When we left Kirk Creek we had the idea that we would get to New Brighton around 1:00, set up camp, take showers and go to the store – before our relatives came. However when we arrived the site wasn’t open yet, so we joined a few other campers down in the day use area. We used to live and work in Santa Cruz and were married here.
Our campsite wasn’t vacated until 3:00, which impacted our family gathering with cousins and siblings. The site is open but there is a small bit of privacy, just need to bring a sun shelter next time – which a lot of campers had. The campground was packed with kids riding bikes and having a great time. We had neighbors on one side the entire 4 days , but behind us and next to us the sites changed daily.
Site 36
Five siblings – 3 of which lived at New Brighton SP.
Dinners in the campground are always the best. Homemade beans, potato salad, radish and bean salad, chicken and bread! S’mores for dessert – although I just like the marshmallows!
Access to the beach was perfect. The Sunday we arrived there was evidence of the weekend crowd, but during the week the beaches were less crowded and pleasant.
Sooooo many gulls! And the houses on this part of the beach are incredible!
One night we ventured to Seacliff SB after dinner at Manuel’s in Aptos. We wanted to check out the campground (parking area) and beach. Might have to try it next trip due to the availability of a lottery system to get a site.
On the Seacliff pier everyone was catching mackerel almost with every cast, and the birds were going crazy too.
One of the days we were at New Brighton we took our bikes up to the bike staging area to ride into Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. The bike ride was easy and we pedaled on a road – some traffic initially then a locked gate – up to the Loma Prieta Town Site and hiked into the epicenter of the earthquake (1989). The park is well known by hikers, joggers and bikers, and there is even a Buddha shrine under a bridge to visit.
