Sunset State Beach
Sunset State Beach is a state park in Santa Cruz County, California, 16 miles from Santa Cruz. From Hwy. Day use costs $10 per vehicle. Hours: Call the beach.
Sunset State Beach map
Sunset State Beach boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Sunset State Beach has 4 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
- Entry to Sunset State Beach costs $10 per vehicle. Hours: Call the beach.
- No, day use at Sunset State Beach does not need a reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
- Sunset State Beach is 16 miles from Santa Cruz. From Hwy. It is 16 miles from Santa Cruz. From Hwy.
- Yes, dogs are allowed at Sunset State Beach.
Before you go
Sunset State Beach is 16 miles from Santa Cruz. From Hwy. It is 16 miles from Santa Cruz. From Hwy.
Day use needs no reservation; pay the entry fee on arrival.
Camping at Sunset State Beach
Sunset State Beach has 4 developed campgrounds. Sites can be reserved in advance.
What to see
- Feature Hiking Trails
- Feature Parking
- Feature Picnic Areas
- Feature Camping
- Feature Beach
- Feature FEES - There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee FEES - There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee
Public lands next to Sunset State Beach
- State parkZmudowski State Beach, a state park, is 0.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkManresa State Beach, a state park, is 1 mile away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- National wildlife refugeEllicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge is 1.4 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- State parkMoss Landing State Beach, a state park, is 2.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=544 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_state_parks (accessed 2026-09-28)