Freedom offers convenient living near Watsonville
Freedom is a small community of about 4,000 in Pajaro Valley. Located next to Watsonville, residents have convenient access to the city’s big-box and grocery stores, retail and ethnic restaurants. The community is also surrounded by city parks and beaches along the Pacific Coast, making it easy for residents to enjoy outdoor recreation and community events. “We live in a beautiful area and there’s a sense of community here,” says Kim Turley, Realtor at Tri-County Real Estate Associates Inc. with over 15 years of experience. “We have beaches, trees and we are close to the mountains. We also have great diversity, and people let you be who you are.”
Ranch-styles and New Traditional homes in Freedom
Bright-colored houses in Freedom sit along quiet neighborhood streets, and many have fenced-in yards and front-facing attached garages. Comprised of 20th-century ranch-styles, cottages, and New Traditional homes, many properties have Spanish influence with stucco exteriors and tile roofs. Houses typically sell between $700,000 and $1.5 million, and those farther out on rural or forested terrain may have larger land parcels. “I would say those looking for a three-bedroom on a 6,000 to 8,000 square foot lot can expect around $750,000 to maybe $1.2 million,” Turley says. “Most houses are not that high unless they are out in the country and have lots of acreage.”
Restaurants and shops in Watsonville
For shopping and dining, people can go to Watsonville, a city located right next to Freedom. The city has an eclectic international food scene with many American, Mexican and Asian restaurants. Popular eateries include California Grill and Bar, which serves American fare with locally-grown produce, and Cilantros, a casual spot known for authentic Mexican food, margaritas and live mariachi music nights. Safeway and big-box stores like Home Depot and Target are also nearby.
Outdoor opportunities in Santa Cruz County
Residents can take a quiet walk at Castro Adobe State Historic Park, which is home to an 1840s rancho hacienda, the two-story building Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe. People can take a tour to see the historic building and have a picnic at the orchard. Pinto Lake offers boating and fishing opportunities, and Pinto Lake City Park has camping areas. Franich Park has sports fields, basketball and volleyball courts and picnic areas. About 5 miles away, Manresa State Beach in Sunset Cove is a local spot for surfing, dolphin and whale watching.
Prospective schools in Pajaro Valley Unified School District
The community is served by Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Students may attend Calabasas Elementary School, which gets a C-minus grade from Niche. Aptos Junior High School has a B rating and serves students in seventh and eighth grade. Aptos High School scores an A-minus and partners with Cabrillo College to provide students with dual-enrollment courses. For private schooling, students may enroll in Green Valley Christina School, a prekindergarten through 12th-grade school in Watsonville that does not have a Niche score.
Distance to Santa Cruz and San Jose Mineta International Airport
The area is bordered by U.S. Route 1, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is also known as Pacific Coast Highway. Highway 1 is connected to other coastal cities in the state, and Santa Cruz is about 15 miles west. San Jose Mineta International Airport is about 45 miles away, and public transit is provided by Santa Cruz Metro. Watsonville Municipal Airport and Watsonville Community Hospital are adjacent to the community. “The airport is super small and only private jets fly in there, so it doesn’t bother people,” Turley says.
Events in Freedom and Watsonville
Freedom Library organizes many events for area residents, including an art workshop series in the summer called Art Adventure, a tie-dyed party in July and a monthly social called Golden Game Time. Watsonville has many popular festivals, like the Watsonville Strawberry Festival, which draws back to the area’s agricultural roots and features live entertainment, strawberry treats and family activities.
