Public access between the bluff-top campground and the beach has been rebuilt in south county at Manresa Uplands State Beach, located about 15 miles south of Santa Cruz. The seasonal 64-site campground at Manresa Uplands is about a half mile south of Manresa State Beach, a popular day-use area. Reconnecting Manresa Uplands’ campground to the beach via the staircase was a priority for State Parks in order to provide a high-quality visitor experience. 

Access to the beach from the uplands was closed due to El Niño storms in March of 2016; creating and repairing infrastructure that can withstand climate-driven disasters and sea level rise is the “new normal” on the California coast. In addition to camping and surfing, Manresa Uplands is popular for birding. Some common birds to spot are red-tailed hawks and white-tailed kites as well as meadowlark and several varieties of sparrows. The coastal sage scrub community along the terrace border provides habitat for wildlife associated with shrubby vegetation, such as Allen’s hummingbird, lesser goldfinch, house finch, white crowned sparrow, rufus-sided towhee, and brush rabbit.