Natural Bridges State Beach Park Brochure

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NaturalBridges

State Beach

Our MissionThe mission of the California Department

of Parks and Recreation is to provide for

the health, inspiration and education

of the people of California by helping

to preserve the states extraordinary

bio log ica l d ivers i ty , p rotec t ing

its most valued natural and cultural

resources, and creating opportunities for

high-quality outdoor recreation.

Printed on Recycled Paper 2002 California State Parks (rev. 2008)

Natural Brides State Beach

2531 West Cli DrieSanta Cruz, CA 95060

(831) 423-4609

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

P. O. Box 942896

Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

For information call: (800) 777-0369(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.

711, TTY Relay Service

www.parks.ca.gov

Discover the many states of California.

California State Parks supports equal access.

Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities whoneed assistance should contact the park at

(831) 423-4609. This publication is available in

alternate formats by contacting the following:

Photography by Caliornia State Parks and John L.Goldberg

In the early 1900s, thethree arches carved by

nature out of a sandstone

cliff inspired the naming

of Natural Bridges.

Wave action against

the soft rock formed

the bridges and

also undercut them,

eventually eroding away

and leaving only islands.

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N atural Brides State Beach is amagnicent oasis o natural beauty located

between the edge o the ocean and the outer

limits o Santa Cruz.

During all and winter, Natural Bridges is

home to one o the largest monarch butterfy

over-wintering sites in the Western United

States. Each year, rom the boardwalk in the

Monarch Preserve, you can see thousands

o monarch butterfies clustered in the

eucalyptus trees.

A demonstration milkweed patch next to

the visitor center provides ood or monarch

caterpillars. I you look closely, you can oten

nd the bright green chrysalids (cocoons)hanging under the ence railing. Public

monarch tours are oered on the weekends.

Spring brings warmer weather and low

tides or viewing anemones, crabs, urchins,

sea stars and other sea lie. Moore Creek

fows down to the ocean through a large area

o coastal scrub meadows and along riparian,

reshwater marsh and dune habitats on itsway to the sea, orming a wildfower-covered

wetland in the sand.

Summer oers opportunities to sunbathe,

swim, sur, sailboard and enjoy the beauty o

this special park. The beach is an excellent

vantage point or viewing the remaining

natural bridge, as well as shore birds,

migrating whales, seals and sea otters.Since coastal weather conditions can vary

quickly, layered clothing is advisable.

PARK HISTORY

The Natural Bridges State Beach land area

has changed ownership many times. The

rst people to inhabit this 65-acre area were

small groups o central coast nativeslater

called Costanoan and eventually Ohlone

semi-nomadic people who hunted marine

mammals and inland game, supplemented

with sh, shellsh, edible roots, shoots,acorns, nuts and seeds. The coastal Ohlone

also cultivated medicinal plants and herbs.

Skilled cratspeople, they ashioned tools

rom native stones and shells, crated prized

shellsh jewelry and wove intricate baskets.

Spanish colonists later took over the

natives traditional lands. When the Spanish

missionaries and soldiers brought theCostanoans into the mission system, the

native population was nearly decimated

The last remaining natural bridge

by European diseases to which they

had no resistance. By 1834 this area was

governed by newly independent Mexican

authority, and Mexican citizens used the

land or cattle grazing. Ater the Mexican-

American War, Caliornia became one o

the United States. In subsequent years

the land supported a dairy arm, a hotel, a

brussels sprouts arm, housing or workers

at the nearby Antonelli Mill Pond, a South

Seas movie set and an unnished housing

development. The State o Caliornia

purchased the area in 1933 and acility

construction began in 1954. Until the 1970s,

open space surrounded the park. Over theyears, development has increased ten-old,

making the park a diamond in the rough

among its urban neighbors.

Visitors enjoy the eucalyptus grove.

