Beachcombing in Davenport, California

The unrivaled sea glass found at the tiny coastal town of Davenport, California, is as unique as its locals and the beaches themselves. Up the hill from the beach is the Lundberg Art Studio, where handmade glass has been manufactured since 1970. Due to heavy flooding in a storm that overflowed the San Vicente Creek, large bins of the “end of day” glass (discarded blown-glass trimmings) stored behind the studio spilled downhill, washing through the creek and into the ocean.

These pieces of glass have for decades been tumbled by the waves, becoming the much sought-after Davenport sea glass (sometimes referred to by locals as “nuggets,” or the largest, softball-sized ones, as “boulders”), now considered the most rare and beautiful in the United States because of their colors and patterns.

But there’s a problem for beachcombers hoping to find some of the colorful sea treasures. Sea glass hunting at Davenport beach isn’t strolling along a shoreline picking up pretty colored glass. This is extreme sea glass hunting, usually performed in full wetsuits by beachcombers and divers who know the surf. The spot where the choice “nuggets” wash up for about a half-second before the next wave comes is known as “the pit,” and there’s never really dry sand there at all—just the ocean, its crashing waves often as high as 20 feet or more, pounding against a cliff.

The bravest of the hunters line up at high tide in an almost hierarchical formation, in alternating order of fearlessness. The deeper in the pit, the less warning you have when the waves come. Extreme sea glass hunters in the pit have two choices when the huge waves arrive: curl up in a ball in the sand—“duck dive” the wave and let it roll over you—or brace against it.

It’s risky: if the wave wins control, you may get to sit and go for a ride, or get thrown into spin cycle in the biggest washing machine of them all, with huge rocks in the mix. The very rocks that work to tumble the glass you seek are now pummeling your shins, ankles, and other extremities. Severe bruising and broken limbs are commonplace.

There’s an odd faux-secrecy around the beach location, and some glass sellers and makers do not disclose that their wares are from Davenport (though anyone who knows sea glass would recognize Davenport glass almost immediately because of its distinctive patterns). This behavior is not a Davenport exclusive, however; many great glassing beaches are home to some very territorial and proprietary beachcombers.

Unofficially, there are 5 beaches in Davenport: Davenport Pier Beach, Davenport Beach, Secret Beach of Coast Dairies (hidden below a farm between Davenport Cove and Davenport Beach), Davenport Cove Beach, and Bonny Doon Beach.

• A whaling captain named John Pope Davenport settled at El Jarro Point, about half a mile from present day Davenport, in 1867.
• Current Davenport, California, Population: 408
• The original Davenport jail was used only twice from the time of its construction in 1914 until its decommissioning in 1936.It still stands today, part of a coastal history museum.
• A photographer’s dream, the Davenport Pier, was built in 1933-34, and stretched 2327 feet into the ocean, the first all-welded steel pier on the Pacific Coast; used primarily for only 15 years, a major portion was washed away in a 1955 storm.
• James Lundberg founded his glass studio in tiny Davenport in 1970, and Lundberg Studios still produces remarkable art glass, vases, and lamps that can be found today in the White House, the Smithsonian, and different museums across the country. Lundberg glass can be credited with some of the more extraordinary sea glass finds today.

Where to Stay

Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant and Inn
Just off Highway 1 and a block from the ocean, billed as an historic roadhouse in an old beach town, complete with guest rooms and suites, a full restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a gift shop featuring locally made gifts. Reasonable rates.

Dream Inn
Fifteen minutes down the road in Santa Cruz, boasts bright rooms in a beachfront hotel, complete with bar and restaurant. Well reviewed, and close to the Santa Cruz Wharf, and the thrill rides on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

West Cliff Inn
Gorgeous inn 20 minutes south, originally built in 1877 by a carpenter turned 49er who made his fortune in gold; has seen many incarnations, until it was completely renovated and remodeled as a B&B in 2007.

Get a peek at an unbelievable collection of sea glass from Davenport ›

Check out other great places to beachcomb in Santa Cruz County ›

Learn more about the best beaches and destinations for sea and beach glass, seashells, fossils, rocks, and more beach finds around the world. Articles ›

Watch videos about all the colors of sea and beach glass

This article appeared in the Glassing Magazine July 2017 issue.