Santa Cruz County
Davenport
A tiny coastal hamlet north of Santa Cruz where Highway 1 meets dramatic bluffs. Whale watching, quiet beaches, and a slower pace. About as far from the rat race as you can get.
Living in Davenport
Davenport is a tiny coastal town about 10 miles north of Santa Cruz along Highway 1. With a population under 500, it offers a truly small-town experience with dramatic ocean bluffs, whale watching, and a handful of local businesses. The surrounding area includes farmland, beaches, and state parks. Davenport appeals to buyers seeking solitude, stunning coastal views, and a retreat from the pace of city living.
What We Love
- 01 Dramatic coastal bluffs and ocean views
- 02 World-class whale watching from shore
- 03 Tiny village with a few local gems
- 04 Close to Waddell Beach and state parks
- 05 Rural, peaceful atmosphere
Education
Schools in Davenport
Ratings for every public and private school, from GreatSchools and Niche.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz High High | |
| Mission Hill Middle Middle | |
| Pacific Elementary Elementary · K-8 | |
Private
Niche
| School | Niche grade |
|---|---|
| Gateway School Private · K-8 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from Davenport to the Bay Area
Rush-hour drive times on Highway 17 to Bay Area tech hubs.
| Employers | Peak drive time |
|---|---|
   Netflix, Zoom, Adobe +5 more Los Gatos to San Jose, Santa Clara | 55-70 min |
   Apple, Amazon, Google +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 1h-1h 20m |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 37m |
24 notable spots
Around Davenport
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Davenport Beach.
Beaches
Shark Fin Cove
0.5 mi, 3-min bike ride
- Bonny Doon Beach 0.9 mi
- Panther Beach 1.6 mi
- Scott Creek Beach 2.8 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
6.9 mi, 17-min drive
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park 11.4 mi
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 7.4 mi
- Fall Creek Unit 6.2 mi
Recreation
West Cliff Drive
9.5 mi, 23-min drive
- SCM Community Fitness 7.3 mi
- Anahata Hot Yoga & Wellness Center 7.3 mi
- Pasatiempo Golf Club 9.2 mi
Grocery & Markets
7.3 mi, 18-min drive
- New Leaf Community Market 8.8 mi
- Whole Foods 10.1 mi
- Trader Joe's 9.6 mi
Shopping & Dining
Costa Azul
0.2 mi, 4-min walk
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Davenport
- Is Davenport a good place to live?
- Davenport is ideal for people who value solitude, natural beauty, and a tiny-town lifestyle. It has very limited services (no grocery store, few businesses), so residents drive to Santa Cruz for most errands. The ocean views and peaceful setting are the main draw.
- How far is Davenport from Santa Cruz?
- Davenport is about 10 miles north of Santa Cruz along Highway 1, roughly a 15 minute drive. The road is scenic but can be slow with traffic or fog.
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