01
Best overall pick
Bonny Doon Beach
Bonny Doon Coastal Bluffs • Wild, Scenic Sandy Cove • Go-To Spot For Classic Views
A broad crescent of sand backed by dunes and high cliffs, with a remote feel just steps from Highway 1.
Bonny Doon Beach captures what people love about this stretch of coast: sweeping views, soft sand, and room to spread out. The trail down from the bluff is steep and can be loose underfoot, so good shoes matter more than flip-flops. Expect strong afternoon winds and a relaxed attitude about swimwear on the far ends of the beach; come earlier in the day if you want calmer conditions.
02
Most dramatic cliffs
Panther Beach
South Of Bonny Doon On Highway 1 • Rugged Pocket Beach With Arches • Best For Photographers And Sunset-Watchers
A cliff-walled cove with sculpted sandstone, sea caves, and a raw, untamed atmosphere.
Panther Beach feels like a secret, tucked below the bluffs with rock arches and tide-carved caves that light up at golden hour. Access is via an informal turnout and a steep, sometimes muddy path, so it’s not ideal for small kids or anyone unsteady on their feet. Surf and currents are powerful here; most visitors come to wander, explore the rock formations, and watch the waves rather than swim.
03
Quietest local cove
Davenport Landing Beach
Just North Of Davenport Village • Sheltered Pocket Beach • Ideal For Mellow Picnics And Tidepooling
A small, low-key strand at the old landing, with offshore rocks that help soften wind and swell.
Turn off at Davenport Landing Road and you’ll find a modest pullout leading to this understated local favorite. The beach has a more intimate feel than the larger open coasts nearby, making it a nice choice for a relaxed picnic, beachcombing, or sitting with a book on a foggy afternoon. There are no real facilities, so plan to pack out everything you bring and time your visit around the tides if you want to explore the rocks.
04
Windy surf break
Scott Creek Beach
Between Davenport And Waddell Creek • Open, Wave-Battered Sandbar Beach • Best For Surf Checks And Big-Sky Walks
Where Scott Creek meets the ocean, forming shifting sandbars, strong currents, and long, open views up and down the coast.
Scott Creek Beach is about space and energy: big skies, steady winds, and powerful surf that draws experienced surfers and hardy walkers. Parking is right off Highway 1, but there are no amenities beyond the view, so bring your own water and layers. The creek mouth can change shape with storms and rain, so give it extra respect during high flow and stick to walking the firm sand at lower tide.
05
Kite and wind hotspot
Waddell Beach (Waddell Creek)
Mouth Of Waddell Creek At Big Basin Coast • Wide, Windy State Beach • Top Pick For Wind Sports And Long Strolls
A broad, flat beach where steady winds fuel kiteboarding sessions while the creek valley leads hikers inland.
Waddell Beach sits at the northern edge of this coastal run and feels built for motion, from the kites in the sky to the waves rolling across the sandbars. There is a state beach parking lot, basic facilities, and easy access to both the shoreline and the Waddell Creek trail corridor. The surf and currents are strong and the wind can howl, but that same energy makes it a great place to stretch your legs and watch the action on the water.