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Beach, at Natural Bridges, State Beach
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A school bus load of middle-school children had been brought
to the beach that day. At first they ran and played until tired.
After this shot, they sat in a circle for a lesson.
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What was left of the natural bridges lay just off shore.
Wave action created the original bridges that connected to
the mainland. Wave action has eroded the bridges to this
one remaining span. Eventually, Natural Bridges State
Park will not have natural bridges.
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Perhaps it was the winter season, or perhaps it was
the current state budget woes, but on this day the
lifeguard station was closed. It should be noted that
it cost US $10 per car for day-use of the park.
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That early afternoon found three different kinds of birds
gathered on the beach. Gulls, Whimbrels, and Plovers were present,
likely because the beach was sparsely crowded that day.
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One advantage to a lightly occupied beach is that a child
can wander from his or her toys and the toys will remain until
a later return. Toy safety was also insured by banning
dogs from the park.
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Just up a rise from the beach was a picnic area. This
day was in late winter so the trees were not yet fully
greened. A man in a yellow shirt was the only occupant.
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One would expect a beach area this nice to be more crowded.
Note that this was the rainy season, still winter,
and the middle of the week. Weekends, the hot months of
spring, summer and autumn, or any dry time, this beach
will be crowded. The only barrier to entry was that US $10 day-use fee.
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Beyond the picnic area was a gentle sandy rise up to
the free twenty-minute parking area. For some, a quick
romp on the beach would be enough. Note that the beach
is three miles from downtown Santa Cruz. Distant enough to
not walk, but close enough to bicycle. Also note that both
the #20 and #3 buses run from downtown to this beach (a 34 minute trip) but
the drop-off point is at the far north of the park, about a
10 minute walk from the drop-off point to the beach.
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The park's visitor center had exhibits showing the flora
and fauna of the park. It also had this sign which showed
how the natural bridges have eroded over time, from 1900
to the present.
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