Ocean View Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Ocean View Park is a popular destination in California, located in the city of Santa Cruz.
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Summary
The park offers visitors breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Mountains. There are several good reasons to visit this park, including its natural beauty, the variety of activities available, and the many points of interest to see.
One of the main attractions of Ocean View Park is its beach, which is known for its excellent surfing conditions. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Additionally, the park features a large grassy area with picnic tables, playgrounds, and a basketball court.
Other highlights of the park include the Historic Wharf and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. The Wharf, which dates back to 1914, offers visitors stunning views of the ocean and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. The Surfing Museum, located in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, features exhibits on the history of surfing in Santa Cruz.
Interesting facts about Ocean View Park include its connection to the famous surf spot known as Steamer Lane. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, dolphins, and whales.
The best time of year to visit Ocean View Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and can be enjoyed in any season.
Overall, Ocean View Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Santa Cruz. With its stunning natural beauty, variety of activities, and rich history, it offers something for everyone.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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