Scotts Creek Beach: The Best Kept Beach in Santa Cruz County, California

Scotts Creek Beach is located several miles north of Santa Cruz, just past the smaller town of Davenport. The wide beach is located on a small cove where Scotts Creek meets the sapphire blue Pacific Ocean. Mudstone cliffs rise up on either side of the beach, making the beach a beautiful spot for picnics. To the east of the beach is a saltwater marsh that can be reached by crossing the highway, or taking the tunnel that Scotts Creek passes through underneath the highway.

There is no lifeguard and a strong undertow at Scotts Creek Beach, so family swimming is not advised. But the water is cold enough that most families will content themselves with wading anyway.

The wide, clean sands of Scotts Creek Beach make it ideal for family picnics. Bring along sand toys for the kids and a kite to fly. The weather can also be cool because of an ocean breeze, so a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt is also advised.

There are footpaths that lead up to the top of the cliffs on the south side of Scotts Creek Beach, which offer a great view of the beach. The top of the cliff is also a perfect place to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. The marsh on the east side of the beach also has trails that can be reached by following Scotts Creek across the highway. Stay on the trails since the marshland is an important habitat for local birds.

The northern end of Scotts Creek Beach is a popular surfing spot near Santa Cruz. But like all of Northern California, the water is cold so surfers will need to bring a wetsuit. Kite surfers, who use a large kite to pull them along, have also been seen at the beach. When there is wind, sailboats can also be seen in the small cove.

There are no shops, restaurants, or stores along the beach, so bring along everything you will need: sunscreen, food, water, and bug repellent for the evening or morning. Otherwise, the town of Davenport is only a few minutes away by car.

Scotts Creek Beach is a pet friendly beach, so feel free to bring along your family dog to enjoy the day with you.

To get to Scotts Creek Beach, take Highway 1 north out of Santa Cruz. The beach will be on the west side of the highway, just north of the town of Davenport.