trail access to the sand. With sweeping views of the bay, whale watching opportunities in winter, and a location midway between Santa Cruz and Capitola, it's a perennial favorite for Bay Area campers.
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Entrance Fee
Free
✅
Permits
Not Needed
🚫
Dogs
Not Allowed
♿
Accessibility
Accessible
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