Cowell Beach
About
Cowell Beach is a public ocean beach in California, about a mile from Santa Cruz. It's a straightforward stop for a day at the shore, with restrooms, lifeguards and accessible access on site. Swimming is allowed, and there is no fee to visit. Late summer into early fall is the warmest, driest stretch. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Santa Cruz show highs around 77°F in September, with only about one wet day a month from June through September. Winter brings highs in the low 60s and roughly 10 to 11 wet days a month. For time off the sand, Marsh Vista Trail and Spring Trail are both about 2 miles away. Climbers can head to the UC Santa Cruz area, about 3 miles off, and paddlers will find Soquel Creek roughly 9 miles away.
Beach Details
Swimming
Allowed
Lifeguards
On duty (often seasonal)
Parking
Available
Fee
Free
Restrooms
Yes
Accessible access
Yes
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Cowell Beach
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Year-round. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 61–77°F and lows of 41–55°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Santa Cruz, CA weather station, 2.3 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan63° high41° low
- Feb64° high43° low
- Mar67° high44° low
- Apr69° high46° low
- May71° high49° low
- Jun74° high52° low
- Jul74° high54° low
- Aug76° high55° low
- Sep77° high53° low
- Oct74° high50° low
- Nov67° high44° low
- Dec61° high41° low
Nearby
- Marsh Vista TrailHiking1.9 mi
- Spring TrailHiking2 mi
- Harvey West TrailHiking2.1 mi
- The Forbidden ForestRock climbing3.2 mi
- UC Santa CruzRock climbing3.2 mi
- Order of the Moose WallRock climbing4.5 mi
- Soquel CreekCanoeing8.7 mi
- Zayante CreekCanoeing9.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Cowell Beach
Best months: Year-round. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
63° / 41°
11 wet
Feb
64° / 43°
10 wet
Mar
67° / 44°
10 wet
Apr
69° / 46°
6 wet
May
71° / 49°
3 wet
Jun
74° / 52°
1 wet
Jul
74° / 54°
1 wet
Aug
76° / 55°
1 wet
Sep
77° / 53°
1 wet
Oct
74° / 50°
4 wet
Nov
67° / 44°
7 wet
Dec
61° / 41°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santa Cruz, CA, 2.3 mi away at 70 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
