$1,265,267Average Value$307Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
Santa Cruz sunshine
Sunny days are here to stay in Santa Cruz’ Banana Belt. This neighborhood gets more sun and less fog than surrounding areas because it sits about equal distance between the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills and Monterey Bay beaches. Residents often come home to bright-lit blue skies, a salty sea breeze and warm, Mediterranean temperatures. “It’s right above the fog line, so you’ve got great weather,” says Realtor Jayson Madani of Room Real Estate, who lives in neighboring Scotts Valley and works all over Santa Cruz County. “It’s a beautiful, desirable place to live in Santa Cruz.”
It's common to see homes lined with palm trees in Banana Belt.
Banana Belt is blessed with many stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
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Midcentury homes on tree-lined streets
The Banana Belt’s sun-drenched streets are lined with sidewalks and yards brimming with lush, floral landscaping. Early and mid-20th century home designs are common here, including many bungalows, cottages, ranch homes and Craftsman homes. Eclectic architectural elements are on display, such as the exposed beams of a 1920s Craftsman build or the dormer windows of a renovated bungalow. Mediterranean Revival homes also make an appearance with eye-catching, red-tiled rooftops and stucco exteriors. Prices typically range from around $900,000 to $2 million. The median list price is $1.2 million.
Banana Belt has scenic streets that are decorated with palm trees.
Cottage style homes are ubiquitous in Banana Belt.
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Community parks, beaches and wooded trails
Grant Park and John Franks Park are great places to get some sunshine in the neighborhood. Both parks are nestled along residential streets and feature picnic areas, playgrounds and athletic courts. An outdoor oasis sits just north at De Laveaga Park, a sprawling park with hiking trails that zigzag through forested hills, baseball fields, an archery range and an 18-hole golf course and driving range. The closest beaches are less than 2 miles south, at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Seabright Beach. In the opposite direction is the magnificent Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, a massive state park with towering redwood groves and hiking trails that border picturesque streams and swimming holes.
Grant Park in Banana Belt has a fun dog park filled with happy dogs.
Banana Belt is just a short drive from many surf spots in Santa Cruz.
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Highly rated Santa Cruz public schools
Young students can attend De Laveaga Elementary School, which earns a B-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. Both Branciforte Middle and Harbor High are located within the neighborhood, a short walk or drive from many homes. 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. The University of California, Santa Cruz is 2 miles west of the neighborhood. It enrolls around 20,000 students every year.
Branciforte Middle School offers a dynamic curriculum promoting critical thinking and creativity
At Harbor High School, students thrive with innovative teaching and supportive staff.
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Soquel Avenue and Water Street
The Banana Belt is bordered by Water Street and Soquel Avenue, both of which offer shopping and dining options. Tacos Moreno is a popular spot for authentic Mexican, while Santa Adairius is a local tasting room with ales and brews from across the country. Proximity to grocery stores is a major perk: Safeway, Whole Foods and Grocery Outlet are all within a short walk or drive. Staff of Life, a natural grocer and local institution on Soquel Avenue, has been in business for more than 50 years. For everything else, it’s just a short distance to Downtown Santa Cruz where the streets are alive with people going to restaurants, bars, boutiques and outdoor markets. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, California’s oldest amusement park, is 2 miles south.
Santa Adairius is the perfect place to grab a beer in Banana Belt.
Tacos Moreno tasty carne asada tacos in Banana Belt.
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Getting around Santa Cruz and beyond
State Route 1 runs along Banana Belt’s northern edge. It’s a major commuter corridor that connects to coastal towns like Aptos and Capitola. It’s less than a mile from State Route 17, another commuter road that traverses the Santa Cruz Mountains all the way to Silicon Valley and San Jose. Santa Cruz Metro bus lines are available for those who prefer public transit.
Banana Belt is conveniently located near Highway 17 and 1.
Banana Belt is a suburban neighborhood in Santa Cruz with many parks and beaches nearby.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Shawndy Linquist,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Grant Park
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
44 min drive
Bus
Grant (Grant Park)
Bus
Plymouth & Ocean
Bus
Emeline Ave & Fernside
Bus
Emeline Ave & Grant
Bus
Emeline Ave & Belmont
Bus
Emeline Ave & Button
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Banana Belt
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Banana Belt Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Banana Belt, Santa Cruz sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Banana Belt, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $665,000, up 60% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully updated and move in ready, this flexible Santa Cruz property offers space, income potential, and modern comfort on a nearly 10,000 sqft. flat lot. The main home features 3 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms all on the ground floor plus a large upstairs bonus room perfect for a home office, guest suite, or kids playroom. Enjoy new hardwood floors, fresh paint, and modern appliances
Tucked just around the corner from the bustling activity of Upper Ocean Street, this charming Craftsman welcomes you home with a refreshing burst of color to 1028 square feet of comfortable living space bedecked in bright tones and artful appointments. Enjoy the good life amidst over $60K of recent improvements and upgrades, with hardwood floors in all the main living areas providing a warm and
Location! Location! Location! Single-level home with loads of potential. Main house is approximately 1,195 sf with attached converted carport to studio space of approximately 577 sf. Situated on large, level 12,720 sf lot with frontage on Arbor Avenue and in the rear by a 12' alley access with an additional structure at the rear property. Feasibility Analysis regarding the development potential
Welcome home to Hidden Creek in sunny Santa Cruz, California. You will find our beautiful community centrally located just minutes away from the major freeways and walking distance to shopping centers and restaurants. We are an easy commute to Silicon Valley and major schools such as UCSC and Cabrillo College. Whether it is going downtown, relaxing at one of the sunny beaches in Santa Cruz or
Step into this custom-built 2021 home, where beauty meets modern efficiency. Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac between the Seabright and North Branciforte neighborhoods, this sunny two-bedroom, two-bath retreat offers a unique blend of Mediterranean style, eco-friendly features, and exceptional functionality.PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:Sophisticated Design: This home’s open-concept kitchen,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Shawndy Linquist,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,330
Median Age
41
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$114,600
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$153,503
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.5%
College Graduates
53.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
100/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
78/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
41/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
