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GhostFingers · Central Coast · Davenport

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.

Davenport Famous spot

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.

When it’s on

West through northwest groundswell with light offshore wind from the northeast. Mid to low tide window.

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.

New to reading a forecast? Start here.

Launching winter 2026.

Six-tier verdicts for every California break, calibrated to swell, period, direction, tide, and wind.

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