Davenport Beach sits right along Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County, just across from the small town of Davenport. The parking lot is on the ocean side of the highway, which makes getting to the beach straightforward. From there, you’ll walk across the railroad tracks on one of several trails that lead down to the sand. The views of the Pacific are nice during this walk, and the coastal bluffs give you a real sense of where you are.

The beach itself is a good spot if you want to let your dog run around near the water and sand. Dogs need to stay on leash, so you won’t have them off running wild, but they can still splash in the shallow areas and enjoy being at the ocean. The sand is typical California beach—sometimes packed, sometimes softer depending on recent tides and weather. On clear days, you get decent views up and down the coast, and because it’s not as developed as some other Santa Cruz beaches, it feels less crowded.

The stretch of coastline here is pretty rugged, with rocky outcrops mixed in with the sandy areas. Low tide opens up more beach to explore, so timing your visit around tide schedules can make a difference. The water gets cold, as it does along most of the Northern California coast, so unless your dog is used to chilly ocean swims, they’re more likely to wade than fully dive in.

One thing to keep in mind: this is an unguarded beach, so there’s no lifeguard on duty. The parking area is relatively small, so on nice weekends it can fill up. Getting there early makes sense if you want a spot and prefer a quieter experience. The trails down to the beach are straightforward but can get muddy if there’s been recent rain.