by Natalie Jabbar, Sunset editorial intern

I took a day trip to Santa Cruz last weekend, hoping to find a serene spot away from the the crowded beaches and infamous boardwalk, where I would inevitably be lured into eating far too much funnel cake.

I found just that spot at Natural Bridges State Beach. Nestled at the northern tip of the scenic West Cliff Drive, Natural Bridges is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet picnic, fly a kite, or simply take in a great view, which includes the beach's namesake, a "natural bridge" composed of rock (pictured above).

If you're lucky, you may even sight some otters, a migrating whale, or other sea creatures, depending on the season. This beach also houses the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve, where from Mid-October to February you can walk through an oasis of eucalyptus trees dotted with over 100,000 monarchs. I'll definitely be returning to Natural Bridges in the future--what are some of your favorite, tucked away spots in the West?

DON'T MISS:

If you venture to Santa Cruz during these waning weeks of summer, you can also attend a performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” just the way the Bard would have wanted you to--in the middle of a redwood forest. The repertory company Shakespeare Santa Cruz will be performing that whimsical play, along with  “Julius Caesar” and the Bay Area premiere of Donald Margulies' “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment” through August 30th.

EXPLORE SOME MORE:

If you have a few hours to spare, drive south about 25 miles from Santa Cruz to another quiet sea escape, Moss Landing. This idyllic beach town could be the perfect pit stop on the way to Monterey if you want to make a night of it and rest by the water for awhile.