Big Creek Beach (Las Trancas)

Big Creek Beach is below steep bluffs between Greyhound Rock Coastal Access and Waddell Creek Beach in northern Santa Cruz County. The most direct access to the beach is across from Big Creek Lumber Company where a steel gate blocks access to a dirt landing strip on top of the bluff. There is room to park a few cars outside of the gate without blocking it.

Surfers are the main users of this beach which they call Waddell Reefs. There are tide pools galore here especially at low tide. If the tide is not high, you can walk in either direction on the beach to public access points at Greyhound Beach and Waddell Beach. The land at the bluff is the lumber company’s private property so park at your own risk and leave if asked. If you don’t want to worry then park at Waddell Creek Beach and walk south on the beach to the obvious rocky reef area.

Address

3564 Highway 1
Davenport, CA 95017

Other Names

Waddell Reefs, Las Trancas Beach

Owner

State

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Surfing, Tidepooling, Beach Walking, Beachcombing

Amenities

Tide Pools, No Facilities

Links

Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart