Shark Fin Cove really is a hidden gem. I saw it online and have had it saved for a while, but I was not too far from there adventuring the coast and decided to finally come check it out. Looking into it, I had seen a few reviews focusing on litter and people there taking photos(?), so I wasn't sure what to expect, but maybe we caught it on a good day. When we went, it felt peaceful and absolutely beautiful. It's a short but steep hike down, so be ready for that. Once you're at the bottom though, it's completely worth it. The way the cove is shaped makes the sound of the crashing waves feel amplified, it's dramatic and so calming at the same time. There's a small cave to the right when you first get down into the cove, we looked inside but didn't go all the way in. Closer to the water, there's another cave that opens out toward the ocean, which was really neat to see. Such a cool natural spot to explore and take in nature. I did notice a piece or two of trash, but instead of complaining and leaving it there, I just picked it up. My fiancé always brings a bag with us on hikes, beaches, or nature walks in case of any forgotten scraps. It's too beautiful of a place not to take a second to care for it. Definitely recommend checking it out :) read more

Visited Shark Fin Cove Beach and it was absolutely stunning! The dramatic cliffs, hidden cave, and crashing waves made it feel like a little slice of paradise. Such a peaceful spot to unwind, take in the ocean views, and soak up nature's beauty. Definitely one of the most breathtaking coastal gems along Highway 1! Trail down to the beach is a short but steep, rugged walk across abandoned railway tracks and down a cliffside trail. read more

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I just happened upon this place when looking for things to do around Santa Cruz and I'm shocked more people don't seem to know about it - even our local guide in Carmel wasn't familiar with it! It's only maybe 20 min from Santa Cruz boardwalk and it is stunning! It's a pull-off from the road, walk over some railroad tracks and across a dirt road - then you see this gorgeous view! We didn't attempt to make it down to the beach, which would need to be timed with the tides I'd imagine, but it was absolutely worth seeing from the bluff/cliffs read more

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First time here, and I was so enamored with the beauty of the entire area that I'm already aching to return. There's a small parking lot along highway 1, but it gets crowded so if you're visiting on a weekend, good luck! The climb down to Sharktooth Beach is a bit steep, but not too bad as there's a bit to grab onto with your hands and feet in that narrow rocky pathway. Once you get down there, it's amazing! Multiple caves can be found, flowing with water the day I visited. Rock formations all around, creating a picturesque setting. A beautiful shoreline with crashing waves, the sounds of the sea spellbinding. The enclosed beach area surrounded by tall cliffs and offering soft powdery sand, you'll never want to leave. Oh yes, of course the giant "shark fin" too, adding to the uniqueness of this place. I recommend going on a weekday when it's not congested and you can more fully appreciate the scenery and connect with nature. But it's really something special anyday. read more

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Shark fin cove is still a spot I want to visit as we completely missed the location and thought the beach we were at with a similarly looking shark fin shaped rock was the right location. We stayed there for about an hr enjoying the beach vibes (a bit chilly on the day we went), playing board games, and people watching with no clue that we weren't at the right spot. However, when we finally drove away, we saw the actual shark fin rock and it was much bigger than the one at the beach which was almost next to the real shark fin cove if we had driven a bit further down. Still need to come back to check out the real shark fin cove but the beach spot is nice! read more

604, 47/2023 Good bye to youuuu ( ToT) SFC has been discovered on the social media and is now crowded with posers. There's even graffiti now and mostly filled with photo mongers and partiers. Since many seem to leave trash behind, it seems to be buggy. Prior to this nuisance, it used to be a desolate natural wonder. Only a few ventured down to the beach due to a very steep path, so when you got down, there were a handful of people having their solitude with the Rock and the crashing Pacific. Gone are those days. It's great that more peeps are enjoying this cove but I didn't come to see photo attention mongers and graffiti here. I was disappointed on arrival with TOO MANY people and tainted scenery. Perhaps this place will be out of favor on social media when I visit next. read more

Shark Fin Cove - 8/23 iiiick! Crowded ... about 50 peeps - Beaches Near Me - Davenport, California

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This stop was more worth it than I expected. The fin is HUGE! I don't know why I assumed it would be small and underwhelming. It's a nice little beach area but clearly a favorite spot for parties/bonfires, so watch your feet if you're walking barefoot. read more

Shark Fin Cove - Beaches Near Me - Davenport, California

Very very beautiful beach for sunrise and sunset little hard to get down to so be warned but oh so worth it nice place to swim and connects to another beach!! Sad to see so much liter from everyone after parties there or events wish it had more trash cans or people took trash with them read more

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This place is amazing! The way down to the beach is really hard to walk. Basically there's no way, it's just a lot of rocks and dirt. The way is narrow, steep and slippery, even dangerous to walk. But when you finally get to the bottom, you'll feel it's totally worth it. The shark fin rock and the cave are stunning. The water is so blue and green and the waves are so powerful. It's very nice to walk on the beach, feel the breeze and listen to the ocean. Any random photo taken here is like a perfect post card. I will definitely come back again and enjoy more time here. read more

Tip: wear shoes! There's a short slightly steep hike down to the cove. Beautiful place with hiking trails and views of the Pacific. Free parking on the side of the road with close easy access to the trail. read more

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A great place for photography by the bay! It's about an 18-minute drive from Santa Cruz! This beach is not many people know about it, but the scenery is absolutely beautiful! There are two beaches in total, and you can visit both or choose one. The main challenge is parking. If you go to the first beach, you'll need to walk about 10 minutes along an abandoned railway to reach the next beach! As shown in the picture. The railway is also incredibly scenic, and I took a series of photos there. The address is: Shark Fin Cove, Davenport, CA 95017. The beach is stunning during sunset, and the golden hour is perfect for photography. Unfortunately, I encountered cloudy weather and could only take pictures at the second beach. So, it's best for you and your friends to check the weather before going. The beach is called "Shark Fin Cove," which is quite interesting. It looks like a vertical shark fin in the middle, very distinctive! read more

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Man, I've probably driven past this spot at least a hundred times over the years and never decided to stop. I went on a Tuesday afternoon coming home from a camping trip, as I wanted to hit up something new to me. The good is on a Tuesday, parking was easy to find on that side of the road. You can park on the other side, but now you'll be sprinting across the street versus cars going 50 mph plus. I don't recommend it for everyone. Lol So, just a few miles north of Santa Cruz on highway 1 there's a very small town of Davenport. One of its beaches is this tiny secluded cove. But it is not just your ordinary cove. First it is a good 60 feet plus down from the road. The sheer cliffsides surround it like a Greek amphitheater. The steps going up or down are steeper than the norm. Can't be joint challenged here or have a fear of heights. Then there are these massive rock formations that add to the spectacle of the place. The first is this monster flat slab of rock that juts from the sand to the ocean. Not sure if this gets covered on higher tides. But the day I went, people were playing and lying on this smooth rock surface, literally as the waves were crashing just feet away. Then there's this large rock probably 20-30 feet tall that has a huge tunnel bored out of it. Doesn't look that natural to me as there were carving marks on the rock. But don't know for sure. But it does look pretty damn cool, as you can see waves crashing on the other side of it from the sand on the other side. And the noises it makes is just intense, as the sounds of the ocean and its crashing waves are amplified through this tunnel. Plus anyone who comes here takes pics either inside or around it. You'll probably have to take turns doing so, welcome to the social media years, yadadada. Just hope you don't get behind one of those wannabe Insta-models towing their photographer bf. If so good luck on getting a chance to snap a pic unobstructed. And the main attraction is this other massive rock formation right in the middle of the water not that far from the beach itself. This thing is probably 40-50 feet and is in an uncanny yet undeniable shape of a shark's fin. I was very amused of this spectacle, that I would most likely come back to share with others...just as long as it is a thinner weekday crowd. I'm sure this place is mobbed on weekends. I haven't scanned any of the other reviews, but I'm sure the horror experiences are there. read more

