Moran Lake Beach
Santa Cruz, CA
Moran Lake Beach and Park pairs a stretch of sand with a nature trail along the small lake just behind it, a quieter, more residential stop than the beaches closer to the Boardwalk. The lake trail is worth a short walk even if the beach itself is the main draw.
The lake trail genuinely adds something most beach stops don't have, though it's a quieter, more residential feel than the livelier beaches closer to downtown.
How we score beachesWalk the nature trail around the lake before or after the beach, it's a short, easy add-on that most beach-only visitors skip.
Free parking is available at the park.
A path leads from the park to the beach.
Dogs are allowed on the beach on leash, sunrise to sunset.
Fog is common most mornings year round, typical of the Santa Cruz coast.
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