Santa Cruz

Live Oak is a small community that stretches from the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains to within a few blocks of the Pacific Ocean. It’s nestled just north of Capitola and Pleasure Point, so residents enjoy easy access to misty cliffside vistas, picturesque beaches and local attractions. “It’s very close to wonderful, well-maintained beaches and world-class surfing spots,” says Realtor Nicole Myhrstad, owner of Vista Properties and a longtime area resident. The streets of Live Oaks are a hodgepodge of early and mid-20th century homes, mobile home parks, condos and the occasional newly built home. Landscaped front yards, privacy fences, tall pine and palm trees and narrow sidewalks are a common sight here. Prices are generally more affordable than in neighboring Pleasure Point and Capitola because the community doesn't directly border the beach. “Live Oak is not as cheap as it used to be, but it’s still very beautiful and relatively affordable. There are a lot of nice homes here,” says Realtor Jayson Madani of Room Real Estate, who lives just up the road in Scotts Valley. Prices for single-family homes typically range from around $1 million to $1.7 million, with the median resting at just under $1.2 million. Condo prices range from around $500,000 to $1 million. Several community parks are tucked away along Live Oak's residential streets, including Chanticleer Avenue County Park, Felt Street County Park and Brommer Street County Park. All three offer picnic areas, playgrounds and benches where locals and their families can get out and enjoy the sunshine. South of the neighborhood is Simpkins Family Swim Center, an outdoor aquatic center with a splash zone, lap swimming and a picnic area. Live Oak Branch Library offers a cool place to read a book, use a public computer or enroll in programs and classes. The nearest beaches — Twin Lakes State Beach, Seabright State Beach and Santa Cruz Beach — are a little over a mile away. Breezy, cliffside vistas overlooking the bay are within reach at nearby Pleasure Point. Live Oaks has a few restaurants and cafes, including Silver Spur, a saloon-style diner that's been around for decades. There's also El Jardin, a local favorite for authentic Mexican cuisine and frozen margaritas. The Live Oak Farmer’s Market brings a crowd every Sunday morning for local produce, street vendors and artisan wares. For everything else, Downtown Santa Cruz and Capitola are just a few miles away. Gayles Bakery & Rosticceria, about a mile east in Capitola, is a beloved restaurant that’s been serving up breakfast, lunch and baked goods for decades. Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Safeway are close by for grocery shopping and everyday necessities. Young students can attend Live Oak Elementary School, which earns a B-plus rating from Niche. Sixth through eighth grade learners move on to B-plus-rated Shoreline Middle School, and upperclassmen attend A-minus-rated Soquel High School. More than 95% of Soquel High graduates go on to attend college. The neighborhood is traversed by State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects to coastal destinations like Aptos. Live Oak is 2 miles from State Route 17 which crosses the Santa Cruz Mountains and connects with Silicon Valley and San Jose. For those who prefer public transit, there are Santa Cruz Metro bus stops along the neighborhood’s major throughways. Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital, a major regional medical center with a cancer center, birth center and a neonatal intensive care unit, is in Live Oak. The hospital has received high marks from Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit watchdog for hospital safety.

