Welcome to New Brighton State Beach
At New Brighton State Beach, a mile-long expanse of soft sands connects this popular recreation spot with New Brighton State Beach, where high wooded bluffs provide a matchless view of Monterey Bay. New Brighton, once known as China Beach, was the site of a Chinese fishing village during the 1870s and 1880s.  The village inhabitants proved invaluable in the building of the California railroad, and provided Santa Cruz with fish, produce, laundries, chefs and laborers. Other settlers took over the village from the Chinese, who moved to Monterey. Commercial fishing slowed after dragnet fishing was outlawed in 1915, and New Brighton became a state beach in 1933. Fishing, camping, hiking and swimming are favorite family activities at New Brighton State Beach.

Any and all photos on this listing were provided and approved by this business. Permissions were received to use these photos to promote the business.