Lower Seabright
Sailing, swimming and regattas on Monterey Bay
Seabright State Beach is a neighborhood beach where locals can be seen laying out in the sun, splashing in the chilly Pacific surf or watching white sails drift out to sea from the harbor. “It’s less touristy than the boardwalk beach, but it can get pretty crowded in the summer,” Faraola says. Sailboat races take place along the beach every Wednesday evening in the summertime. The Walton Lighthouse is also accessible from a walking path that extends out onto a boulder-strewn jetty. The 41-foot tower was built in 1964 and still serves as a beacon for those sailing during misty evenings. Also on the beachfront is the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, where locals and visitors take in revolving exhibits and a permanent collection of area artifacts.The Santa Cruz Small Craft Marina and Santa Cruz Yacht Club border the eastern edge of Lower Seabright, offering residents a scenic place to dock their boats. The yacht club was founded in the 1920s and still hosts regattas throughout the spring, summer and fall. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is right next door to Lower Seabright; it's brightly lit rides, games and attractions are accessible via the pedestrian bridge at the western edge of the neighborhood.
Walk to eateries, cafes and local dives
Residents are walking or biking distance from several restaurants, bars and cafes on Seabright Avenue. Linda’s Seabreeze Café is a local favorite for made-to-order omelets and classic burgers; Verve Coffee Roasters is the spot for espresso drinks and pastries; and Brady’s Yacht Club is a long-running dive with a nondescript entrance, late-night hours and a pool table. Downtown Santa Cruz is about 1.5 miles away from Lower Seabright and offers plenty of upscale and casual eateries, breweries and boutiques. For groceries and everyday essentials, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market are less than 2 miles away.Small homes on small lots
The streets of Lower Seabright are lined with an eclectic mix of homes that were largely built in the early and mid-20th century. It’s common to see beach cottages and Craftsman homes alongside the occasional Victorian design. Home sizes are typically small, ranging from as small as 500 square feet to more than 1,500 square feet. Lots are also tiny, but there's still plenty of room for lush landscaping and small gardens. Traffic is typically calm in the neighborhood, and sidewalks offer safe travel for pedestrians. The neighborhood’s seaside locale means buyers pay a premium for housing: prices range between $1 million and $2 million.Santa Cruz public schools
Young students can 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 litany 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.Getting around Monterey Bay and beyond
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 and San Jose. For those who prefer public transit, there are several Santa Cruz Metro bus lines available in the neighborhood.Floods and severe storms
Lower Seabright is at an increased risk for flooding and severe storms because of its oceanfront location. Several major storms have battered Santa Cruz beaches in recent years, including a few in 2023 and 2024 that required major cleanup and restoration efforts.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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Guy Chanda
Chanda Realty
(831) 480-3947
30 Total Sales
1 in Lower Seabright
$710,000 Price
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Winnie Kepler
Coastal Properties Of California
(831) 275-9089
36 Total Sales
1 in Lower Seabright
$3,100,000 Price
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Shawndy Linquist
Compass
(831) 708-6387
68 Total Sales
1 in Lower Seabright
$769,000 Price
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Gregory Jewett
Lightning Real Estate
(818) 418-8546
40 Total Sales
1 in Lower Seabright
$2,488,888 Price
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Jessyka Sommers
David Lyng Real Estate
(831) 576-6392
41 Total Sales
2 in Lower Seabright
$2M - $3.2M Price Range
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Jessica L. Wallace
Coldwell Banker Realty
(831) 201-5780
151 Total Sales
1 in Lower Seabright
$583,000 Price
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Lower Seabright | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
Robbery | 5 | 4 |
Burglary | 7 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 7 | 4 |
Larceny | 6 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Lower Seabright Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lower Seabright, Santa Cruz sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Lower Seabright, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $275,000, down 85% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods

Walk to the beach from this Midtown Santa Cruz neighborhood

Hillside neighborhood overlooking the Santa Cruz boardwalk and Monterey Bay

Sun-drenched neighborhood near Santa Cruz beaches

Coastal living in the heart of Santa Cruz County

Culturally rich neighborhood just outside of downtown Santa Cruz

Walkable, bikeable district in the heart of Santa Cruz