New Brighton State Beach is a chill 95-acre beach park in Santa Cruz County, California. It's got sandy shores, campgrounds, and killer views of Monterey Bay. Back in the day, it was called China Beach because of the Chinese fishermen who settled there in the 1850s. Nowadays, you can spot all sorts of wildlife like sea stars, pelicans, and even migrating whales. Plus, there are cool facilities like a visitor center, restrooms, and over a hundred campsites for those who want to kick back and soak up some sun by the ocean.