3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park, United States of America - Beach Guide, Info, Photos

3 Mile Beach is a beach located within Wilder Ranch State Park, situated in the western part of Santa Cruz, California, USA.

To access the beach, visitors must hike along the Ohlone Bluffs Trail from the Four Mile Beach parking lot or another trail located further south. The Ohlone Bluffs Trail leads to Strawberry Beach, which some visitors consider clothing-optional, but it is illegal and citations are being given.

Parking near the officially signed 3 Mile Beach trailhead, located across from the address 3050 Coast Road on California Highway 1, is limited. Visitors must avoid blocking the gate when parking.

It is important to note that 3 Mile Beach is not clothing-optional and does not offer any facilities. Visitors are advised to bring their own supplies and to be respectful of the environment.

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3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park Photos Visitor Reviews Where to Stay near 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park? Where is 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park? 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park: Weather Today Beaches near 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park

Visitor Reviews

Visitor reviews highlight the natural beauty of the beach, with sightings of whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Visitors enjoy the peaceful atmosphere for relaxing or outdoor activities like hiking and biking. However, some visitors complain about the difficulty of accessing the beach due to the hike required to get there.

Where to Stay near 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park?

Visitors to 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park often stay in the nearby city of Santa Cruz, which offers a range of accommodations and attractions beyond the beach itself. Many visitors come for the area's natural beauty and outdoor activities, making Santa Cruz a convenient base for exploring both the beach and the surrounding region.

The following map shows available accommodations and their prices. See the full list of accommodation options here.

Where is 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park?

Latitude: 36.9616177 / Longitude: -122.1127436

3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park is located in Santa Cruz. The following map of 3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park shows the exact location.

Nearby destinations:

3 Mile Beach at Wilder Ranch State Park: Weather Today

📅 Friday, July 24, 2026

Summary
Full Forecast

This is a challenging day for a relaxing beach visit, and you might want to reconsider your plans. While the air temperature of 25.3 °C feels quite pleasant under the sun, strong winds are sweeping across the coast, making for uncomfortable conditions and creating choppy waters with high waves. The ocean is very cold at 15.0 °C and is definitely not suitable for swimming. Furthermore, with the UV Index reaching 8.2, the sun is very intense, so please ensure you wear plenty of sun protection if you do decide to head out. Between the blustery breeze and the rough surf, the beach is currently better suited for a brisk walk along the shore than for lounging or water activities.

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Air

Low / High	12.8°C/25.3°C
Feels Like (High)	23.4°C

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Sea

Sea Temperature	15.0 °C
Wave Height	1.5 m

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Rain

Rain Chance	0%
Rainfall	0 mm
Rain Duration	0 h

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Sun

Sunrise / Sunset	06:07/20:22
Sunshine Hours	13.8 hrs
UV Index	8.2
Cloud Cover	15%

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Wind

Speed	32.3 km/h
Gusts	38.9 km/h
Direction	NW