Key Takeaways
Summary: Twin Lakes State Beach is a mile-long, family-friendly beach next to the Santa Cruz Harbor with summer lifeguards, free fire rings for evening bonfires, free beach wheelchairs, and trails around Schwan Lake behind it. Get there early on summer weekends, bring layers for the fog, and check posted parking signs.
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Twin Lakes State Beach sits just east of the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz County, and it’s one of the busiest local beaches on this stretch of Monterey Bay. You get about a mile of sand, lifeguards in the summer, fire rings for evening bonfires, and a quiet lagoon with walking trails right behind it. Whether you’re driving over the hill from Silicon Valley for the day or you live a few blocks away, here’s what you’ll want to know before you go.
About Twin Lakes State Beach
Twin Lakes is a wide, sandy beach that’s popular for swimming, picnicking, and spending a lazy afternoon in the sun. Because it sits right at the harbor entrance, there’s almost always something to watch, whether it’s sailboats heading out, kayakers, or paddleboarders coming back in. It’s also the local favorite for evening bonfires, since it’s one of the only beaches in the area with public fire rings.
Right behind the beach is Schwan Lake, a lagoon that’s part of the state beach. The trails around it wind through oaks and coastal grassland, and they’re popular for dog walks, birdwatching, and easy strolls with views of the lagoon and the bay. Across the harbor mouth to the west is Seabright State Beach, and if you keep heading east along East Cliff Drive you’ll pass a string of neighborhood beaches on the way to Pleasure Point.
The name comes from two bodies of water that used to sit side by side here, Schwan Lake and Woods Lagoon. Woods Lagoon was a tidal marsh named for John Woods, who owned the land in the 1800s, and it was dredged in the early 1960s to create the Santa Cruz Harbor. Schwan Lake is still there, so today only one of the original “twin lakes” still looks like a lake.
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Twin Lakes State Beach, Santa Cruz
Location and Directions
The beach is at East Cliff Drive and 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz (95062), at coordinates 36°57′44″N 121°59′59″W. Coming from Silicon Valley, take Highway 17 over the hill to Highway 1 south and get off at the Soquel Avenue exit. Head east on Soquel and turn right onto 7th Avenue, then follow 7th all the way toward the ocean until it ends at East Cliff Drive, right at the beach. From San Jose it’s roughly 35 miles, which is usually 45 minutes to an hour, and longer on summer weekends when Highway 17 backs up.
If you’d rather start with a walk, you can reach Schwan Lake from the Simpkins Family Swim Center on 17th Avenue and follow the lagoon trails down to the sand. Santa Cruz METRO has renumbered its routes in recent years, so the older route numbers you’ll see online are out of date. Use the METRO routes and schedules page or a transit app to find the stop closest to 7th Avenue and East Cliff.
Hours and Bonfire Times
California State Parks lists the day-use area as open from sunrise to sunset, so plan a daytime visit around that window. The fire rings get used into the evening, and fires have to be put out by 10 p.m. Posted hours can change, so check the signs at the entrance or call the park at (831) 427-4868 if you’re planning a late bonfire.
Things to Do at Twin Lakes State Beach
Swimming and Beach Days
The long, sandy shoreline is a good fit for families, boogie boarding, and wading. Keep in mind that the water is cold year round, usually somewhere in the 50s to low 60s, so most people who stay in for long wear a wetsuit. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season.
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The harbor mouth and the stretch toward Pleasure Point draw surfers, and the calmer water inside the harbor is a good place to learn stand-up paddleboarding. If you surf, my guide to the best surf spots in Santa Cruz covers the breaks nearby.
Schwan Lake Trails and Birdwatching
For something on land, the trails around Schwan Lake are easy and mostly flat. It’s a great spot for birdwatching, with herons, egrets, and ducks on the water depending on the season, and it’s a nice break from the crowds on the sand.
Bonfires
The fire rings are the reason a lot of people come to Twin Lakes. There are roughly ten of them near the harbor, they’re free, and you can’t reserve them, so on a summer weekend someone from your group needs to claim one early. Fires are only allowed inside the rings, you can only burn clean, untreated firewood (no pallets, trash, or painted wood), and you’re expected to drown the fire with water rather than bury it when you’re done. Groups larger than 50 need a special event permit from State Parks.
Fishing
You can fish from the beach and around the harbor, but anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license.
