Stairway to Beach (Via Palo Alto)
About
Stairway to Beach (Via Palo Alto) is a public ocean beach in California, about 0.2 miles from the community of Rio del Mar. There is no fee to visit. Late summer into early fall is the driest, warmest stretch. At the Watsonville airport weather station 5.4 miles away, typical September highs average about 75°F, and June through September average only about two wet days a month. Winter runs cooler and wetter, with highs near 61°F. For time on the trails, Aptos Rancho Trail lies about 2.2 miles away, with Oak Ridge Trail and Terrace Trail both within about 3 miles. South Camp, about 5.8 miles off, is the closest campground.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Parking
Available
Fee
Free
Restrooms
None
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Stairway to Beach (Via Palo Alto)
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 61–75°F and lows of 39–53°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Watsonville Muni Ap, CA weather station, 5.4 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan61° high40° low
- Feb62° high42° low
- Mar64° high43° low
- Apr66° high45° low
- May69° high48° low
- Jun72° high50° low
- Jul72° high53° low
- Aug73° high53° low
- Sep75° high52° low
- Oct74° high48° low
- Nov67° high43° low
- Dec61° high39° low
Nearby
- Aptos Rancho TrailHiking2.2 mi
- Oak Ridge TrailHiking2.8 mi
- Terrace TrailHiking2.9 mi
- Vienna Woods TrailHiking3.3 mi
- South CampCamping5.8 mi
- Soquel CreekCanoeing6.9 mi
- Pajaro RiverCanoeing7.9 mi
- Order of the Moose WallRock climbing9.2 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