Pasatiempo is a gated, golf course community in the wooded hills overlooking Monterey Bay. Its homes are nestled in a serene, natural setting with sweeping views of redwood-covered mountains and the misty oceanfront. “It’s woven all around this beautiful, ocean view golf course. It’s got nice topography. It’s surrounded by forests. There are creeks running across it. And you get a nice, coastal breeze coming through,” says Realtor Tom Brezsny of Christies International Real Estate. The neighborhood is just north of the city of Santa Cruz and south of Scotts Valley, so residents are close to popular beaches, seaside attractions and sprawling state parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Realtor Sally Lyng, co-owner of David Lyng Real Estate, says part of the neighborhood’s lasting appeal is its location. “It’s in a fabulous microclimate. The weather is perfect. It’s sunnier than if you’re closer to the coast, but it’s a few degrees cooler than Scotts Valley,” Lyng says. The streets of Pasatiempo are lined with elegant, early and mid-20th century homes, including regal Colonial Revival homes, midcentury modern designs and spacious ranch homes. “There’s a wide variety of unique, timeless architecture here. A lot of these were built in the 1930s and 40s, and people have remodeled them while keeping the original architectural details intact. You’ve also got large lots, which is not typical of Santa Cruz, and mature landscaping,” Lyng says. Many homes feature stunning views of the ocean and forests from their windows and porches. Lots sizes vary from around a quarter-acre to more than 2 acres, so residents have plenty of privacy and room for landscaping and gardening. Home prices are typically steep in Pasatiempo, ranging between around $1.5 million and $3.5 million depending on home and lot size. The Pasatiempo Golf Club was designed by architect Alister MacKenzie in the 1920s, who went on to design the Augusta National course where the PGA Masters tournament is held. “It’s a well-known course. I remember seeing Tiger Woods teeing up on the 17th hole there when he still at Stanford,” Brezsny says. The golf club has a restaurant, tap room and event hall. A few miles west is De Laveaga Park, a sprawling, 550-acre park with hiking trails that zigzag through forested hills, baseball fields, an archery range and an 18-hole golf course and driving range. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is just north of Pasatiempo. This beautiful state park is brimming with towering redwood groves, steep hiking trails, trickling streams and swimming holes. The closest beaches are about 3 miles south at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Seabright Beach and Pleasure Point. Bottle Jack Winery is within the neighborhood where sunset tastings are held outdoors overlooking the beautiful Santa Cruz landscape. For dinner, there’s Hollins House Dining & The Tap Room at the Pasatiempo Golf Club, an upscale restaurant in an historic home built in the 1920s. The MacKenzie Bar & Grill, also at the golf club, is a popular for breakfast, lunch and happy hour. For everything else, Downtown Santa Cruz is less than 2 miles away. This walkable district has a wide variety of restaurants, shops, entertainment and nightlife options. Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Safeway are within 3 miles of the neighborhood. Young students can attend Brook Knoll Elementary School, which earns a B-plus rating from Niche. Sixth through eighth grade learners can attend A-minus-rated Scotts Valley Middle School, and upperclassmen can attend A-minus-rated Scotts Valley High School. The high school offers a wide range of career and technical programs in addition to advanced placement courses. The neighborhood is convenient for those commuting to San Jose and Silicon Valley. It’s bordered by the intersection of State Route 1 and State Route 17, both of which are major travel corridors for the region. Because of the neighborhood’s off-the-beaten-path locale, residents will likely need a car to get around. Dominican Hospital, one of the largest in Santa Cruz County, is just 2 miles west. Pasatiempo is at an increased risk of wildfires. Throughout California, wildfires have become more frequent and dangerous because of global warming. A massive wildfire burned much of nearby Big Basin State Park in 2020 and destroyed over 900 homes in the region.

Beachfront walks, yachts gliding across the Pacific surf and a cool coastal breeze are what residents come home to in Twin Lakes. This coastal neighborhood has all the hallmarks of a Santa Cruz vacation destination, but it’s less touristy than nearby Capitola and Pleasure Point. “It’s walkable, it’s bikeable and it’s mostly residential. It’s a quiet place. If you want some action, you’re probably going over to the Point,” says Nicole Myhrstad, owner of Vista Properties and a longtime Santa Cruz resident. East Cliff Drive runs parallel to Twin Lakes State Beach and is a great spot to take in sun-drenched afternoons and misty evenings. “It’s a big feature of the neighborhood. It runs from the yacht harbor alongside the beaches. It’s great for a drive or a long bike ride,” Myhrstad says. Twin Lakes State Beach is a mile-long, and has remained a popular spot for swimming, surfing and tanning. It’s right next to Schwan’s Lake, a popular birdwatching destination where a pair of binoculars will put warblers, sparrows, cormorants and hawks into view. At the north