Davenport Beach Activities

Santa Cruz County

Davenport Landing Beach, Santa Cruz County, California
Davenport Landing Beach, Santa Cruz County, California

Davenport Beach Activities

Santa Cruz County


Surfing Davenport Beaches

Surfers like the Davenport area, partly because it's away from the Santa Cruz commotion and partly because the waves can be more reliable than at places like Steamer Lane.

Davenport Beach is best in the morning or evening when the winds aren't so strong. On weekends it can fill up, but most of the time there is plenty of room. Waves range from 3 to 5 feet, breaking both left and right. At times the surf can get really high and its best left to the experts.

Caution: Check that conditions are safe for your planned activities.



Davenport Landing Beach has a great break by the exposed reef by the cliffs on the north end of the beach. Also, a left reef on the south end of the beach. Watch out for rocks. Conditions are best when the swells are coming from the southwest. Surfers keep their eyes open for sharks here.

Scott Creek Beach is popular year-round with surfers. The reef break at the north end of the beach produces the best breaks. At times the surf can be pretty big. It is not a beginner's beach. Most surfers prefer the beach in the morning or evening when the wind isn't so strong. During the winter they know to look for a break along the middle of the beach when the action of the creek generates a sandbar.

wheelchair ramp at Davenport Landing Beach, CA

Davenport Landing Beach

Nearby Activities, Attractions, and Events

Emergency Davenport Beach Cleanup

June TBA, 2024
10:00 AM to Noon
Meet at Davenport Beach parking lot. Volunteers needed to clean the bach and trail.
Register online: Davenport Beach Cleanup

Wildflower Weekend

May TBA, 2024
Rancho Del Oso Nature and History Center, inland from Waddell Beach
(831) 427.2288
Free nature hikes to view the wildflowers at 12:00 - 4:00 PM.
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

Photography and Art Workshops

California Coast Photography workshop, November 13- 17, 2024 - Explore and photograph the unique features of the California coast.
Sea to Summit Workshops

Maryjo Koch Workshops at her studio in nearby Bonny Doon, 3 miles from Bonny Doon Beach.
Watercolor, gouache, journaling, and collage.
Maryjo Koch, Illustrator, Author & Naturalist

Davenport Beach, California



Photographing the Davenport Coast


The scenic beaches and rugged Pacific shore around Davenport attract photographers from across the state. Wave carved sea stacks, tide pools, waterfalls, tunnels, caves, and the rock patterns of the cliffs combined with the ever-changing surf, sky and light make rewarding subjects for the camera lens. A number of photographers specialize in the local beaches, from Davenport Landing and Shark Fin Cove south to Panther Beach and Hole-in-the-Wall.

Many photographers work at night with the light of a full moon casting a soft glow across the seascape. Sunsets are a particular favorite subject, along with close-ups of fascinating rock formations, dripping water, and rippling streams.

Mark Gvazdinskas
Rich color and dramatic settings are evident in many of Gvazdinskas' photographs. He also photographs in monochrome. View his work at
Silent G Photography.



Jay Tankersley
Tankersley creates stunning photographs of the Davenport coast with his use of slow exposures. Vibrant colors characterize his breathtaking sunsets. View his work at
Jay Tankersley Photography.

Thomas Allie
Thomas Allie specializes in landscape and adventure photography. He spends most of his time backpacking and out on trail, chasing the sunrise and sunset. Many of his photographs were taken along the California coast. Take a look at his photograph of Shark Fin Cove.
Thomas Allie Photography

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Ocean Safety

California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety