Bonny Doon Beach, CA

Bonny Doon Beach is a hidden beach. Well, not really.

But, you would never know it’s there 11 miles north of Santa Cruz if you’re zipping up highway 1.

Ride Empire Grade downhill towards Santa Cruz, and head west towards the ocean onto Pine Flat Rd. Wiggle wiggle downhill while passing by two fun rides: Ice Cream Grade & Smith Grade, when you hit the ocean at Highway 1, there’s parking long Highway 1.

Quick walk over the railroad berm and there’s the beach. The county is currently converting the railroad bed to a paved bike path.

Can’t see it from Highway 1, and surrounded on three sides by high sandstone cliffs, get there on the right day and the sky is blue and the ocean even more blue.