Coast Dairies State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coast Dairies State Park |
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Panther Beach
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 Coast Dairies State Park
Location in California
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| Location | Davenport, CA |
| Nearest city | Santa Cruz, California |
| Area | 5,843 acres (23.65 km2) |
| Established | 2014 |
| Governing body | private |
Coast Dairies is a beautiful state park located in Santa Cruz County, California. It's very close to the small town of Davenport. This park is managed as part of Wilder Ranch State Park, which is just south of it.
Coast Dairies protects a long stretch of coastline, about seven-mile (11 km) long. It also includes about 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) of important land along the coast. This area is a special place where nature thrives.
Exploring Coast Dairies Park
The park offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. You can explore its unique beaches and coastal areas.
Discovering the Beaches
The beaches at Coast Dairies can be a bit tricky to reach, but they are worth the effort. They are connected by the California Coastal Trail. This trail runs along the top of the cliffs, offering amazing views.
Some of the well-known beaches include:
- Sharktooth Beach
- Bonny Doon Beach
- Yellow Bank Beach
- Laguna Creek Beach
- Panther Beach
Many of these beaches also have other local or historic names. Each one offers a different experience for visitors.
How the Park Was Created
The land on the ocean side of Highway 1 became part of California State Parks in 2006. This area has been kept natural and undeveloped. The state park land stretches for about five-mile (8.0 km) along Highway 1, both north and south of Davenport.
In 2014, another important step was taken. The Bureau of Land Management (a government agency that manages public lands) bought a large piece of land. This land was about 5,800 acres (2,300 ha) and was located on the inland side of Highway 1. It was right next to the coastal park land.
Some of the land east of the highway is still used for farming today. However, most of this newly acquired land became part of the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument. This means it is now a protected area for everyone to enjoy.
