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Westside · Davenport · Santa Cruz · Capitola

Lighthouse Field

Also known asLighthouse Field and Dog Beach
Coast · Field · Beach · Lighthouse

Grass field along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, looking out at Steamer Lane and the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. Dog-friendly.

What to expect at a glance
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You may see a few photos from nearby locations here. Many shoots span multiple spots in the same session.

$750 – $1,650

Ready when you are

Lighthouse Field

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Where we shoot, on a map

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From the photographer
Chris Schmauch
by Chris Schmauch, owner of GoodEye Photography

Grass field along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, looking out at Steamer Lane and the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse.

Grass field along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, looking out at Steamer Lane and the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse. Dog-friendly. Wide open horizon, especially for sunset. For sessions, the setting works best when there's a clear plan: which light, which path in, what the weather is doing. Chris's note on this location is in the field below — every destination here gets a real, photographer-tested read rather than a glossy travel description.

What to expect

The lay of the land

Footwear
Sand-friendly shoes or barefoot work best. Heels sink; long bridal trains pick up sand. Flats are great for the walk down and back.
Best Time of Day
Golden hour, about 45 minutes before sunset. The west-facing coast catches direct, warm low light that flatters skin and water alike. Midday and overcast sessions still work — softer light, less depth.
Best Season
Year-round. Winter and spring produce the cleanest light; summer marine layer adds atmosphere rather than killing sessions.
Weather
Coastal fog can linger from June through August but softens midday light rather than ruining it. Light rain, mist, and wind don't stop us.
Privacy
Public access — expect other people around. Long open stretches let us settle apart from foot traffic; weekday or off-peak sessions are noticeably quieter.
Drive times

Getting here

Downtown Santa Cruz10 min
Capitola15 min
Aptos20 min
San Jose45 min
San Francisco1 hr 30 min
Approximate, off-peak driving.
Worth knowing

A few things about Lighthouse Field

  • Paid or free lot adjacent to the sand; can fill up on weekends.

  • Dog-friendly in most areas; leash rules vary by season.

  • West-facing — chase the golden hour through blue hour, especially clear winter evenings.

Also known as

Lighthouse Field also appears as Lighthouse Field and Dog Beach.