Davenport is a small historic coastal town located along Highway 1 on the North Coast of Santa Cruz County. Named after former whaling captain John Davenport, the town was founded in 1868 at the mouth of Agua Puerca Creek. Davenport initially developed around a 450-foot wharf used to ship timber, tanbark, cordwood, and other materials up and down the California coast. While the wharf was abandoned in the late 1800s due to high operating costs, the town later experienced renewed activity when the Santa Cruz Portland Cement Company began operations in 1906, shaping much of the area’s industrial history.

Today, Davenport remains intentionally quiet and understated, with only a handful of well-known local businesses. The Davenport Roadhouse is a longtime favorite for coastal travelers and locals alike, offering food well-suited for a picnic or a relaxed stop along the coast. Lundberg Studios is internationally recognized for hand-blown art glass, producing vases, paperweights, lighting, and custom commissions that draw visitors from far beyond the region.

Real estate in Davenport reflects the pace of the town itself. Homes are limited in number, turnover is infrequent, and the community places a strong emphasis on preserving its rural coastal character. Properties north of Davenport, outside the town limits, share a similar feel with dramatic coastal settings and wide open landscapes. Davenport appeals to buyers looking for privacy, history, and raw coastline rather than convenience or scale.