Manresa Uplands State Beach

On a late afternoon stroll along a bluff at Manresa Uplands State Beach, dolphins could be spotted frolicking in the surf less than 150 yards off shore. Even if surfers are occasionally annoyed by their presence while jockeying for right of way, the dolphins are adored by anglers, who wait for the majestic mammals to push fish toward their lines, and nature lovers eager to spot friendly fins.

When it comes to a complete beach experience, Manresa Uplands State Beach, nestled amid coastal scrub south of Santa Cruz and north of Monterey, has it all. Besides the long stretch of oceanfront property, there are 64 walk-in campsites, showers, picnic tables and fire rings.

Imagine being able to camp within earshot of the ocean and still enjoy all the amenities that car camping allows. Can you say pillow and surfboard?

Ed Guzman of Santa Cruz-based Club Ed surf school is so high on Manresa that he holds his summer camps there.

"The stretch of beach that we have in front of the camp is one of the more consistently surfable spots in the area during the summer,'' Guzman said.  "Summertime means small waves, for the most part. This makes it easy for beginner- and intermediate-level surfers to have lots of fun and get lots of practice without worrying about hazards such as rocks or other grumpy surfers competing for limited amount of waves in a small area.''

Guzman points out that because Manresa receives northwest, west, southwest and south swells, there are almost always waves to ride at this state park.

"What's ideal about camping at Manresa, is that we don't have to get into cars, go into town, be in traffic, and try and park to be able to surf,'' Guzman said. "We just get up, walk down the trail and into the water, come back in when we're ready to a campfire and food.''

Even if you don't surf, there's always boogie boarding. Or beachcombing. Or sunbathing if coastal fog ever lifts. Or scanning the horizon for dolphins.

Manresa is also home to sea lions, otters and pelicans. Gray whales are seasonal. Western snowy plovers build nests directly on the sand and use the beach as a winter habitat. The rich marine life offers fishing for starry flounder, California halibut, barred surf perch, striped bass and surf smelt.

Up at the campsites, rabbits dart under sagebrush, while white-crowned sparrows, rufous-sided towhees and finches fill the air with sounds that are nearly as mesmerizing as the ocean crashing on the coastline.

The campsites require a 25- to 200-yard walk from the loading area. Several sites are situated on hillsides with ocean views, while others are protected by brush, groves of eucalyptus and cypress trees.

With Santa Cruz and Monterey nearby, Manresa Uplands State Beach makes an ideal base camp for a week of fun. But you may just want to surf, read a good book and sip an adult beverage at night as you stare into a cozy fire with the sea as a backdrop.

   

Location: Take Highway 1 south past Santa Cruz to San Andreas Road. Drive 5 miles to Sand Dollar Drive, turning right. Look for the park entrance sign
Activities: Camping, surfing, boogie boarding, wildlife viewing
Day use: There are two day-use areas. The first is just off San Andreas Road about a mile before you reach the campground. The other day-use area is located inside Manresa Uplands State Beach campground
Camping: The cost is $20 per night. Reservations can be made by calling

1-800-444-7275 or at www.reserveamerica.com
Ranger station: 831-761-1795