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The beach is about 15 minutes from Santa Cruz on Davenport town. I tried to follow this address and it lead me to farther down which was wrong location. This beach in across from a Davenport town which had couple small shop across from it. There is parking next to the beach. The road getting down to the beach is not that difficult but do not recommend those who had disability issues. Going up back is much easier than going down. You can't miss this beach once you see a rock forming like a shark fin. There are another rock which looks like a hole/cave that you will see the water waves hit through it. You will see people bonfire at night and enjoying their sun tan in the afternoon. Surrounding this beach, you will see tons of hiking trail and railroad track. This beach connects to several other beach on highway 1. It is beautiful beach with the unique rock formations on the water. read more

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Really pretty beach located just off of Highway 1 near Davenport. The beach is pretty small but it's usually not too packed. Careful walking around, can be quite a bit of garbage and things you don't want to step barefoot on. Other than that though beautiful little beach worth stopping by during your travels! read more

Shark Fin Cove - View from the cliffs just across the railroad tracks. - Beaches Near Me - Davenport, California

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This place gives me Studio Ghibli vibes, in particular Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. This spot is about a 10 minute drive from Santa Cruz along a very scenic highway 1. Parking is free and on the side towards the ocean. It has gorgeous coastal views and a long pathway that hugs the edge for you to stroll along. This place is perfect for a bit of day camping, relaxing, picture taking, and just for enjoying the coast/the flowers in bloom. read more

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This is a nice little spot. In my personal opinion, I think it's a cute little stretch of the ocean. There's also some old railroad tracks in the sand near when you walk from the parking lot. Idk if they're running anymore, doesn't look like it (but keep a look out lol), but you can get a cute pic near the tracks with the surrounding sand. It's pretty picturesque in itself. Walking along the cliffs with the ocean on one side and the weeds / ice plants on the other side is also very nice. I'll stop to take a few pics of the ocean, of the sun glittering across the water, and of course of the "shark fin" shaped rock. All very cute and def instagram worthy to me. It's just a nice little getaway outside. Fresh air. Beautiful view. What's not to love? Plus the trail by the cliffs usually isn't very busy since most people want to visit the beach down below. I prefer walking the cliffs myself. If you plan on going to the beach, def bring some good trekking shoes. If you've just got a pair of flip flops, def recommend just walking along the trail and not going down to the beach. The trek down to the beach is kinda treacherous, so only do it if you have good sturdy shoes on. Not a trek down for kids really, and def not stroller friendly. The beach is also not the nicest in my opinion because people just leave their garbage down there instead of trekking it back on the way up (please clean up after yourself if you do go down though!!). Overall, I really just love coming to this spot for a nice walk by the cliffs overlooking the ocean. If you feel like wine afterwards, there's also a Beauregard Vineyards right nearby. While their wine isn't my personal favorite, it's a lovely spot to sit with some snacks surrounded by the redwood forest. Great little spot to chill after your walk if you feel like it. read more

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This was one of the highlights to my Santa Cruz trip recently. Didn't know this existed until I was looking for hiking trails. I defintely wanted to go to the beach but wanted to go somehwere new in Santa Cruz beaides the same old places. I found this beach & immediately knew I had to go. It's not too far away from the main town of Santa Cruz and is a beautiful drive along the coast. The parking can be a bit limited but the views are worth a spot. The climb down is a little steep so you need to be careful but once you're at the beach make sure you have a camera handy to take pictures because this is defintely worth every shot. The ocean is so turquoise, the weather is perfect, and the beach is not packed which is my favorite kind of beach. It's a hidden little spot with rhe most genuine views that will make you want to travel more read more

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What a scenic stop! On a Friday at lunch time, there was plenty of parking (maybe a long make shit dirt lot for 25+ cars off the highway, and there were only 3 cars there including ours). It's a short walk from the parking area to where you walk down for the beach. The so-called path is dry dusty dirt with some rocks, that goes down to the beach. We were able to get down fairly easily with our ten year old. Once down there, you get a nice view of a rock that really does look like a fin. The downside is the beach is not really one too sit on for too long and play in the sand - there are flies all over. But the plus is there isn't a ton of people hanging out here. Some of the rock walls have been graffitied, and there is some trash (we took what we found) and some bond fire remnants. But overall, thus was worth the stop for some lovely pictures and to see what Mother Nature has to offer. read more

