The Other Lighthouse

Everybody's been to that cute little lighthouse with the green lawn all around it and a museum inside it, up above Steamer Lane.

How about visiting a lighthouse with more dignity—one that stands alone at the end of a rugged jetty, with the waves crashing below and the seagulls circling overhead.

Fortunately, it's not hard to get to. In fact, if you want to keep your shoes on, this is a great place for a hike at the beach.

Find your way (walk, bike, drive) to Aldo’s Restaurant at the north end of the Santa Cruz Harbor, at the end of Atlantic Avenue. To the right of Aldo’s, walk through the metal gate, and you’ll be on a semi-paved path with the harbor canal on the left and Seabright Beach on the right.    

It’s about a five-minute walk to the lighthouse, travelling onto the breakwater that protects the entrance to the harbor. There’s some sand on the path, and the surface is uneven in places, but it’s easy to walk on with shoes, it's possible to push a stroller on it, and some people even ride their bikes on it. 

As you get closer to the lighthouse, you’ll see the giant concrete “jacks” that are jumbled together to form the jetty. Their interlocking shape helps them stay where they’re put; it also helps that they weigh 20-30 tons each. The technical name for them is “dolosse,” and they were put in place by a crane, one by one. 

If the tide is high, or if the spray is splashing high enough to sprinkle the path, save your visit for a calmer day. A warning sign says that when the waves are high, they can wash over the paved path.

Since 1964, there have been several different structures that have served as lighthouses at the end of this jetty. The one that’s there now was dedicated in 2002 and is named the Walton Lighthouse. Charles Walton of Los Gatos was a major donor to the project. It is named in memory of his brother, Derek Walton, who served in the Merchant Marines. You can walk around the base of the lighthouse and pose for photos, but the tower itself is closed.

Looking out over the bay, you might see sailboats, catamarans, outrigger canoes, kayaks, stand-up surfboards and motorboats. On a good day, you might also see a pod of dolphins. 

If that’s enough adventure for you, you can now take a leisurely stroll back to the parking lot (and maybe stop at Aldo’s for some clam chowder on the patio).

However, if you’d like a little more exercise, there’s a beautiful stretch of beach waiting for you, going from the Harbor all the way north to the San Lorenzo River. I’ve seen people wearing their shoes on the beach here, but really, if you’re going to go to the ocean, you should at least dip your toes in the water. It’s about half a mile each way if you go all the way to the bluff that separates Seabright Beach from the river.

As you walk along the wet sand at the edge of the waves, little birds will skitter out of your way. In the distance, you can hear people screaming at the Boardwalk and sea lions barking at the wharf—sometimes it’s hard to tell which is which.

Cost (not including parking meters or clam chowder): Free

Dogs: OK on a leash

Difficulty: An easy walk along the jetty, though the path is uneven in some places. A good place to bring people who might not be comfortable walking on the beach.

Time needed: About 15-20 minutes for the walk to the lighthouse and back, plus as much time as you want for walking on the beach.

There is free parking on the street if you can find it. If not, there’s a nice big parking lot at the Harbor. The parking meters only take quarters, so come prepared. You can admire the sailboats as you walk up the hill toward Aldo’s.