$1,619,471Average Value$385Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
A hilly community overlooking Santa Cruz
Carbonera is a small, residential community perched in the hilly outskirts of Santa Cruz. Residents enjoy mountainous topography and views of deep-green forests while also being just 3 miles from the region’s sun-drenched beaches and seaside attractions.
Realtor Tom Brezsny of Christie’s International Real Estate Sereno says the neighborhood has entered a “transitional phase” in recent years. “It was originally built in the 1960s, and recently we’ve seen older residents downsizing and moving out. At the same time, it’s become popular with young couples who are coming for the world-class weather, the beaches and the outdoors,” Brezsny says.
One of the neighborhood’s perks is that it’s sunnier and warmer than those situated closer to the coast. “It’s above the fog line, so you’re getting a lot more sun and warm weather than if you live closer to the oceanfront, especially in the morning,” Brezsny says.
Carbonera is a small, residential community perched in the hilly outskirts of Santa Cruz.
Houses with manicured front yards and pine trees in the forest area of Carbonera.
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Midcentury home styles
Carbonera’s streets are a patchwork of mid-20th century home styles. Ranch homes sporting midcentury modern panache, Craftsman bungalows with wood-shingled siding and eccentric, custom-built homes can all be found here. Some have been fully renovated with modern amenities, while others have been torn down entirely to make way for a new home. The community’s sloped, curving roads are lined with sidewalks and manicured front yards, and the horizon is dotted with tall oaks, pines, redwoods and palm trees. There’s very little through-traffic in the neighborhood, so streets are typically safe for walking around. Prices range from as around $1 million to $2.3 million depending on the homes size, age and renovations.
Carbonera’s streets are a patchwork of mid-20th century home styles.
A newly built bungalow home with with modern amenities in Carbonera.
Custom-built homes like this one can all be found in Carbonera.
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Hiking in the redwood-capped hills of Santa Cruz County
De Laveaga Park borders the western edge of Carbonera. It’s 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. It’s also home to Santa Cruz Shakespeare, an outdoor theater company that puts on seasonal productions by world’s most famous playwright. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is about 4 miles north. This magnificent state park is brimming with towering redwood groves, deep hiking trails and picturesque streams and swimming holes. The closest beaches are about 3 miles south at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Seabright Beach and Pleasure Point.
De Laveaga Park borders the western edge of Carbonera, where locals often can go hiking.
De Laveaga Park has hiking trails that zigzag through forested hills.
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Highly rated public schools
Young students can attend De Laveaga Elementary School, which earns a B-plus rating from Niche. Sixth through eighth grade learners can attend A-minus-rated Branciforte Middle School, and upperclassmen can attend A-rated Harbor High School. The high school offers a wide range of career and technical programs in addition to advanced placement courses.
De Laveaga Elementary School offers a supportive and inclusive environment for all by Carbonera.
Branciforte Middle School offers a great curriculum promoting critical thinking and creativity.
Harbor High School fosters academic excellence in a vibrant and diverse community by Carbonera.
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Downtown Santa Cruz
There’s no shopping or dining within Carbonera, but residents are about 2 miles away from Downtown Santa Cruz. The city’s downtown district is eminently walkable, with wide sidewalks that were designed with pedestrians in mind. It’s a great place to grab a seat on a patio and watch people cruise up and down Pacific Avenue on a weekend afternoon. Popular restaurants include The Walnut Avenue Café, Pizza My Heart and Pacific Cookie Company. For groceries, there’s a Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Safeway, all of which are within 3 miles of the neighborhood.
Santa Cruz's downtown district is eminently walkable, with wide sidewalks near Carbonera.
From Carbonera head down 10 minutes south to enjoy surfing at Cowell Beach.
A beautiful view of the ocean and sandy area with many volleyball players nearby Carbonera.
Surf lovers can choose among many boards in downtown Santa Cruz shops near Carbonera.
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Perfect for commuters
The neighborhood is a dream for commuters heading over the hill. It’s bordered by the intersection of State Route 1 and State Route 17, both of which are major travel corridors for the region. State Route 17 is heavily trafficked and crosses the Santa Cruz Mountains to connect with San Jose and Silicon Valley. Because of the neighborhood’s off-the-beaten-path locale, residents need vehicles to get around.
Carbonera is bordered by the intersection of State Route 1 and State Route 17.
Though locals need a car to get around local bus lines take you all over the city in Carbonera.
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Increased wildfire and flood risk
Carbonera is at an increased risk of wildfires. Throughout California, wildfires have become more frequent and dangerous. A massive wildfire burned much of nearby Big Basin State Park in 2020 and destroyed over 900 homes north of the City of Santa Cruz. Some parts of the neighborhood are also at risk of flooding because two creeks, Carbonera Creek and Branciforte Creek, cut across the community.
Residents enjoy mountainous topography and views of deep-green forests in Carbonera.
Locals play on the baseball fields of De Laveaga Park in Carbonera.
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
Geneva Lawless,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
43 min drive
Bus
Emeline Ave & Sutphen
Bus
Emeline Ave (Emeline Complex - Building K)
Carbonera Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Carbonera, Santa Cruz sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Carbonera, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $339,900, down 30% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Ocean and forest views from this elegant mediterranean home. This estate blends charm and timeless design in this expansive 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home located in the desirable Carbonera Estates neighborhood of Santa Cruz. Set on a generous 9,975 sq ft lot, this custom-built property offers approx. 4,000 sq ft of well-planned living space with flexible potential for multi-generational living,
Welcome to 106 S Rapetta, a spacious 2014-built executive home with a flawless floorplan in a fantastic commuter-friendly location. Large enough for friends and family to spread out without feeling lost in the abyss, but cozy enough for fireside chats and intimate dinners, this is the rare 4BR home with ample square footage at an affordable price youve been looking for. Enter through the
Ideally located on a professionally landscaped parcel, this serene Santa Cruz home offers the perfect balance of peaceful living and convenience. Enjoy close proximity to top-rated schools, shopping, recreation, and commuter routes. The flowing floor plan offers flexibility for casual living or elegant entertaining, with seamless indoor-outdoor transitions that highlight the home's natural
This gorgeous home is tucked away in a little neighborhood in a great area with tree lined sidewalks, cul-de-sac location. The home itself lives large with 4 bedrooms 2.5 baths, grand spaces with formal dining area and formal living room, with an eat in-kitchen and roomy family room. The home has a reverse floor plan, great for working from home and quiet time. All rooms are freshly painted,
This beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers 2,900 square feet of living space on a generous 7000 square-foot lot. Located in a small cull-du-sac of the coveted Carbonera neighborhood, this home features hardwood floors, a modern kitchen, newly carpeted bedrooms, and a large, dedicated officeideal for remote work or a 4th bedroom. Thoughtfully constructed just 22 years ago, the
Tucked away in a peaceful, highly desirable neighborhood, this stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and convenience! Just minutes from the freeway, sought after schools, shopping, and dining, you'll have easy access to everything you need, while still savoring the quiet retreat of your own private sanctuary. Step inside to an inviting open-concept layout
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Geneva Lawless,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,273
Median Age
46
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$185,472
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$197,797
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.6%
College Graduates
55.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.4%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
8/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
32/ 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.