Accessibility and Beach Wheelchairs
Twin Lakes is one of the easier Santa Cruz beaches to visit if someone in your group has trouble walking on sand, which comes up a lot with families bringing an older parent or grandparent to the beach. State Parks offers free beach wheelchairs here. At Twin Lakes they’re generally checked out at the lifeguard tower on a first come, first served basis, usually from mid-morning until late afternoon, and you’ll need a photo ID. Availability depends on staffing and the season, so it’s worth calling the park at (831) 427-4868 before you go. For larger groups or special arrangements, the Santa Cruz District Special Events Office can be reached at [email protected] or (831) 400-8519. You’ll find more details on the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks beach wheelchair page.
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Fees and Parking
There’s no fee to use the beach, and street parking along East Cliff Drive and the surrounding blocks is free for most of the year. On summer weekends and holidays, though, parts of the Live Oak coast fall under a county beach parking permit program, and spots fill up fast. Read the signs carefully before you leave your car. The Santa Cruz Harbor also has paid lots nearby, and another option is to park near the Simpkins Swim Center on 17th Avenue and walk to the beach on the Schwan Lake trails.
Services and Facilities
You’ll find restrooms, outdoor showers, drinking water, and the fire rings, along with lifeguards during the summer. Beach wheelchairs are available as described above. The harbor right next door has restaurants and cafes, so it’s easy to grab lunch or dinner without moving the car.
A Glimpse into History
Twin Lakes State Beach sits on the unceded homelands of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe of the Ohlone people, who have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial. Today their descendants continue to care for the land in partnership with California State Parks. Much more recently, the dredging of Woods Lagoon in the early 1960s created the Santa Cruz Harbor and gave this stretch of coast the shape it has today.
Regulations
To keep your visit safe and enjoyable, keep these rules in mind:
- Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet and can’t be left unattended.
- Fires must stay inside the provided fire rings and be out by 10 p.m.
- Alcohol isn’t allowed on the beach or in the day-use areas.
- Anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license to fish.
Before You Go
Summer mornings in Santa Cruz are often foggy and cool, and the sun doesn’t always break through until the afternoon, so bring layers even in July. If you’re coming for a bonfire, bring your own firewood, a bucket for water, and a flashlight for the walk back. For current alerts and closures, check the official Twin Lakes State Beach page from California State Parks and the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
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Living Near Twin Lakes Beach
The streets between the harbor, Schwan Lake, and East Cliff Drive are some of the most walkable in Live Oak, and being able to walk to the beach, the harbor, and the Live Oak Farmers Market is a big part of why homes here draw so much interest. If you’re thinking about a move to this side of town, take a look at current Santa Cruz home prices and my Santa Cruz relocation guide. For more local beaches, you might also like my guides to Cowell Beach and Natural Bridges State Beach.
Twin Lakes is the kind of beach that works for almost anyone, whether that’s a morning walk around the lagoon, an afternoon with the kids, or a bonfire with friends as the sun goes down. Get there early on a summer weekend, bring a jacket, and you’re set for a great day on the Santa Cruz coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bonfires allowed at Twin Lakes Beach?
Yes. Twin Lakes has free public fire rings near the harbor, and fires are only allowed inside those rings. They’re first come, first served, only clean untreated firewood is allowed, and fires have to be put out by 10 p.m. Groups over 50 need a special event permit from State Parks.
Is parking free at Twin Lakes State Beach?
Street parking is free for most of the year. On summer weekends and holidays, some Live Oak streets near the beach fall under a county parking permit program, so check the posted signs. There are also paid harbor lots nearby.
Are dogs allowed at Twin Lakes Beach?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than six feet, and they can’t be left unattended. The trails around Schwan Lake are also popular for dog walks.
Does Twin Lakes Beach have beach wheelchairs?
Yes. State Parks offers free beach wheelchairs at Twin Lakes. They’re generally checked out at the lifeguard tower on a first come, first served basis with a photo ID. Call the park at (831) 427-4868 to confirm availability before you go.
Is there a lifeguard at Twin Lakes Beach?
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season. Outside of summer there’s usually no lifeguard, and the water is cold year round, so swim with care.
Why is it called Twin Lakes?
The name comes from Schwan Lake and Woods Lagoon, which used to sit side by side. Woods Lagoon was dredged in the early 1960s to create the Santa Cruz Harbor, and Schwan Lake is still there behind the beach.
How far is Twin Lakes Beach from San Jose?
It’s roughly 35 miles from San Jose over Highway 17. That’s usually 45 minutes to an hour, and longer on summer weekends when traffic backs up.
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