Shark Fin Cove - Shark Fin Cove - Beaches Near Me - Davenport, California

Rated #3 of 13 things to do on a popular website that advises people on trips, this is a 0.3 mile walk down a slippery, steep, bumpy, and narrow trail dug through the rock, safe enough as long as you use steady attention and good footing to avoid a tumble. The graffiti destroys the illusion of what is paradisiacal. Yes, that's a word and it's the first time I've used it. I am surprised it wasn't full of trash, given the lack of trash cans and the penchant of humans to be inconsiderate lazy buttmouths, so I commend the locals and tourists who have taken the care to take their trash up with them. The sandy cove area is surrounded by 75 foot high cliffs too sheer to climb, so you feel like you're in a special place that would be perfect for a huge family reunion, that is, if you didn't have to worry about Grandma falling down the trail and breaking the other hip. The star attraction is the shark fin rock itself. Though you can clearly see and photograph the rock from above, the best vantage point is directly across from it on a rock platform that gets soaked from waves depending on the tide. This means that if you are daring (stupid) enough to turn your back to the surf exploding behind you, with a little patience you will get a dramatic shot. (My wife got my shot within a minute). There's a "beach" on both sides- the beach to the left side is like a long driveway that leads up to a manmade cave (with a home leading back to the sandy area). Though potentially dangerous, this "driveway" was attracted kids who ran from the splashing surf. The beach to the right is likely too rough and deep for most people, though I saw people swimming in it (not sure who came back in- I didn't do a head count). Though Big Sur and Hawaii might have prettier beaches (according to my friends who wanted to approve my review), this is likely the coolest beach I've seen. But don't take my word for it: "When California's oceanside beauty meets Jaws, you get this striking beach with a rock formation off-shore that looks exactly like a shark fin."- (These Gorgeous Beaches In California Are Perfect For Photography- Calfornia Beaches) "GEOLOGIC WONDER NO. 1: SHARK FIN ROCK. How does a rock end up looking like the appendage of a cartilaginous fish? If only there was an ancient myth handed down from generation to generation that told the story of a prehistoric megalodon who hunted the waters just off the cove's shores to explain the origin of this rock. Alas, there's not, so we'll let science give us the more down-to-earth version. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years ago the shark fin was an extension of the mudstone cliff that encloses this beach. Over the years, the force of the crashing waves and whistling winds steadily eroded away the rock in a process called coastal geomorphology. The rock now stands as we see it today: A small island that catches the light at sunset so compellingly that photographers travel from all over the country to capture its timeless beauty. Really, this is geology at its finest.- (Geology and Geocaching at Shark Fin Cove- Molly Lautamo, Santa Cruz Life) "If you have never seen Shark Fin Cove, then you are missing out on one of the best beaches in all of California. This beach is easy to get to, but you have to know where to look. When you see the fin coming out of the water, you will quickly realize where it got its name and will be transported into a magical world where things like this actually exist.." - (Shark Fin Cover: One of Northern California's Best Beaches- Josh, California Through My Lens) Ok, I guess that's the end. Fin. read more

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Yes, it's a small beach. Yes, there's a little graffiti around. Yes, there might be some trash. Yes, the climb down is a bit steep, but it's a short climb and doable (and I'm 60 and have no stamina and a heart condition. It was EASY compared to that ridiculous Pfeiffer Falls hike). But JUST GO ANYWAY! Seriously, this was a fantastic beach, the best we saw on our 10-day trip up and down the Pacific Coast Highway. Why? Because of the spectacular sea cave where if you go at the right time, the waves just come crashing through and you can get as close as you want to them. We only found one other place on the PCH you can do that, but this place was even better than that one. I could have stayed a lot longer here just enjoying watching the waves come through this cave, but we had to get going. We got there around 10 a.m. and there was a nice man hauling bags of trash off the beach, just a nice guy doing a nice thing, he was not a park worker (we asked). We had the beach all to ourselves, no one else around until we left, and then 2 more people showed up. If you're a nice person, do yourself and everyone else a favor and pick up one piece of trash and get it off the beach. If a bunch of folks did that, this would be a cleaner beach. And if you're the type of person who brings stuff down to this beach, then take it with you when you leave. I mean, come on. P.S. The sign at the top of the trail says "Shark Tooth Beach," not "Shark Fin Cove." read more

