Santa Cruz, Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay curves for about 31 miles of nearly unbroken sand between Santa Cruz and Monterey. Santa Cruz has the boardwalk and the surf breaks. Capitola is a small village on its own beach. Aptos, Rio del Mar and Pajaro Dunes have rows of houses and condos set directly on the sand, which is where most of the bay's beachfront rentals are. At the south end, Monterey has Cannery Row and the aquarium, Pacific Grove has a rocky shore with a walking path, and Carmel has a white sand beach at the foot of the village.