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Lighthouse Field State Beach facts for kids

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Lighthouse Field State Beach
Steamer Lane 11-08-09.jpg
Visitors watching Steamer Lane waves from Lighthouse Field State Beach
Lighthouse Field State Beach is located in California
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Location in California
Lighthouse Field State Beach is located in the United States
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Lighthouse Field State Beach
Location in the United States
Location Santa Cruz County, California, USA
Nearest city Santa Cruz, California
Area 38 acres (15 ha)
Established 1978
Governing body California Department of Parks and Recreation

Lighthouse Field State Beach is a cool protected area in California. It's a special beach that's part of the state park system. You can find it in the city of Santa Cruz, right at the northern end of Monterey Bay. This beach is famous for its amazing views of Steamer Lane, a super popular spot for surfing. The park also has the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, which is inside a lighthouse built in 1967. This awesome place covers about 38 acres and was created in 1978.

Amazing Animals and Nature

Lighthouse Field State Beach is a very important place for nature. It's a winter home for many monarch butterflies. These beautiful insects travel long distances to spend the colder months here. You might also spot other animals like California sea lions playing near the water. Look up, and you might even see American black swifts flying around. This park is a great place to see different kinds of wildlife.

Fun Things to Do

There are lots of fun things to do at Lighthouse Field State Beach! One of the biggest attractions is Steamer Lane, which is known worldwide for its incredible surfing waves. Many surfers come here to catch the perfect wave. Every Christmas, the park hosts a special event called "Caroling under the Stars." It's a fun time for everyone to sing holiday songs together. You can visit the park any time of year, and it's free! There are nice walking trails to explore and great spots for watching wildlife. You can also enjoy a picnic with your friends or family. The park even has public restrooms and outdoor showers, which are super handy after a day at the beach.

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