#187 of 391 State Parks in California

3 photos

Park Info

New Brighton, once known as China Beach or China Cove, was the site of a Chinese fishing village during the 1870s and 1880s. The village inhabitants proved invaluable in the building of the California railroad, and provided Santa Cruz with fish, produce, laundries, chefs and servants. However, commercial fishing slowed after dragnet fishing was outlawed in 1915. New Brighton became a state beach in 1933. The beach is located four miles south of Santa Cruz and in the town of Capitola. Picnicking, fishing, camping, hiking and swimming are favorite family activities at New Brighton State Beach. The park is open from 8am until sunset. The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park. Expand Map

Photos (3)

Recordings (5) Vanessa Reed on New Brighton Beach Trail

This section of the trail is a little overgrown, but leads up to the campsites and back around toward the road and over the train tracks. There is a little bridge that goes over a tiny creek where you can observe dragonflies.
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