Obtain a map of the trails from the park office and
check with park staff to learn about the current trail
conditions. Often times, there are seasonal trail
closures. Please stay on marked trails to prevent
getting lost.
Make sure you let someone know where you are planning
to go and what time you plan to return.
Make sure you have plenty of food and water.
Make sure you bring the appropriate clothing and
equipment as weather conditions often change.
If you have a cell phone, bring it in case of
emergency. However, remember there maybe no cell
reception in remote areas.
In order to have an enjoyable and safe experience when visiting the parks bordering the ocean, follow these simple guidelines:
Remember the sunscreen
Young children are especially sensitive to sunburn. A good sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) is essential. You may also avoid the most intense hours of midday sunshine. Skin damage from the sun can put you at risk for skin cancer years later.
Assess the conditions
Look for fixed danger areas such as piers, jetties, or rocks and stay clear of them. These types of obstructions almost always have a rip current next to them.
Watch the surf
Waves travel in sets with long lulls between the set of waves. What may look calm one minute may not be calm in five or ten minutes.
Check the beach for litter
Heavily used beaches tend to accumulate broken glass, litter, and hidden beach fires from the night before. Don't let your kids play on or near fire rings or old beach fire pits. Fires covered with sand can retain heat and burn unprotected feet.
Look at the beach profile
A steep angled beach that leads into the water can be especially dangerous due to powerful shore break and deep water near shore. These types of beaches usually have very soft sand and a strong backwash making footing precarious.
Watch out for beaches the have large cusps or crescents carved into them. These types of beaches are typical in the south part of the county at places such as Manresa and Sunset State Beaches. You may notice that the beach has been cut back in one area then curves seaward in another. This indicates offshore sandbars have been built up and channels have been carved in between the sandbars by powerful rip currents. The danger zone is usually where the beach has been cut back with the longshore current feeding the rip current channel.
Recognize rip currents
In this case lifeguards on duty can really help you out. Ask the lifeguard to point out a rip current to you so you can see what one looks like. There will be little or no surf where the rip is. The water may be brownish or dirty compared to the surrounding water from turned up sand in the water column. However, this is not always true in deep water rip channels or where there is a reef underwater. The rip can extend out through the surf zone and then dissipate its energy forming a mushroom-shaped head. For more information on rip currents, visit the United States Lifesaving Association web site
If you are caught in a rip current, don't panic! Panic uses energy and affects your judgment. If you are on a body board, stay on it because this is your best source of floatation. Look around you. Where are the waves breaking and rolling to shore? That is where the sandbar is and the energy of the waves can help you reach the shore. Swim or paddle across the rip current to where the waves are breaking before heading to shore. This means you will probably be moving parallel to the beach for a while before you clear the rip. You need to fight the urge to head straight in. If all else fails just let yourself float and save your energy. Eventually the rip current will dissipate and you can make your way back in.
The State Parks in Santa Cruz District are known for
their spectacular beauty and their incredible
diversity. However, because of the ruggedness and
remoteness of some of the terrain, please prepare
yourself before visiting the parks.