Manresa State Beach is a state-protected beach on Monterey Bay near Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California. Manresa State Beach has two different State owned and operated facilities associated with it: Manresa Main State Beach, and Manresa Uplands State Beach and Campground. It is operated by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The 138 acre site was established as a California State Beach in 1948. Manresa Main State Beach hosts the junior lifeguard program which teaching lifesaving, fitness and water safety to children.