Day on the Beach
July 12, 2025
"Day on the Beach" video from our friends at Time.com
Day on the Beach, 2019, courtesy of Focus Films LLC
Join Us For Our Annual Fun, Free, & Accessible Adventure
Day on the Beach is the highlight of each year, when more than 300 people with special needs, 400+ family members and friends, and over 250 enthusiastic volunteers team up to share a full day of adaptive sports—kayaking, outrigger canoeing, SCUBA diving, beach wheelchair rides—and life-changing memories. Day on the Beach has given participants and volunteers an unforgettable experience of breaking through barriers to see dreams become reality. Our generous volunteers lay down over 170 pieces of plywood on frames, creating a unique 5,700 square foot platform on the sand that enables those with mobility issues to travel over it with ease to participate in all of our activities. We also offer beach wheelchair rides—an opportunity to explore the beach in a whole new way. Every year, we offer free live music and entertainment, free food, sandcastle building, and so much more. Participants of all ages—from four to 83 so far—have traveled from all around the country to attend. We hope you’ll take advantage of this special event, and to see you at the beach!
~ Santa Cruz Sentinel
Your Adventure Options:
Beach Party
Enjoy FREE live
entertainment, lunch, and beach activities such as Frisbee Golf, Sand Castles, Bean Bag Toss, and much more!
Outrigger Canoeing
Get into a large outrigger canoe, and be paddled into the Bay by experienced outrigger canoe paddlers! Routes are to be determined, but will probably go thru Steamer’s Lane and along the wharf.
Kayaking
The front seat view of a 2-person kayak is a great way to see the Bay! You’ll be paddled into the Bay by an experienced kayaker. Depending on conditions, the kayak trips will either travel along the wharf and watch otters and sea lions, or you’ll paddle into Steamer’s Lane, the world-famous surf spot and take a chance at seeing dolphins.
SCUBA Diving
For the extreme adventure lover only, Day On The Beach is offering SCUBA diving! Get into a wetsuit and explore the ocean with certified dive instructors. You will dive a few
feet, just to get an introduction to the sport.
Beach Wheelchair Rides
Trek along the Pacific shoreline with one of our fat-tire beach wheelchairs.
Beach Chair Ocean Rides/ Flotation
Get into a wetsuit, grab a beach wheelchair or boogie board, and float off of Cowell’s Beach. Volunteers will be with you as you hang out with the otters and other swimmers, and gently watch the day go by.
Day on the Beach is FREE for all participants. Let’s keep it that way.
Still have questions?
Don’t worry.
We’ve got answers.