Davenport, California

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Davenport is an unincorporated community in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. It lies along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, situated about 9 miles north of the town of Santa Cruz, on Highway One. It lies at 37°00′42″N 122°11′27″W / 37.011667°N 122.190833°W / 37.011667; -122.190833Coordinates: 37°00′42″N 122°11′27″W / 37.011667°N 122.190833°W / 37.011667; -122.190833 and is at an elevation of 65 feet. Originally on the banks of San Vicente Creek, the town expanded to the north during the twentieth century. The town is presently noted for the spectacular cliffs and bluffs above the Pacific, beaches in between cliffs, surfing opportunities, the cement plant run by Cemex, and the former headquarters of Odwalla, a company that makes fruit juices. St. Vincent DePaul Church, in Davenport, was built entirely of cement from the local cement factory in 1914 and is the subject of a famous photograph by Ansel Adams. Of historical interest is the Davenport Jail. It has two cells, and was used only twice from the time of its construction in 1914 until its decommissioning in 1936. Today it is a museum featuring coastal history supported by volunteers from ECV. The southern portion of the Ocean Shore Railroad operated between Davenport and Santa Cruz from 1907 to 1920. The Southern Pacific freight line between the two communities is still in place. Davenport has three restaurants, two art galleries, a store, a post office, and an elementary school - Pacific School, the only school in the Pacific Elementary School District. Davenport is also home to American Abalone, which is a producer of farm raised California Red Abalone. California farm raised abalone has been selected by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Watch program as an excellent choice for environmentally conscious seafood consumers. The ZIP Code is 95017 and the community is inside area code 831.