edge of the neighborhood, there’s Simpkins Family Swim Center, an outdoor aquatic center with a splash zone, lap swimming and a picnic area. Those looking for a place to set sail can look no further than the Santa Cruz Harbor. The Crow’s Nest is one a long-running favorite in Santa Cruz. This cozy grille sits right on the waterfront where the harbor opens into the Monterey Bay. The same seaside shopping center is also home to Java Junction coffee shop and Café El Palomar, an authentic Mexican eatery with a beachfront bar and patio. Elsewhere, residents can dine at Lago di Como, a popular local Italian bistro, or Aloha Island Grille, which specializes in Hawaiian barbecue. For groceries and everyday essentials, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Safeway are all within a 3-mile drive. Homes in Twin Lakes cross a broad spectrum, but the bulk of the houses were built in the mid-1900s. Cottages, Craftsman homes, bungalows and two-story beach homes can all be found here. An increasing number of newly built homes are also popping up across the community. “There used to be a lot of small, beach cottages on large lots. That’s changing though. One-by-one they’re being torn down and replaced with larger, two-story homes,” Myhrstad says. The most valuable real estate in Twin Lakes is closer to the oceanfront, where homes often sell for between $3 million and $5 million. Further from the sea, homes sell for between $1 million and $3 million. There are also two, large mobile home parks in the neighborhood that offer more affordable housing options. Young students can attend Del Mar Elementary School, which earns a B rating from Niche. Sixth through eighth grade learners move on to B-plus-rated Shoreline Middle School, and upperclassmen attend A-minus-rated Soquel High School. More than 95% of Soquel High graduates go on to attend college. The neighborhood is about 2 miles from State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects to coastal destinations like Half Moon Bay and Capitola. It’s also only 2 miles from State Route 17 which twists and turns through the Santa Cruz Mountains on the way to Silicon Valley. For those who prefer public transit, there are Santa Cruz Metro bus stops along the neighborhood’s major throughways. Twin Lakes residents are at an increased risk of flooding and severe storms because of its oceanfront location. Several major storms have battered Santa Cruz beaches in recent years, including storms in 2023 and 2024 that required major cleanup and restoration efforts along parts of the shoreline.

A weekend morning in Upper Seabright might look like sipping espresso on a cafe patio before heading to the beach to watch sailboats racing in a yacht club regatta. This sun-drenched Santa Cruz neighborhood is prized for its easy access to oceanfront scenery. “It’s very sunny, and it has great walkability. Some parts of the neighborhood feel like they were designed for walking,” says Realtor Troy Hinds of David Lyng Real Estate, a longtime Santa Cruz resident who used to live in Seabright. Many of Seabright's residents are part-timers: people with second homes who vacation in Santa Cruz during the summer months. But there are still plenty of year-round residents who've lived in the neighborhood for decades. “There are a lot of legacy homes in Seabright that have been passed down from one generation of a family to the next,” says Celeste Faraola, owner of Schooner Realty and a lifelong Seabright resident. Seabright State Beach is a half-mile away from Upper Seabright. It’s a popular summer destination for swimming, surfing and radiant Pacific sunsets. Santa Cruz Harbor borders the western edge of the neighborhood, offering a place for locals to park their sea vessels. The harbor is home to the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, a long-running private club that hosts regattas throughout the spring and summer months. Several community parks are also available in the neighborhood, including Ocean View Park and Frederick Street Park, both of which offer playgrounds, grassy fields and athletic courts. The Santa Cruz Riverwalk skirts the banks of the San Lorenzo River at the neighborhood’s eastern edge, making for an easy walk around the city. At the intersection of Murray Street and Seabright Avenue are restaurants, bars and cafes, many of which are short walks away from homes. For a classic omelet brunch, there's Linda’s Seabreeze Café. Espresso drinks, pastries and an outdoor patio are on the menu at Verve Coffee Roasters. Downtown Santa Cruz is about a mile west of Upper Seabright and offers an array of eateries, breweries, boutiques and a movie theater. Locals get their grocery shopping done at Whole Foods Market or Staff of Life, a long-standing health food store. