Scott Creek
Sand-bottom beachbreak and rivermouth north of Davenport, where Scott Creek meets the Pacific. Wave shape depends on the sandbar the creek builds each season.
When it’s on
Scott Creek works best on a WSW to NW swell. Light offshore wind from the northeast. Mid to low tide window.
Spot intel
- Parking
- Roadside pullout on Highway 1 at the creek mouth. Short walk over sand and cobble to the beach.
- Crowd
- Light. The stretch is exposed and cold, and the lineup spreads across the bar.
- Beginner-friendly?
No.
Rivermouth currents, a shifting bar, open-ocean exposure, cold water, and a documented white-shark presence on the north county coast. Not a beginner wave.
- Famous for
- A north Santa Cruz County rivermouth on the Davenport stretch of Highway 1, known for cold water and an empty lineup.
- Lineup etiquette
- Beachbreak priority is per-wave from the peak, not by lineup position.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 37.0410, -122.2300
- Shore faces
- SW
- Region
- Davenport, California
Common questions
- What swell direction is best for Scott Creek?
- Scott Creek works best on a WSW to NW swell.
- How big does Scott Creek need to be?
- Scott Creek is best in the 3-8ft range on a 10-16s period.
- What are the best conditions at Scott Creek?
- Light or offshore wind under about 8 knots, with the tide around 1-4ft.
- Where is Scott Creek?
- Scott Creek is a remote rivermouth in Davenport, California. The beach faces SW.
- Does GhostFingers forecast Scott Creek?
- Yes. GhostFingers grades Scott Creek with a six-tier verdict from swell height, period, direction, tide, and wind. iPhone, winter 2026.
Nearby spots
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