Capitola

Pleasure Point is a seaside community in Santa Cruz County known for its breezy cliffs overlooking the blue waters of Monterey Bay. On a bright-lit summer day, dozens of surfers can be seen floating atop white-capped ocean waves while residents and visitors take in the view from 30-foot-tall bluffs. The neighborhood is primarily residential, with small beach cottages and bungalows lining the streets as well as some perched on the cliffs. “It’s a great place to raise kids. There are lots of beach activities, lots of sunshine,” says Realtor Ben Strock of Exp Realty, who has lived in the area for more than two decades. Located between the city of Santa Cruz and Capitola, the community is just a few miles from coastal hotspots like the Santa Cruz boardwalk and Downtown Santa Cruz. East Cliff Drive Parkway’s walking paths wind along Pleasure Point’s seaside bluffs, offering benches and overlooks to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the Pacific. Misty mornings give way to sunny afternoons along the waterfront. Locals and visitors can bring their beach towels and umbrellas to Corcoran Beach or Moran Lake Beach during the spring and summer months. Community parks include Floral County Park, a small green space with a playground and picnic tables. The nearest public indoor space is Capitola Community Center, which is next door to Opal Cliffs Elementary School. Mountainous hiking destinations and scenic redwood forests are found nearby at Henry Cowell Redwood State Park and the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Pleasure Point has a vibrant commercial strip on 41st Street where locals meet up for coffee, dinner and drinks. Murals and brightly painted buildings blend in with the coastal flora, adding a dash of color to this laidback strip. It's also a very walkable community. "You don’t have to drive to the grocery store or to the coffee shop. It’s amazing. There are days that go by where I don’t get in my car,” says Realtor Bri Steel of Live Love Santa Cruz, who lives in Pleasure Point. Surf shops, independent restaurants, breweries, markets and cafes can all be found here. Some popular spots include Verve Coffee Roasters, Pleasure Pizza, Taqueria Vallarta and Betty Burgers. The nearest grocery stores are Whole Foods and New Leaf Community Markets. Capitola Mall, about a mile from Pleasure Point, has a Target, Macy’s and Kohl’s. Homes in the neighborhood are typically on narrow, residential streets, and a select few stand along the cliffs with spectacular views of the ocean. Most residences were built in the early and mid-20th century, and styles include everything from beach bungalows and ranch homes to custom builds and Craftsman homes. Yards are typically on the smaller side, but what they lack in size is made up for with rich, effusive landscaping, palm trees and tropical foliage. Smaller homes further inland typically list for between $1.2 million and $2 million. Larger, upscale homes perched near the edge of ocean bluffs can fetch between $3 million and $10 million. Students may attend Soquel Elementary School, which holds a B rating from Niche. The elementary school has been a fixture in the community for more than a century and serves about 430 students every year. For sixth through eighth grade, students may attend New Brighton Middle School before moving on to Soquel High School. Both schools earn A-minus ratings. More than 95% of Soquel High School seniors go on to attend two- and four-year colleges. Pleasure Point is about 3 miles from State Route 1, a major regional commuter corridor that connects with other coastal towns and cities such as Capitola and Half Moon Bay. Travel can be hectic around rush hour as people leave and return for work. For those who prefer public transit, the neighborhood is served by several Santa Cruz Metro bus lines. The nearest hospital is Dominican Hospital, which is about 3 miles away in Santa Cruz. The medical center has more than 350 beds, an emergency room and several specialty care centers. Pleasure Point is at an increased risk for flooding because of its proximity to the ocean. Several major storms have swept through the area in recent years, damaging parts of the coastline. Floods marred Moran Lake Beach in December 2023, and the county government is pitching in to help rebuild it.