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, an historic tourist destination, is about 1.5 miles southwest of Seabright. The boardwalk’s amusement park brings throngs of people to the city every summer. Upper Seabright offers a mix of homes that were built in the early and mid-20th century. Beach bungalows, cottages and Victorian designs can all be found here. Some newly built homes are also popping up, taking the place of older, worn-down residences. Home sizes range from as little as 800 square feet to more than 3,000 square feet. And while lots tend to be small, residents make up for it with fulsome landscaping and small gardens. The neighborhood’s central locale makes for high-end housing prices — it’s common for homes to sell for between $1 million and $2 million, while larger, luxury homes can sell for as much as $5 million. Young students attend nearby Gault Elementary School, which earns a C-plus rating from Niche. Sixth through eighth grade learners move on to A-minus-rated Branciforte Middle School, and upperclassmen attend A-rated Harbor High School. Harbor High offers a wide range of career, technical and trade programs, including courses for students who want to specialize in agriculture, car repair, computer science, woodworking, welding and web design. Upper Seabright is about a mile from State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects the city to coastal destinations like Half Moon Bay and Capitola. It’s also only one mile from State Route 17 which twists and turns through the Santa Cruz Mountains on the way to San Jose and Silicon Valley. For those who prefer public transit to get around, there are several Santa Cruz Metro bus lines available. Seabright is in an area of Santa Cruz known as the “banana belt” because it gets more sun than the rest of the city. Residents can expect less fog and more sunshine in this area. Some parts of Upper Seabright are prone to flooding because of its proximity to the oceanfront and the San Lorenzo River.

Westlake is a residential district in West Side Santa Cruz, just 2 miles from Santa Cruz beaches and less than a mile from the city's downtown district. Located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it has a secluded feel while still being close to some of the city's major attractions. “It’s on hill, raised up from the town. And it’s a great walking neighborhood,” says Realtor Geneva Lawless of David Lyng Real Estate, who grew up in Westlake. “One thing most people don’t know is that, if you want to get to Downtown Santa Cruz, there are all these funny little staircases and narrow alleys that cut down the hillside.” Westlake offers a mix of classic ranch homes and custom-built designs. Most were constructed between the 1950s and the 1980s, although there are some that date back to the early 20th century. “The housing styles are a lot more consistent than in the rest of Santa Cruz, where you’ll have older, eclectic homes right next door to a contemporary home,” Lawless says. Lot sizes range from around a quarter-acre to a half-acre, and some are situated on hills with views of the cityscape to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Some also have swimming pools in the backyard where residents can cool off on a sizzling summer day. The streets are brimming with vegetation, chaparral and tall palms, pines and oaks. Homes in the neighborhood typically sell for between $1.5 million and $3 million. The median list price in 2024 is $1.8 million. Young learners can attend Westlake Elementary School, which earns a A-minus rating from Niche. Westlake Elementary is in the center of the neighborhood, and it's only a short walk, bike or drive from many homes. The school places a strong emphasis on visual and performing arts programs. Students can move on to Mission Hill Middle School and Santa Cruz High School, both of which earn A ratings. The University of California, Santa Cruz is just north of the neighborhood. It enrolls around 20,000 students every year. Westlake is less than a mile from State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects Santa Cruz to coastal towns like Aptos and Capitola. From State Route 1, it’s about 2 miles to the on-ramp for State Route 17, another commuter road that crosses the Santa Cruz Mountains. Santa Cruz Metro bus lines available in the neighborhood for those who need public transit. There are also sidewalks and bike lanes for those who want travel on foot or by bike. Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital, a major regional medical center, is about 3 miles east. Westlake Park is where the community gathers to get some sunshine. The park is situated around a lake that’s bordered by tall trees and park lawns. Fishing at the lake is restricted so that only kids under 16 years old and seniors over 65 can cast their lines. Harvey West Park, at the northeastern edge of the neighborhood, has a public pool, a bike track, bocce ball courts and grassy picnic areas. At 50 acres, it’s one of the largest public parks in the city. Pogonip Open Space is just north and features a labyrinth of trails that wind across wooded hillsides and meadows. Wildlife thrives here, and locals might catch a glimpse of a black-tailed jack rabbit, an acorn woodpecker or a Pacific giant salamander. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf are about 2 miles south of Westlake. While there aren’t any shops or restaurants within the neighborhood, there are plenty of options nearby. Downtown Santa Cruz is less 2 miles east of the neighborhood. It’s a walkable district with a wide variety of eateries, boutiques, movie theaters and an art museum. The Walnut Avenue Café is a local favorite for breakfast and brunch. Mission Street is south of Westlake and has lots of restaurants and several grocery stores, including Safeway and New Leaf Community Markets. High Street Community Church is within the neighborhood. Westlake is at an increased risk of wildfires. Throughout California, wildfires have become more frequent and dangerous. A wildfire burned much of nearby Big Basin State Park in 2020 and destroyed over 900 homes in the area north of the City of Santa Cruz.

