Visit Natural Bridges

Natural Bridges - photo copyright Linda Hitchcock

Natural Bridges is located at the northern edge of the City of Santa Cruz. This beach, with its famous natural bridge, is an accessible and popular area where visitors and scientists alike can explore the extensive and biologically rich tide pools and sandy beaches.

Interesting Facts:

• This beach, with its famous natural bridge, is an excellent place to view birds, migrating whales, seals, and otters playing offshore. Further along the beach, tidepools offer a glimpse of life beneath the sea. Low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, sea anemones, and other colorful ocean life. Be sure to check the tide charts before visiting!

  Monarch Butterflies photo copyright Anders Ohlsson

• Natural Bridges is home to the only State Monarch Preserve in California and provides a temporary home to over 100,000 Monarch butterflies each winter!
• Did you know? Although only one arch remains at Natural Bridges, at one time three arches once stood here until they collapsed from erosion. The outer arch fell during the early 20th century and the inner arch fell during a large storm in 1980 – all that remains is the middle arch!
• For more information please visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541

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