Bonny Doon Beach

Bonny Doon Beach is a peaceful beach, site of a popular annual nude event held on New Year's Day. This beach was sold in 2001, and rumors persist that it may become a state park.

The Bay Guardian newspaper give Bonny Doon a grade of "A"

Santa Cruz County. North of Santa Cruz

• Peaceful clean beach
• Sunny, sandy
• Dogs allowed, and you may see a migrating whale
• This part of the coast is often foggy (and cold) all day
• After-hours assaults have become too common here. Get out before dark.
• Burglaries from parked cars are also a problem. Don't leave anything inside that's valuable.

• Mostly nude
• More women that at other area beaches
• Friendly crowd
• Mike says "One problem is the gawkers on the cliff, carrying binoculars and just sitting and standing there for hours, no shame at all!"

None, except for a nice, paved parking lotSwimming is not advisedBonny Doon Beach Map and Driving Directions

• Excellent
• Good, but with a few flaws
• OK
• Don't go there

See what others think.

Laws regarding nudity at the naturist beach vary by location and fines are stiff in some places. I have made every effort to provide accurate information, but the responsibility for knowing the law at Bonny Doon Beach is yours.

Nude or naturist beach neophytes, please be respectful of others and read the Nude Beach and Topless Beach Etiquette guidelines before you go to a nude beach and check the nudity laws too.