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THE MONARCH PRESERvE

In 1983 Caliornia State Parks

established the monarch

grove as a natural preserve

so that uture generations

o monarchsand

peoplemay

nd

sanctuary

here. As the

days begin to grow

shorter ollowing the all equinox,

monarch butterfies (Danaus plexippus)

throughout the western United States

begin a daring journey o up to 2,000 milesto seek sanctuary rom winters cold. The

eucalyptus grove at Natural Bridges State

Beach is one o many groves monarchs

travel to along the Caliornia and northern

Baja coastline. Here they nd ideal

conditionsa temperate climate, shelter

rom the wind, and sources o ood

Clustering monarchs

and water. During the cold all and winter,

monarchs cluster by the thousands in the

eucalyptus, intertwining their legs among

the branches to resemble a clump o leaves.

Upon closer inspection, one can detect

delicate gossamer wingsblack and orange

with a tan undersideand understand that

these creatures are clustering or survival,

and to avoid being dislodged rom their

companions by the wind and rain.

A wheelchair- and stroller-accessible

boardwalk leads visitors into the heart o the

grove with minimal impact on the habitat.

When the air temperature rises above 55

degrees, the butterfies may burst rom theirclusters, foating through the trees and into

the surrounding area in search o fower

nectar and water. Near the end o winter, the

monarchs mate and leave or inland locations

in search o native milkweed plants, where

the emale butterfies will lay their eggs.

TIDE POOLSLIFE ON THE EDgE

Lie is most oten thought o as occurring on

the land or in the water. In the tide pools,

where plants and animals live within the

nexus o land and sea, extreme conditions

are the rule o daily lie. Forces o gravitycreated by the interplay o the earth, moon

and suncause the tides. Twice each day

the tide uncovers pools o all sizes teeming

with sea stars, hermit crabs, urchins, kelp

and many more species. Survival in this

habitat requires adapting to rapid changes

in temperature, water salinity, pounding sur

and human activity. On your adventure to

the tide pools, please leave all plants and

animals attached to the rocks. Prying them o

may harm or kill them.

Carefully examining life in the tide pools

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NATURAL BRIDgES OR FALLEN ARCHES?

In the early 1900s, three arches carved by

nature out o a mudstone cli inspired the

naming o Natural Bridges.

The arches were ormed millions o years

ago when water, silt and clay sediment

combined with one-celled marine plants

called diatoms. Heat and pressure solidied

the mixture into a sot stone that ormed

three arches.

Wave action against the sot rock ormed

the bridges and also undercut them,

eventually wearing them away and

leaving only islands. The outermost

arch ell in the early part o the 20th

century and the inner arch broke

during a storm in 1980. Only the

middle arch remains, but it is being

slowly eroded by the waves.

The health o the parks natural

resources is at the mercy o the

visitors who come to this special

place. Historically, amilies drovehorses and buggies onto the three

arches to enjoy picnics. Today, the

last remaining arch is a ragile and

unique treasure. Do not climb on

the arch. View it rom a distance

and appreciate its unique wonder.

Keep the park a vital habitat or

the many varieties o wildliethat make Natural Bridges their

homewalk gently and remove

nothing.

RECREATIONAL ACTIvITIES

Natural Bridges State Beach is a haven or

the outdoor enthusiast. Its small, sheltered

pocket beach is ideal or relaxing and

playing in the sand, enjoying the sun and

wave watching. Frequent aternoon winds

encourage shoreline kite fying and welcome

sailboarders or an exhilarating sail on the

bay. Large winter swells are popular with

experienced surers and boogie boarders.

Trails oer hikers an opportunity to stroll

through the Monarch Butterfy Nature

Preserve and the Moore Creek Estuary.

Nature lovers can participate in a guided

walk with a park naturalist. Runners and

bicyclists requent the parks main road.

For those just wanting to enjoy a quiet

amily picnic, there are numerous picnic

tables and barbecue stoves in the picnic

area. The sun setting over the bay makes

a spectacular ending to a wonderul day.

Bring your amily to Natural Bridges State

Beach or a day o stimulating outdoor

entertainment.

