Palm Beach State Park

The pleasant smell of eucalyptus trees greets you when you reach Palm Beach State Park. Just a short drive out of Watsonville, this quick getaway has day use amenities that include a small picnic area, barbecues, and clean restrooms. The easy beach access is the prime feature, however, just a short walk up and over the sand dunes. 

Because if its proximity to Pajaro Dunes Resort, which separates Palm Beach State Park from Sunset State Beach, this beach tends to remain clean. The beach is generally less crowded than some of its neighbors, which means that parking is easy and you won't have any trouble finding some space on the sand. Of course, even the less popular beaches tend to fill during peak seasons or on holidays, so you may need to plan around crowds on heavy-use days. Keep an eye out for patches of sea figs and other wildflowers here as well as abundant wildlife. Dogs are allowed on the beach, and fire pits are available.