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BEACHES AND LAKES
• Almaden Lake Park – Almaden Expressway and Coleman, San Jose; 408-277-2757; www.sanjoseca.gov/prns. Swimming area open Wednesday-Sunday (Memorial Day-Labor Day). Sand beach and swim area with lifeguards. Boating (non-power) and windsurfing.
• Anderson Lake County Park – 19245 Malaguerra Ave., Morgan Hill; 408-779-3634; www.parkhere.org. Power and non-power boating and fishing (year round) and float tube fishing. Personal watercraft (jet-skis) allowed.
• Calero County Park – 23201 McKean Rd., San Jose; 408-268-3883; www.parkhere.org. Power boating, sailing, fishing, water-skiing and jet-skiing.
• Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park – 10840 Coyote Lake Rd., Gilroy. 408-842-7800; www.parkhere.org.Power boating, jet-skiing, waterskiing, sailing, canoeing/kayaking and fishing.
• Lake Cunningham Regional Park – 2305 S. White Rd., San Jose; 408-277-4319; www.sanjoseca.gov. Offers boating, fishing and a water park.
• Lexington Reservoir County Park – 17770 Alma Bridge Rd., Los Gatos; 408-356-2729; www.parkhere.org. Non-gas powered boat use and fishing.
• Vasona Lake County Park – Vasona Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd., Los Gatos; 408-356-2729. www.parkhere.org. Fishing, non-power boating year round, with paddleboats and rowboats available for rental from early spring through early fall.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
• Capitola City Beach – Capitola Esplanade, Capitola; 831-475-6522; www.capitolachamber.com. Swimming, surfing and kite flying.
• Cowell Beach – 101 Beach St., Santa Cruz; 831-420-6014.
• Lighthouse Field State Beach – 701 W. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz; 831-420-5270; www.santacruzstateparks.org. Forms the northern boundary of Monterey Bay and is a draw for surfers, tourists, birds, monarch butterflies and sea lions. Site of the Surfing Museum.
• Manresa State Beach – 400 San Andreas Rd., La Selva Beach; 831-724-3750; www.santacruzstateparks.org. Expanse of sea and sand for surfing, fishing and recreation.
• Manresa Uplands State Beach – 205 Manresa Rd., La Selva Beach; 831-761-1795; www.santacruzstateparks.org. Beach activities.
• Natural Bridges State Beach – 2531 W. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz; 831-423-4609; www.santacruzstateparks.org. Famous for its yearly migration of monarch butterflies and natural bridge, the beach also features tidepools.
• New Brighton State Beach – 1500 Park Ave., Capitola; 831-464-6330; www.santacruzstateparks.org. One of the most popular and most visited state beaches in California, it features family-oriented campgrounds, hiking and biking sites, family programs and spectacular views of the Monterey Bay.
• Palm State Beach – End of W. Beach St., Watsonville; 831-763-7063; www.santacruzstateparks.org. Fishing and swimming.
• Rancho Del Oso State Park – 3600 Hwy. 1, Davenport; 831-427-2288; www.santacruzstateparks.org. Waddell Beach, located across Hwy. 1 from the park’s entrance, is known worldwide as one of the best spots for windsurfing.
• Santa Cruz Main Beach – In front of the Boardwalk on Beach St.; 831-423-5590; www.beachboardwalk.com. Swim, sun and take in the sights of the Boardwalk.
• Seacliff State Beach – 201 State Park Dr., Aptos; 831-685-6442; www.santacruzstateparks.org. Best known for its cement ship the U.S.S. Palo Alto, fishing pier and fossils of extinct marine creatures, the beach also features picnic areas, an interpretive center and RV camping.
• Sunset State Beach – 201 Sunset Beach Rd., Watsonville; 831-763-7063; www.santacruzstateparks.org. Wooded campground, picnic area, group campground, and 200-foot high dunes – the largest in the country – built up in front of coastal bluff.
• Twin Lakes State Beach – E. Cliff Dr. at 7th Ave., Santa Cruz; 831-429-2850; www.santacruzstateparks.org. One of the area’s warmest beaches. Sandy shoreline for swimming and picnicking.
MONTEREY COUNTY
• Asilomar State Beach – Sunset Dr., Pacific Grove; 831-646-6440; www.parks.ca.gov. Features a narrow one-mile strip of sandy beach and rocky coves and a three-quarter mile coast-walking trail open to pedestrians.
• Carmel River State Beach – Carmelo St., Carmel; 831-649-2836; www.parks.ca.gov. Mile-long beach features a bird sanctuary in a lagoon; ocean, swimming, wading are extremely dangerous.
• Marina State Beach – Reservation Rd., Marina; 831-384-7695; www.parks.ca.gov. Beach area features a boardwalk that winds through the Marina Dunes Natural preserves. Known for hang-gliding.
• Monterey State Beach – Del Monte and Park Aves., Monterey; 831-649-2836; www.parks.ca.gov. A favorite place for surfers and tidepoolers, good for kayaking, beachcombing, kite-flying and volleyball.
• Moss Landing State Beach – Jetty Rd., Moss Landing; 831-649-2836; www.parks.ca.gov. Fishing, surfing, windsurfing, horseback riding and bird watching.
• Salinas River State Beach – One mile south of Moss Landing; 831-649-2836; www.parks.ca.gov. One of Monterey Bay’s most interesting sand dune areas, home to many bird species.
• Zmudowski State Beach – Hwy. 1 (20 miles north west of Monterey); 831-649-2836; www.parks.ca.gov. The beach is a popular fishing area and also features the Pajaro River estuary.
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