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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
Area History State had acquired in 1931 for Sunset State
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
loss of public access to the beach became snakes.
obsidian. They also hunted small game, elk,
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
were a food source, and streams supplied this sensitive resource.
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 advance. 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
smelt can be caught at Manresa. At Sunset or from the camp host.
and Heermann’s gulls, and surf scoter. Sea
surf perch, sardines and occasional striped • Dogs are not permitted on Sunset Beach
mammals include California gray whales,
bass are caught. A sport fishing license is but are allowed in the campgrounds.
occasional dolphins and sea otters.
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, rearing for special events at Sunset State Beach,
• Seacliff State Beach, 51/2 miles south
of young, and winter habitat. This bird call (831) 429-2857. At Manresa picnic tables
of Santa Cruz (831) 685-6500, 429-2850
builds its nest directly on the beach sands. along the top of the bluff offer panoramic
• The Forest of Nisene Marks, 6 miles south
Disturbing a posted plover nesting area is a ocean views.
of Santa Cruz (831) 429-2850, 763-7062
violation of federal law. • Glider port— Remote control glider
• 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
• Campsites at both parks This park receives support in part
campfire programs.
Accessibility is continually being through a non-profit organization.
• Camping—Sunset has 90 shady, dune-
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.