In Santa Cruz, CA nearly every town is anchored by the beach, which means miles and miles of shoreline to sink your toes into. Some beaches are gently, others are vast and flat, and some are only accessible by navigating down steep, rocky cliff sides – not for the faint of heart! It all depends on what you’re looking for—accessibility, conveniences like bathrooms or food, a touch of seclusion, or maybe just the perfect spot for people and sea-life watching. Don’t worry—you’ll absolutely find a beach in Santa Cruz that meets your needs.
As a photographer, I love photographing my families at the beach. The water provides a neutral, timeless, and beautiful backdrop for sessions. Over the years, I’ve learned that some beaches, while gorgeous, come with challenges—like tricky access or distracting backgrounds (think hotels or even needing a 4×4 to get there). That’s why I’ve narrowed down my Top 5 favorite beaches—the ones I know I can count on year-round to deliver a great session. I’ve already shared one here, but today let’s talk about another on my list:
Blacks Beach
(also known as “End of 14th Ave” or formally, Twin Lakes State Beach)
This might just be my number one pick. Why?
Parking is mostly easy and free—a huge win in Santa Cruz. That said, summer can be a bit tricky because people tend to stay past sunset. Street parking is the biggest challenge during that season only.
The walk to the beach is short, which is always appreciated—especially with little ones or gear in tow.
It offers variety in backdrops, which makes for a diverse gallery. Think: rocky nooks, glassy shorelines, open sand, greenery, tree-lined edges, and even some tiny coastal cliffs.
It rarely feels crowded. Because the bigger, more popular part of Twin Lakes State Beach is just west of this spot (around the rocky point), it draws most of the crowds—leaving Blacks Beach feeling a bit more spacious and peaceful.
Even in winter, when the shoreline creeps up to the tree line, there are still cozy, tucked-in areas perfect for photos.
So if you’re dreaming of a beach session, keep Blacks Beach in mind. It checks all the boxes for beauty, ease, and versatility.
And of course—reach out to me here if you’d love to book a beach session. I’d be honored to help you plan something beautiful.
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