Sunset State Beach Brochure
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Our Mission Sunset The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the Monterey Bay offers s health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve a chance to watch dolphins, Manresa the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and sea otters and gray whales. State Beaches cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Shore birds, whitetailed kites, western snowy plovers and red-tailed hawks make Sunset and Manresa California State Parks supports equal access. their home. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (831) 763-7062. This publication is available in alternate formats by contacting: CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P. O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.TM Sunset and Manresa State Beaches 201 Sunset Beach Road Watsonville, CA 95076 831-763-7062 © 2003 California State Parks (Rev. 2008) Printed on Recycled Paper A peaceful campground under the pines, salmon and trout. However, the mission NATURAL HISTORY picnicking on the beach, and unmatched padres forever changed the lives of the Sunset State Beach supports four major views of Monterey Bay make Sunset State Ohlone by bringing them into the mission. plant communities and associated wildlife. Beach a favorite year-round destination. The effect on their culture and traditions was • Coastal scrub—Mock heather, bush lupine, Manresa State Beach rewards visitors disastrous, and their numbers were nearly beach sagewort, Monterey and robust with sweeping views of bluff-backed sand decimated by European diseases to which spineflower, coyote brush, poison oak, sand gilia and seaside woolly sunflower and sea, with the Santa Cruz Mountains they had no immunity. cover the sandy slopes and dunes. Wildlife to the northwest and the forested hills of From the 1830s to the 1870s, Ranchos San includes brush rabbits, dusky-footed wood the Monterey Peninsula to the southwest. Andreas and Bolsa del Pajaro encompassed rats, western fence lizards and pacific Sunset and Manresa state beaches are the area. In 1852 John H. Watson claimed gopher snakes. Song sparrows, rufous- approximately one mile apart off Highway 1. a half interest in Rancho Bolsa del Pajaro sided towhees, American kestrels, red- to build the town of Watsonville. His claim tailed hawks and Anna’s hummingbirds are was overruled eight years later, but the common. town continued to grow. Pajaro Landing, • Coastal woodlands—Introduced Monterey built in 1868, became a major produce pine, Bishop pine, and Monterey cypress are dominant. They support an understory shipping point before Southern Pacific took of coyote brush and sea fig that shelters over freight conveyance in the 1880s. In California pocket mice, pinyon mice, 1903 lumber dealer W. J. Rogers built Port chestnut-backed chickadees and Steller’s Watsonville to provide steamship service jays. Eucalyptus trees are a gathering place to San Francisco, but in 1913 the port went for monarch butterflies. bankrupt. • Dune mat/Coastal strand—Park managers Leslie A. Kester bought the land in 1919 are replacing the habitat-destroying and in 1938 sold it to dairy farmer William European dune grass with native beach Van Laanen. In 1983 Mrs. Van Laanen sold bur, sand verbena and beach sagewort to Walk-in campsites at Manresa State Beach attract white-crowned sparrows, California eight acres to be added to 159 acres the towhees, and dark-eyed juncos. The mouth State had acquired in 1931 for Sunset State AREA HISTORY of the Pajaro River shelters California Long before the arrival of Europeans, the Beach. The Van Laanen farm complex near brown pelicans, Caspian, elegant and royal Ohlone lived along the coast between San the entrance station includes a redwood terns, and California gulls. Deer mice and Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay. They frame farmhouse dating from the early brush rabbits live in low dune vegetation. traded mussel and abalone shells, as well 1900s. With increased private development Reptiles include black legless lizards, as dried abalone and salt for piñon nuts and in the area, residents concerned about a northern alligator lizards and coast garter snakes. obsidian. They also hunted small game, elk, loss of public access to the beach became the driving force behind public ownership of • Marshlands—The coast gum plant, pickle- deer and an occasional bear. Sea mammals weed and coastal salt grass of salt marsh this sensitive resource. were a food source, and streams supplied areas attract cinnamon teals, savannah sparrows, meadow mice and raccoons. PLEASE REMEMBER The willow, California bulrush and broad • At Manresa dangerous rip currents, cold leaf cattail in the wetlands at the mouth of water temperatures, and deep offshore the Pajaro River provide food and habitat holes make surfing and swimming for cinnamon teals, mallards, American hazardous activities for any but the bitterns, red wing blackbirds and long- most experienced surfers. billed marsh wrens. • It is illegal to remove or harm plants, Manresa State Beach supports two major animals or other natural features. plant communities and associated wildlife. Raccoon • Park hours: 8:00 a.m. to 1/2 hour after • Coastal scrub—Coyote brush, coastal sunset. Campground quiet hours: sagebrush and lizardtail grow on the bluff. 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Generator quiet Allen’s hummingbirds, lesser goldfinches, vehicles up to 31 feet. Parking for the 64 hours: 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. house finches, white-crowned sparrows, walk-in tent sites at Manresa Uplands is in • The speed limit is 15 mph. Watch out for rufous-sided towhees and brush rabbits a separate lot near the campground (no RVs children, pedestrians and bicycles. occupy the bluff and its understory. permitted). Reservations are recommended • Do not feed or leave food out for wildlife. • Coastal strand—Sea rocket, sand verbena from early spring through October. Call • Alcohol is not permitted on the beach or and beach primrose occupy intertidal (800) 444-7275 up to seven months in in the day-use area. and offshore environments, sheltering a dvance. Pets must not be left unattended • Fires must be confined to a fire ring and sand crabs and beach hoppers. Jellyfish at any time. attended at all times. and other organic material support • Fishing—Starry flounder, California halibut, • Wood gathering is not permitted. sanderlings, whimbrels, willets, western barred surf perch, striped bass and surf Purchase firewood at the entrance station or from the camp host. and Heermann’s gulls, and surf scoter. Sea smelt can be caught at Manresa. At Sunset • Dogs are not permitted on Sunset Beach mammals include California gray whales, surf perch, sardines and occasional striped but are allowed in the campgrounds. occasional dolphins and sea otters. bass are caught. A sport fishing license is required. Check with staff for areas open to dogs. Western snowy plovers use both beaches • Picnicking—To reserve two large ramadas NEARBY State PARKS and their foredune areas for nesting, r earing for special events at Sunset State Beach, • Seacliff State Beach, 51/ miles south of young, and winter habitat. This bird call (831) 429-2857. At Manresa picnic tables 2 of Santa Cruz (831) 685-6500, 429-2850 along the top of the bluff offer panoramic builds its nest directly on the beach sands. • The Forest of Nisene Marks, 6 miles south ocean views. Disturbing a posted plover nesting area is a of Santa Cruz (831) 429-2850, 763-7062 • Glider port— Remote control glider violation of federal law. • Zmudowski State Beach, one mile north enthusiasts will find a glider port at Sunset of Moss Landing (831) 384-7695, 649-2836 State Beach. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES • Moss Landing State Beach, in Moss Contact the park for information on the ACCESSIBLE Features Landing (831) 384-7695, 649-2836 Junior Ranger Program, nature hikes and • Restrooms in the beach day-use area This park receives support in part campfire programs. • Campsites at both parks through a non-profit organization. • Camping—Sunset has 90 shady, d une- Accessibility is continually being protected family sites without hookups improved. Call the park for the latest For information contact: Friends that can accommodate recreational information. of Santa Cruz State Parks, 144 School Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 429-1840 www.thatsmypark.org. .