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First time checking this place out and it's beautiful. My only thing is the graffiti and vandalism on some the rocks, takes away from the natural beauty of the place but that's just my opinion. There's only one way up and down and it can be somewhat steep and tricky when going with small kids. Once down it's a beautiful place. We had actually tried to come here for sunset but it was so gloomy and overcasted we did not catch any sunset. It's also cold when we came so make sure you have layers. The tide was high and the water was super cold. There's plenty of side parking around the area when we got there as people were leaving. I'll have to come back next year when it's warmer hopefully. read more

Shark Fin Cove - Cutest little waterfall - Beaches Near Me - Davenport, California

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A small beach you can stop by if you're in the Santa Cruz area. There is not much of a parking lot, more like a strip a dirt you can park you car in. You need to walk towards the ocean where you'll find an abandoned railroad tracks. Right across that is a steep descent to the beach. The hike down only takes about 5 mins, but well worth the view. The tides here are harsh and I would suggest staying away from the waters. There's also a lot of kelp and flies in areas. When I visited there were a couple people pitching a tent or just hanging around for a few short minutes to take photos. The beach is very relaxing, wish there wasn't graffiti on the rocks to ruin the view, but for the most part is a nice place to visit. read more

Shark Fin Cove - Shark fin cove - Beaches Near Me - Davenport, California

Awesome view but no bueno for fishing! The current is too strong and there's kelp beds everywhere! It's a steep and narrow walk down to the cove but it's worth the view! read more

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Worth the stop - we parked at the Bonny Doon parking lot. No parking fees. There's a hike down to the cove for a walk through it and a close up view of the fin. The whole area is beautiful and there were a lot of people in the water. If you like train tracks, then this is a must stop. The tracks line the bluff and looks really cool with the brush and sand. read more

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If you're looking for utterly jaw-dropping views of the NorCal coast, this is it. Drive up, walk across some pretty, abandoned railroad tracks, and behold the "shark fin," an enormous rock jutting out of the water, just off shore. A short scramble down a steep path leads you to a small, secluded beach, perfect for relaxing and taking in the view. For photographers, even better views can be had by climbing along the cliffside paths to the sides and looking down over the rocks. If you've got kids in tow, try to come during high tide when an archway serves as a blowhole for waves crashing up into it. The only downsides are that it's so easily accessible, you might find groups of other humans glutting up your fantasy of total seclusion, and there is definitely a problem with litter sometimes. Pack it out folks, if you don't want to be that guy. read more

Shark Fin Cove - Pretty self-explanatory. - Beaches Near Me - Davenport, California

The view is absolutely amazing but the walk down is really though and if you have kids, you are just better off not to go here. A lot of bugs on the sand. Can get crowded later in the afternoon. read more

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Absolutely worth seeing! You have to walk down a narrow steep hill to get to the sand. The waves crashing against the boulders were just breathtaking! There was a little waterfall down that same hill that was pretty. It wasnt crowded at all and was there on a weekend. If you love the ocean, this is a must see! I dont think its swimmable because of the crashing waves against the boulders... it was way too cold during our visit... its just beautiful to see the waves gliding over it all! read more

June 28, 2020 Beautiful beach but ruined by inconsiderate visitors who leave their trash everywhere. I hate seeing plastic bottles, empty pizza cardboard boxes and all the other human trash scattered around in such a beautiful place like this. The beach area is very small , tides can be unpredictable, currents below the sea surface in this area is considered extremely dangerous. This explains why we never see any surfers in this area. There are better beaches in Davenport, Santa Cruz area . There's no designated parking lot for this beach so you have to park on the side of the freeway. We saw scattered glasses by where we parked , looked like car break ins . I suggest not leaving any valuables in your car. read more

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so adorable to take candid and landscapes, during sunset time is the best, especially when it's a colorful sunset. read more

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A must-see. It's absolutely breathtaking. You can hike down to the water, but the path down is a little sketchy (loose gravel, no handrails, etc). read more

