Aptos Hills- Larkin Valley is conveniently located in the middle of everything. Situated between Aptos and Watsonville, as well as between the Santa Cruz mountains and the Pacific Ocean, this neighborhood puts the "central" in Central Coast. With a topography defined by sloping valleys, the neighborhood is abundant in relaxing parks as well as cozy dining spots and beautiful homes.
Castro Adobe State Historic Park is one of the only two state parks in Santa Cruz County. Its adobe house, a long-standing property that endured the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake and since been restored, is open to the public. The park also often hosts programs. Scott County Park has a playground for the tots and picnic grounds and lawn areas for the whole family. Residents are also not too far from several local beaches when they live in Aptos Hills – Larkin Valley. Manresa State Beach, New Brighton State Beach and Sunset State Beach are each located within a ten-mile radius, offering multiple options to go swimming, surfing and fishing.
At Churchill & Beers, diners can enjoy wood-fired pizzas and craft brews in a casual, no-frills dining space. El Vaquero Winery Tasting Room includes live music along with their tasting events. Lito’s Community Café & Market boasts a rustic cottage-like interior with painted floral walls and serves coffee, pastries and more. When shoppers need to stock up grocery items, they can head to local grocers Cactus Corner or Seascape Foods. Alladin Nursery & Gift Shop carries a large selection of both everyday and unusual plant varieties to brighten up living spaces and outdoor gardens.
Country-like living and coastal ranch aesthetics are on full display in the residential areas. Single-family homes come in designs like ranch-styles and Craftsmans, although the occasional Mediterranean can be spotted as well. Santa Cruz County resident and Room Real Estate Founder Jayson Madani talks about the beauty and diversity of the residential areas. "The houses I sold there are beautiful, and they're so different and eclectic. You can get a little mountain cabin, a unique dome house or an estate with ten acres and a pond on it. You can also get an A-frame, a ranch house, or an estate with a lake view,” he says. With many constructions dating back to the mid to late 1970s, home prices typically range from $900,000 to $2.9 million. On average, properties remain on the market for 27 days, a figure that is significantly lower than the national average of 42 days.
Students are served by the Pajaro Valley Joint Unified School District. From kindergarten to sixth grade, they can attend Valencia Elementary School, which received a B-minus rating from Niche. Aptos Junior High School teaches grades seven and eight and maintains a B-rating. Aptos High School has an A-minus and is home to two student-run rock bands, The Honeysmacks and The Shredders.
Aptos Hills - Larkin Valley is close by California 1, which drivers can use to get to nearby neighborhoods. They can also take this route to travel much of the Pacific coastline, whether going north or southbound. Those who frequently drive and commute should know Watsonville is roughly seven miles eastbound while Santa Cruz is about 13 miles westbound. The Watsonville Muni Airport is about six miles away, and the nearest hospital, Watsonville Community Hospital, is also about six miles out.
Jessyka Sommers
David Lyng Real Estate
(831) 576-6392
37 Total Sales
1 in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
$1,500,000 Price
Luis Gallegos
Keller Williams Pacific Estates
(562) 337-3981
35 Total Sales
1 in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
$40,000 Price
Shawndy Linquist
Compass
(831) 708-6387
72 Total Sales
1 in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
$480,849 Price
Rick Patereau
Intero Real Estate Services
(669) 289-4968
20 Total Sales
1 in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
$1,200,000 Price
Nick Bailey
Bailey Properties
(831) 480-7001
70 Total Sales
2 in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
$565K - $985K Price Range
Kelley Trousdale
Santa Cruz Estates
(831) 226-7608
49 Total Sales
3 in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
$725K - $2.3M Price Range
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, Royal Oaks sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, Royal Oaks over the last 12 months is $1,369,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Modest rural-esque neighborhood with access to nearby Watsonville
Rural mountainous bay community with lots of wineries and hillside homes
Largely residential oceanside community with proximity to restaurants and schools
Beachside bluffs and hillside homes in scenic Aptos, California
Hidden gem ocean-view community with quaint local businesses and beach proximity
Eclectic homes, seaside bluffs and ocean vistas in Aptos, California
