Davenport Pier Beach

Davenport Pier Beach Holly Prz (Atlas Obscura User)

This gem lies right off the Pacific Coast Highway in the town of Davenport, just north of Santa Cruz.

The view from the roadway is inspiring, as visitors will find old pilings of a defunct pier that stretches out into the Pacific Ocean. To get to the beach, one must traverse down a sea cliff. This is not a defined trail and although ropes have been strategically placed by previous visitors, it remains a steep trek that should only be attempted by abled individuals.

Once down at the beach, an abandoned, graffiti-covered dwelling greets visitors. The beach itself should only be accessed during low tide. The crown jewel of this picturesque beach is a swing seated under the ruins of the old pier. It allows visitors to swing with the rhythm of the waves and stare out into the expansive ocean. This has become a favorite spot for amateur and professional photographers.

Update as of April 2021: It appears the swing is currently broken.

Update as of September 2022: The swing has been repaired.

Know Before You Go

Pay attention to the tides, the beach and swing are only accessible during low tide. The descent to the beach is a difficult climb, and it will be harder when you go to leave, and unless the tide is very low it is isolated from other beaches, make sure you are confident that you can climb back out when you need to leave. There are no trash cans or amenities at the beach, so please take garbage with you when leaving. There are no signs off the road, however, the beach is directly across the street from an old concrete plant. There is a turnout to utilize for parking.