One of the best beaches in all of California. It is easy to get to, located just south of Davenport. When you see the fin coming out of the water, you will quickly realize where it got its name and will be transported into a magical world. read more

Shark Fin Cove - Beaches Near Me - Davenport, California

We stopped here on the way down to Santa Cruz as we wanted to drive the more scenic route on the coastline. We decided to stop here as it was a destination on the way and to get a break. There isn't much of a parking lot, as it's just dirt on the side of the road on a decline. You can see remnants of an old train track here, there is a lot of shrubs, wild flowers and grass around, a short walk to near the cliffside you can see the famous rock that is shaped as a shark fin and walk around a bit on the cliffs to see the cove and ocean below. For the adventurous people, you can actually descend into the cove within a couple minutes on a steep, dirt path. Once you get down it's a nice open, sandy space with huge cliffs surrounding you on all sides except the one that faces the ocean! There are some interesting features down here including a tunnel that connects to the ocean on the left, you can get even closer to the shark fin rock, and many rocks, beach paths that may be walkable but I never tried. In the end, this place isn't bad, it was pretty empty when we were there besides a few people and it was quite, peaceful and relaxing. It's unfortunate because there is a bit of graffiti everywhere that does kind of ruin the pristine nature of this place! read more

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Gorgeous beach, one of my favorites! Always a lovely time here ! The hike down to the beach is a bit steep, smaller kids or disabled folks may have difficulties accessing due to the steep entrance. read more

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I was searching scenic spots along Hwy 1 and came across Shark Fin Cove. I've been to Davenport once but didn't even notice this stop on the side of the road a few minutes from town. I am so glad I stopped here, it is so beautiful. My only regret is that I didn't pack a lunch and blankets to chill on the beach. Be warned the hike down to the beach is a little scary, the path is a bit steep and has loose rocks. But it's a relatively short trip down, 5-10 minutes depending on how cautious you are. Wear grippy shoes and take your time! Highly recommended packing a bag with drinks, snacks, and a towel to sit/lay on. Take some time to just chill and enjoy the view. It's also a great destination for photo ops, saw a few people taking graduation pics here. Trust me you will be glad you stopped here. You'll definitely appreciate the beauty of California. read more

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I can see why some people may like this beach. It's quiet and the "shark fin" rock is pretty neat, but other than that, nothing really stood out to me. First of all, the walk down to the beach is treacherous. If you come dressed ready for a beach (in sandals or flip-flops), the walk down is going to be incredibly difficult. Once on the beach, the first thing you will notice is the amount of trash left on the sand by previous visitors. The other major thing is how all the walls are defaced by graffiti. All in all, this beach was nothing spectacular. read more

This place is definitely underrated and hidden. It's extremely beautiful and ecstatic. One of my friends referred me to this beach and after seeing the pictures online I couldn't wait to make a trip. It's totally worth it. It's less crowded, beautiful and what else do you want in this Covid world? Put on your hiking shoes and stop here. You won't be disappointed. FYI: this place is not stroller friendly. We had to carry our 2 year old. read more

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Beautiful views! The trek down to the beach can be a little tricky, so if you're clumsy like me, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes with good grip. The tide can be unpredictable, as we got splashed by a wave while taking pictures (luckily our camera survived!). There was quite a bit of little, so if you decide to have a picnic, please make sure to clean up after yourself! read more

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OMG love it here, it's so beautiful! After watching a YouTube video showcasing this place and the abandoned Davenport pier, I wanted to see it myself. There is a parking area nearby but go on an off day NOT the weekend! I was aware there'd be a trek down so I wore sneakers but next time I'll wear sturdier hiking boots. That's only cause I'm older and not very nimble. There were a couple dirty blankets left behind but overall very clean. I could sit in the beauty of this cove ALL day read more

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This is a nice quick stop along the 1 in Davenport. Great for pics ...there's an old railway on top of the trail, a little cave by the cove and the super cool shark fin rock. The only thing is a little tough to get down to the cove if you have bad knees . read more

Really beautiful spot. Took a drive down here and really enjoyed it with my puppers. Would definitely come again. It's nice for taking pictures. I went when there was almost no one. So I got to enjoy it with friends. read more

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