While it may be a next-door neighbor to downtown Santa Cruz, California Street – Mission Hill maintains its own star qualities. "It's a great area close to the beach and close to the downtown lifestyle," says Jayson Madani, a Room Real Estate Realtor who sells in the area. The neighborhood is rich with culture, as demonstrated by its restaurants, festivals, events and colorful homes. To know this neighborhood is to know what Santa Cruz is all about. Coldwell Banker Realtor Amy Jeske, who also has home-selling experience here, speaks to the neighborhood's vibrancy. "This side of Santa Cruz, the west side, is a completely different beast compared to Aptos, Soquel or Capitola where it's more quiet. The university and the student population make it busy. The character is up and coming, and it’s just a really popular area." When dining out, residents can taste international flavors from the table. Avanti, with its wood-and-stone interior and cozy outdoor patio, serves contemporary Italian cuisine. Copal offers a taste of Oaxaca in every dish, and the lemon-and-lime walls of Café Brasil foster inviting Brazilian dining experiences. Residents can also look for everyday grocery items at Safeway. They can also grab sandwiches or pub fare and cover more shopping needs when they visit the shops and restaurants at Almar Shopping Center. Epicenter Cycling offers a wide selection of bikes and a staff of mechanics ready to help. Every September, the costumes, competitions and cuisine of the Mole and Mariachi Festival draw tons of visitors. Formerly held in Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, the festival’s wild popularity has forced a venue change to hold the growing crowds. The city's creative side can be explored at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History or at shops and galleries during First Fridays, the city's monthly art tour of exhibitions from local artists. Highway 1 (locally known as Cabrillo Highway) offers access throughout the neighborhood. According to Madani, "Highway 1 takes you to places like Carmel and Half Moon Bay. It's a good commuter road if you’re working in Santa Cruz and it’s scenic, so it's great for vacations, too.” Residents can also hop on the Santa Cruz METRO bus. Air travelers can use the San Jose Mineta International Airport, which is a 33-mile drive northbound. Bungalows and cottage-style homes are common, with constructions dating between the early 1900s and the late 1940s. Exteriors can vary from earthy, neutral tones to brighter colors and properties are often equipped with a sizable amount of front lawn space. Homes tend to cost between $1 million- $1.8 million and will typically remain on the market for about 35 days. Jeske says, "It’s really hard to get housing because the market is so hot. Almost every home ends up with multiple offers.” Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is the twelfth in a string of missions established in California. Its Mission Adobe remains standing today, open for the public to learn about the area’s indigenous origins and Franciscan heritage. The park also has a large avocado tree which, according to the Santa Cruz County website, may be the second oldest in all of California. Wildlife can be spotted along the trails and floating walkways of Neary Lagoon Park. A little further out is the Santa Cruz Riverwalk Park, where pedestrians can walk and bike along the San Lorenzo River. More popular spots are the Arboretum & Botanic Gardens at the University of California – Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Bay View Elementary School has a B-minus from Niche while Mission Hill Middle School keeps an A-rating. Harbor High School, which also has an A-rating, has been counted in the top five public schools in Santa Cruz County. In addition to its main course catalog, the high school offers Career Technical Education courses in subjects such as millwork and cabinetry and bicycle performance and technology. College students can attend the University of California – Santa Cruz, which is less than two miles away.