Panther Beach is a beach destination situated in Coast Dairies State Park near Davenport, north of Santa Cruz in the USA. It is also known as Yellow Bank Beach due to the presence of Yellow Bank Creek that curves through the sand. The beach is comprised of fine, golden sand and is surrounded by towering cliffs.
A rock wall opening on the south end of Panther Beach provides access to Hole-In-The-Wall beach, which is more secluded. Both beaches are clothing-optional, but swimming and climbing on the rocks at Panther Beach can be perilous due to rip currents, sneaker waves, and strong surf. A man-made tunnel through the bluff wall at the back of the beach provides access.
The parking lot entrance is unsigned and situated off Highway 1 around one mile south of Bonny Doon Road and Bonny Doon Beach. The trail to the beach, which is located at the far north end of the lot, can be challenging, particularly when wet.
Panther Beach is slated to become a California state beach, which will likely make it a more sought-after destination for beachgoers.
Visitor reviews highlight that the beach is a great spot for sunset photography, with the hole in the wall providing a natural frame. However, visitors complain about the lack of signboards and unclear directions for reaching the beach, and warn of steep hills and falling rocks. Some also mention a memorial for a girl who was overtaken by waves.
Most visitors to Panther Beach often stay in nearby Santa Cruz, which offers a variety of accommodations and easy access to other attractions in the area. Some might also opt to stay in the quaint town of Davenport for a more laid-back experience close to the beach.
The following map shows available accommodations and their prices. See the full list of accommodation options here.
Latitude: 36.9930111 / Longitude: -122.1705565
Panther Beach is located in Santa Cruz. The following map of Panther Beach shows the exact location.
Nearby destinations:
| Low / High | 14.6°C/16.6°C |
|---|---|
| Feels Like (High) | 17.6°C |
| Sea Temperature | 16.2 °C |
|---|---|
| Wave Height | 1.5 m |
| Rain Chance | 4% |
|---|---|
| Rainfall | 0.8 mm |
| Rain Duration | 2 h |
| Sunrise / Sunset | 05:49/20:31 |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Hours | 0.0 hrs |
| UV Index | 8.2 |
| Cloud Cover | 100% |
| Speed | 13.7 km/h |
|---|---|
| Gusts | 22.3 km/h |
| Direction | S |
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