After enjoying lunch at Padaro Beach Grill (check out my other posts about that hidden gem), we took a leisurely stroll down to Santa Claus Beach. With a name inspired by the Jolly Ol' Elf himself, how could it possibly disappoint?
Accessing the beach was relatively straightforward, though it did involve climbing over some rocks that line the shore and separate it from the trail and Surfliner train tracks. I saw a woman who looked about six months pregnant navigate the rocks safely, as well as a couple who seemed to be in their late 60s or early 70s. Since no one appeared to have any trouble, I figured I could handle it too. It took about three minutes to get from the trail, which runs directly off the road, to the beach. No big deal.
Once we reached the beach, it was absolutely stunning. There were no bugs or sand flies, no trash, no unpleasant odors, and the sand was clean, fine, and soft. The water temperature was quite pleasant, and I would have gone for a swim if I had brought a change of clothes. Best of all, there were no crowds or noisy groups. It was heavenly.