Seacliff, CA

Seacliff is the northern end of unincorporated Aptos, a string of beach towns that also includes Aptos Village, Cabrillo, Seascape and Rio Del Mar. The shoreline faces Monterey Bay, with the Santa Cruz Mountains rising behind it. Seacliff's neighborhood and city boundaries cover the same land, so this page looks at the Aptos area around it. Aptos Village is the pedestrian-friendly center, with local shops, artisan ice cream and small restaurants. The Penny Ice Creamery scoops there, and the Aptos History Museum traces the area from its Ohlone roots up to the 1989 earthquake. A second Aptos branch of Whale City Bakery sells fruit croissants, benedicts and granola alongside local wine and beer. For the outdoors, Rio Del Mar State Beach is the spot for dog walks and evening beach fires. The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park has thirty miles of trail through redwoods and old logging sites, and the village park is where the town gathers for its Independence Day parade. Cabrillo College, with its theater and gallery complex, anchors the middle of the community, and a farmers market runs on its campus. Highway 1 is the main road in either direction, toward Santa Cruz and Capitola to the north and Watsonville to the south. Little is within walking range of the whole area, so most households drive, with the beaches the exception for people living near them. The community runs on that mix of trail, tide and village streets, so beach days, village strolls and college events can share one afternoon for people who live nearby, and the college gives the middle of town a steady daytime pulse. Seacliff State Beach and the Cement Ship sit at the northern edge, and New Brighton State Beach is the nearest place to camp while the campground at Seacliff State Beach stays closed. Capitola Village lies up the coast for a different kind of day out.