Greyhound Rock
Santa Cruz, CA

Greyhound Rock sits below a steep path north of Santa Cruz, a cove beach named for the offshore rock formation that breaks up the view. The steep walk down keeps this quieter than the beaches closer to town.
Genuinely quieter than the beaches closer to town thanks to the steep walk down, held back only by the effort that same walk requires.
How we score beachesWear real shoes for the steep path, it's a genuine descent rather than a gentle ramp down to the cove.
Free parking is available at the trailhead.
A steep path leads down to the cove beach.
Dogs are welcome; check posted signage for specific leash rules.
Fog is common most mornings year round, typical of the Santa Cruz coast.
More Pacific Coast beaches

Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.

Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.

Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.