Giant green sea anemone

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EDUCATIONAL ACTIvITIES

Monarch Butterfy Tours

11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekends during

all and winter. Meet at the visitor center

to learn about monarch butterfies and

their miraculous lie cycle.

Tide Pool Explorations

Oered throughout the year during times

o low tide.

guided Nature Walks

Oered year-round. Topics vary and

may include wildfower and bird walks,

wetland explorations and more.

Moore Creek

SPECIAL EvENTS

Welcome Back Monarchs Day

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second

Sunday in October, welcome the monarch

butterfies back to Natural Bridges with

music, ood, games, guided walks and the

annual appearance o Monarch Man and

Monarch Woman.

The Miration Festial

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second

Saturday in February, learn about the

journeys o the many animals that

migrate to and through Natural Bridges

and the surrounding area. Educationalbooths, guided walks, entertainment,

games and more make or a day o un

and discovery.

In addition to these activities, organized

groups o ten or more may schedule

guided walks on weekends by calling

(831) 423-4609. School group walks are

oered on weekdays by appointment.

Docent Trainin Classes

Volunteer docents conduct guided walks,

host the visitor center and assist with

special events. Contact the visitor center

to apply or the next docent training

class.

Dune plants

Friends o Santa Cruz State Parks

These dedicated volunteers provide a vital link

between Natural Bridges and the community

by unding school and visitor programs,

special events and interpretive exhibits and

publications. To nd out more or to become a

member, visit the Friends web site at

www.thatsmypark.org or call (831) 429-1840.

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NEARBY STATE PARKS

Wilder Ranch State Park

2 miles north o the Santa Cruz city limits

(831) 423-9703/426-0505

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

5 miles north o Santa Cruz on Highway 9

(831) 335-4598

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

Downtown Santa Cruz on School Street

(831) 425-5849

The Forest o Nisene Marks State Park

4 miles north o Aptos on Aptos Creek Rd.

(831) 763-7062

Twin Lakes State Beach

At the Santa Cruz Small Crat Harbor

(831) 427-4868

Lihthouse Field State Beach(831) 429-2850

New Brihton State Beach

4 miles south o Santa Cruz on Highway 1

(831) 464-6329

Seacli State Beach

51/2

miles south o Santa Cruz on Highway 1

(831) 685-6500

ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Boardwalk into the eucalyptus groves, with

a level lower portion and numerous reststops along the way

Two picnic tables, one adjacent toaccessible parking

Visitor center, including restrooms,interactive and interpretive displays andvideos (some with large print ormats andscripts available)

Beach viewing platorm adjacent to theoverfow parking lot and entrance station

PLEASE REMEMBER

Natural Bridges State Beach is openyear round rom 8 a.m. to sunset.

Sur SaetyEnter tide pools onlyduring periods o low tide. Otenthere is no lieguard on duty and thesur can be unpredictable. Hazardousrip currents and large waves canappear out o nowhere and sweepunsuspecting visitors out to sea. Thebeach and tide pools are known ortheir incredible beauty, but they canalso be extremely dangerous. Do notrun on the wet rocks o the intertidalarea, and never turn your back to the

waves. Check with the lieguard or atthe entrance station or visitor centerbeore entering the ocean and the tidepool areas.

CollectingDo not disturb the butterfyclusters in any way. The parks naturalwonders are protected by law. Leavethem in place or everyone to enjoy.

Stay on designated trails to protectplants, to prevent erosion and to avoidpoison oak and stinging nettles.

Dogs are allowed on a six-oot leash inthe parking lots and picnic areas only.Dogs are not allowed on the beach andtrails.

Bicycles are permitted only on pavedroads.

Fires and glass containers are notallowed on the beach.

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed inthe park, unless a special event permithas previously been obtained throughthe Caliornia State Parks sector oce at

(831) 335-3455. Permit applications mustbe made at least 30 days beore theevent date.

Do not smoke, ride bikes, roller skate,skateboard or bring dogs into the grove.

Speak quietly while you enjoy thisnatural wonder.

www.santacruzstateparks.org

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N A T U R A L

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Natural BridgesState Beach

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