Twin Lakes Beach Activities

Twin Lakes State Beach
Junior Lifeguards

Every summer the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation offers its Junior Lifeguards program at Seacliff State Beach. Junior Lifeguards' teaches children how to deal with various water safety situations. The program consists of day camps (for 2021, 2-week long sessions) that provide instruction in first aid, CPR, ocean safety, rescue techniques, surfing and bodyboarding. For 2021, the Santa Cruz area programs are held Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The Santa Cruz State Junior Lifeguard Program is offered at Twin Lakes, Rio Del Mar, and Manresa State beaches for children ages 6-15. The program for 6-8 year-old children will only be offered at Rio Del Mar Beach, along with programs for 9 to 15 year-old children. The Twin Lakes Junior Lifeguard program meets on the Black Beach side of Twin Lakes Beach. Children new to the programs must attend one of the swim test tryouts. Check the website for dates and places.
Santa Cruz State Junior Lifeguards
(831) 212-7223 or (831) 476-4992

Twin Lakes State Beach 2021 Junior Lifeguard Schedule (ages 9-15)

Online Registration; Opens April 23, 2021, at 9:00 AM
Session 1 - June 14 - June 25, 2021
Session 2 - June 28 - July 9, 2021 (no JGs on July 5)
Session 3 - July 12 - July 23, 2021
Session 4 - July 26 - August 6, 2021
All sessions run from 9 AM to 1 PM.

Surfing

On the east jetty of the Santa Cruz harbor is Murph Bar, known for its hollow beach break. This two-way sandbar peak is the result of the dredging that goes on to keep the harbor mouth clear. The best time for Murph Bar is with the swell coming in anywhere from the northwest to the south. Another spot known as the Harbor is, not surprisingly, near the entrance to the harbor.

Boogie boarders have a great time at Twin Lakes Beach as do skim boarders and body surfers.

Monterey Bay Area Water Temperatures
Santa Cruz County Water Quality Reports

Twin Lakes Beach Activities

Schwan Lake

Reach the hiking trails around the north part of Schwan Lake by driving to the Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Avenue or via trails leading off the south ends of El Dorado Avenue or Live Oak Avenue. Those trails cross the railroad tracks to reach Schwan Lake.

Trails lead through the open land, willows, and oak woodland around the north side of Schwan Lake. The area is particularly good for birding. Look for ducks on the lake, cormorants roosting in the eucalyptus trees, and in the pines for golden-crowned kinglets and pygmy nuthatches.

Volleyball

Four regulation-size volleyball courts are located at Harbor Beach on the east side of the harbor entrance, south of the main harbor parking lot. The courts are open to the public for use.

Shoreline Beach Club provides a quality junior beach volleyball programs for girls 11 - 18. They have beginner, intermediate and advanced sessions at Harbor Beach.
Club Shoreline Volleyball