$1,177,042Average Value$91Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Hillside community overlooking the Santa Cruz boardwalk
Rumbling carnival rides, sandy beaches and ocean views are just a short walk away for residents of Beach Hill and Beach Flats. This sunny Santa Cruz neighborhood overlooks the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a vacation destination and the oldest amusement park in California. Seaside boardwalk attractions like the century-old Giant Dipper rollercoaster are a major draw for tourists, but the surrounding neighborhood has garnered a rough reputation. “It’s high density, there’s a large rental market and it’s historically had an issue with crime, but it’s slowly heading in the right direction,” says Realtor David Anderson of Anderson Christie, Inc., a longtime resident of Santa Cruz. City officials and community organizations have made efforts in recent years to tamp down street crime in the area.
Beaches, riverwalks and community gardens
While there are a few tiny parks within the neighborhood, Santa Cruz Beach is the perennial playground for residents of this community. The waterfront tapestry of colorful umbrellas, beach volleyball courts and towering palm trees sits less than half a mile from the neighborhood. In the summertime, thousands of visitors from Silicon Valley and the Bay Area flock to the beach. “When it gets really hot in San Jose, the beach gets really crowded. The Santa Cruz Mountains, which are between Santa Cruz and San Jose, are the difference between a 100-degree -day and a 65-degree -day,” says Realtor Dorene Dawson of Bailey Properties, a longtime Santa Cruz resident.
Beach Flats Park, which sits in the heart of the neighborhood, has a playground and benches shaded by tree canopies. Gardeners curate their plots at Beach Flats Community Garden a few blocks away. The Santa Cruz Riverwalk, a paved pathway that winds along the edge of the San Lorenzo River, borders the neighborhood, offering a convenient way for people to get around the city on foot or by bike.
Beach volleyball is a favorite pastime for Beach Hill-Beach Flats residents.
Beach Flats Park is a lovely neighborhood park in Beach Hill-Beach Flats.
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Walk to the boardwalk and Downtown Santa Cruz
The neighborhood’s central locale means residents have plenty of options nearby for entertainment, nightlife and culture. The oldest amusement park in California, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, is a few blocks away. Established in 1907, the park brings throngs of visitors to its rollercoasters, rides and games during the summertime. The Santa Cruz Wharf is a 2,700-foot wooden pier known for its restaurants, shops and scenic Pacific views. Downtown Santa Cruz is north of the neighborhood and features upscale and casual dining, shops, farmer’s markets and boutiques. Safeway, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are nearby for groceries.
The famous local amusement park draws crowds to the Beach Hill-Beach Flats area.
The Santa Cruz Wharf is a short walk from Beach Hill-Beach Flats.
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Beach bungalows, apartments and condos
Beach Hill-Beach Flats offers an eclectic mix of homes, condos and apartments, built mostly in the early and mid-20th century. Bungalows, Craftsman homes, Victorian designs and Mediterranean Revival- style buildings can all be found here. Prices typically range from around $1 million to $2 million depending on the size, age and condition of the home. There are also several hotels in the neighborhood, so residents may see tourists and vacationers meandering throughout the area during the summer season.
Small bungalows sit along the streets of Beach Hill-Beach Flats.
Some parts of Beach Hill-Beach Flats hold Victorian mansions.
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Highly rated Santa Cruz schools
Young learners can attend Bay View Elementary School, which earns a B-minus rating from Niche. The school strongly emphasizes visual arts, music and environmental education. Students move on to Mission Hill Middle School and Santa Cruz High School, earning A ratings.
Bay View Elementary serves the younger students of Beach Hill-Beach Flats.
Engage in diverse programs at Mission Hill Middle School near Beach Hill-Beach Flats.
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Getting around the city and beyond
Beach Hill and Beach Flats are about a mile from State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects to coastal hotspots like Half Moon Bay and Capitola. It’s about 2 miles to State Route 17, which twists and turns through the Santa Cruz Mountains on the way to Silicon Valley. Several Santa Cruz Metro bus lines are available for those who prefer public transit.
Increased flood risk, boardwalk noise
Because of their seaside locale, Beach Hill and Beach Flats are at an increased risk of flooding and severe storms. Several major storms have recently damaged Santa Cruz beaches and nearby infrastructure, including a major storm in December 2023 that caused millions in damages to oceanfront shops and restaurants in neighboring Capitola, and destroyed an historic pier at Seacliff State Beach. Beach Hill-Beach Flats is also noisy because of its proximity to the rollercoasters and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk crowds.
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
Nick Bailey,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Beach Flats Park
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
47 min drive
Bus
2nd & Main
Beach Hill-Beach Flats Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Beach Hill-Beach Flats, Santa Cruz sell after 1 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Beach Hill-Beach Flats, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $172,000.
Welcome to your dream beach retreat! This stunning end villa is tucked away on a beautifully manicured gated street at the edge of Beach Hill just a quick stroll to sandy shores, the wharf, Boardwalk and West Cliff trail. Light, bright, and full of good vibes, this place has been gently enjoyed as a second home. The airy layout features soaring ceilings, tons of windows, and natural light. This
This is a completely renovated 5-unit apartment building. The property has a gated yard, lawn space, and on-site laundry! Lots of natural light located in the heart of downtown right off Pacific Ave.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nick Bailey,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,208
Median Age
33
Population Density
37 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$47,357
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,009
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.1%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.1%
Advanced Degrees
16.4%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.2%
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®
99/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
88/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
48/ 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.
