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New Brighton Campground

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New Brighton State Beach campground is off use to day visitors, so make use of its many splendors and stay the night!

The location is view-tastic, atop an oceanside bluff and though the campsites aren’t known for privacy, hiking trails will lead you from the site directly down to the beach or to the nearby village known as Capitola by the Sea. Nine campsites are considered premium due to their particularly well-positioned spots overlooking beach-style sunsets. For an extra fee one of those nine sites could be yours, but if premium’s not your jam, 102 other campsites await your choosing, as well as RV accommodation and developed restrooms with hot pay showers. This site fills up fast, so book in advance!
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Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near New Brighton State Beach

More to explore nearby

98%
69 ratings · 17 reviews
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Mandy S.recommends
January 23, 2019
This campground can get crowded. The winter is a great time to visit.
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Lisa M.recommends
November 23, 2018
Book way in advance. Also, Santa Cruz has it's best weather in September and October.
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Melissa V.recommends
May 18, 2018
Stunning views. Great beach access. Definitely worth the extra money for the premier campsites. Book in advance!
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Justin L.recommends
June 5, 2017
The availability of hot water for showers and dish washing makes this appealing for new campers.
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Anthony V.recommends
May 21, 2017
Only a short walk from the beach bust rsvp a spot early
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Jacqueline L.recommends
May 5, 2017
Close to the ocean
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Jenny R.recommends
April 7, 2017
Beautiful campground, some of the sites are a little close together. There is poison oak in many areas. Beware and watch out. Warn children too!
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Xanthe &.recommends
February 19, 2017
Green and shaded with a few beautiful areas for larger groups to gather or have bigger bbqs or just watch the sun set from the top of the cliffs.
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Nathan H.recommends
February 3, 2017
Downtown Capitola is a cool little beach town and Nacime Marks is an awesome park with lots of great trails.
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Crystal C.
November 15, 2015
Only an hour from SF! Pros: HUGE sites (but sizes vary... the map on website is a decent indication). Hot showers and running water. Nice beach with a really well maintained trail to it. Close enough to civilization to grab necessities you forgot. Cons: inconsistent site facilities (some have working faucet, some have huge bear locker, most don't). $10 charge per car (1 included with res). Slight hwy noise even at sites close to cliff. We stayed at site 71 with 4 tents and could have fit a couple more. Can't really see the ocean from the non-premium sites, but if you're not fussed about that, don't spend the extra $15. Second the recommendation for Gayle's Bakery in Capitola. We'll definitely be staying here again!
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Matthew G.
May 29, 2015
If you have never been to Gayle's Bakery (Bay and Capitola), do yourself a favor and go! Be warned, the place gets very busy on the weekends and opens at 6am. Get the take and bake garlic bread (for cooking back home when you're done camping).
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Matthew G.
May 29, 2015
The fire wood available for purchase is expensive ($10, but goes to conservation efforts) and damp.
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Matthew G.
May 29, 2015
For the walk-in campers: They release open campsites at 2pm, but arrive early on busier day to get your name on the waitlist.
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Matthew G.
May 29, 2015
Pay the extra $15 for a ocean front campsite (if they're available), the views are amazing and the sites are GIANT.
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Bryn K.
April 27, 2015
Also, if you need a camping cheat and want to get a warm meal, highly recommend Bangkok West, about 1 mile away. It was delicious!
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Bryn K.
April 27, 2015
We only stayed here passing through, but I did notice how many families and trailers were around. Kids were biking everywhere and having a great time!
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Courtney C.
March 22, 2015
This campground sits right above a great beach for launching a kayak or paddleboard. Some of the sites are kind of wide open and it is popular with the RV crowd. Try to stay closer to the beach, the farther back you stay you will hear noise from Highway 1.

Your guide to camping in New Brighton Campground

Overview

Biking

Interested in surfside riding and pedal powered exploration through farmland backcountry? Check out the various bike friendly miles provided by New Brighton Beach State Park, including the Brighton Beach to Vets Memorial route . Ride prepared for the Monterey fog!

Boating

Head over to our kayaking & canoeing section if you’re curious about the boating options at New Brighton.

Fishing

New Brighton State Beach was once a Chinese fishing village and yes, it is still a fishing worthy hub for day visitors and campers alike. Bring your rod and cook your bay caught dinner over the crackle of nighttime flames.

Hiking

You could easily exhaust yourself combing the length of the sandy shore at New Brighton , beach wanderer! Before you do, check out the surrounding coastal forest for a more spider-monkey-esque trek, nestled between the sweet scent of pine and the glory of green.

Paddling

Don’t leave the salty water of New Brighton behind without sampling a whole host of aquatic transportation options. Along with kayaking and canoeing, this includes paddle boarding, boogie boarding, skim boarding and nearby surfing. There is something for every type of water pioneer. Rent some gear in nearby in Santa Cruz!

Surfing

See Kayaking / Canoeing for more info on surfing!

Swimming

Swim in the coves and crests of New Brighton’s Pacific waves. Try a starlit dip, a water-laden morning workout, or a whole family splashing session.

Wildlife watching

If you find yourself cursing your timing during a brisk winter outing to New Brighton State Beach, curse not! You are seasonally right on schedule for sightings of migrating whales off shore, Bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and otters.

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