The Area
Located on the Quiet North Coast
Davenport is a short scenic coastal drive from Santa Cruz, unencumbered by the heavy traffic that one typically encounters within the proximity of other beachfront towns. It is slightly more private, surrounded by untouched protected lands and organic farms, yet center stage to a world-class surf community. It is also centrally located to reach many points of interest north and south on Highway 1, with nothing but awe-inspiring nature along the way.
- 10 minutes to Santa Cruz
- 15 minutes: Pescadero
- 30 minutes: Half Moon Bay
- 45 minutes: Monterey Bay Aquarium
- 55 minutes: Carmel
- 1 hour to Stanford University
- 1 hour: SFO
- 1 hour 20 minutes: San Francisco
- 1 mile: Davenport / Santa Cruz 12 mi. Rail Trail
- 2 miles: Scott Creek Beach
- 4 miles: Laguna Creek beach
- 4 miles: Coast Dairies State Park
- 7 miles to Big Basin State Park
- 7 miles to Wadell Creek
- 10 mi. bike trail to Berry Creek Falls
- 10 miles: Ano Nuevo State Park
- 17 miles: Butano State Park
- 10 miles: Wilder Ranch State Park and the coast bike path
- 12 miles: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
- 12 miles: Pigeon Point Lighthouse and beaches
Swanton Berry Farm, a family favorite, is just a ¼ mile away and features an organic “U-Pick” strawberry field. They also offer coffee and organic treats.
Swanton Pacific Ranch is a 3,200-acre ranch on Swanton Road a ½ mile away. The ranch is owned and operated by California Polytechnic State University for education and research in sustainable agriculture. The Calpoly “UPick” apple orchard, is located 3 miles up Swanton Road. They offer 14 varieties of apples ripening at different times during the Fall season. A special picnic spot for folks in the know.
Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project on Big Creek Lumber property just off Swanton Road. The fish nursery is home to 30,000 threatened San Lorenzo River steelhead, 5,000 threatened Scott Creek steelhead and 1,700 endangered coho salmon hatchlings, all of which are used to restock nearby streams, The salmon and trout project, housed in an old federal hatchery near the headwaters of Big Creek, started in 1986.
Scott Creek Beach, 2 miles up HWY 1, offers surfing plus Kayak access to the winding Scott Creek, the same path that salmon and steelhead swim up to spawn.
Wadell Creek Beach, a world-renowned Kite Surfing spot, is located just 5 miles north on HWY 1. It also is the gateway to Big Basin State Park and its numerous hiking trails. It is an easy walk to access the new Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument which extends from the steep slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the marine coastal terraces overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The BLM’s Management Plan for these 6000 acres, calls for 27 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and dog walking. The majority of these lands are to be preserved for wildlife and natural habitat.
Swanton Road bicycle ride up through the redwoods and organic farms to the ocean overlook at Last Chance Road.
Ano Nuevo State Park, a breeding spot for the ever-increasing population of Elephant seals, is just 7 miles away. Visitors may schedule tours during the breeding season.
The town of Davenport offers hotel rooms, restaurants, convenience stores, a wine-tasting room, a bakery, and a coffee house. There is also a small town post office and fire station.
Davenport is also home to Pacific School. This Preschool, K thru 6 school offers a unique and much sought-after elementary curriculum that includes teaching its pupils vegetable growing and food preparation with the 4-6th grade students preparing the lunch for the student body each day. The music and arts programs are the envy of elementary schools in the county.
The Davenport Cement plant has been closed for several years and the property is being reclaimed from industrial use. Several options are currently under consideration.
Pacific Collegiate Charter School, 7-12th grades, voted as one of the top ten Charter Schools in the nation since its inception over 20 years ago is located at the entrance to Santa Cruz just 15 miles away.
Costanoa is a coastal California eco-adventure resort located 16 miles north on HWY1. Here guests can simply retreat from the concerns of everyday life and discover the pace of nature. They provide unique accommodations, California coastal cuisine, as well as a variety of spa and adventure activities.
