$1,354,773Average Value$867Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
Santa Cruz community near beaches and state parks
Western Drive-Nobel is where the Santa Cruz suburbs meet the rural meadows and forests beyond the city limits. The neighborhood is just south of the University of California, Santa Cruz, but it's only a short drive to soaring mountains, oceanfront beaches and cliffside vistas. “The university entrance is just a few blocks away, so the people who live here tend be university workers and students,” says Neal Langholz, a broker with Karon Properties and longtime resident of the neighborhood. "It also draws a lot of people who just want to be near the mountains and the ocean. It's a dream spot for me," says Langholz, who is an avid mountain biker and surfer.
The Western Drive neighborhood is a quiet place to live.
There are many types of homes built in the Western Drive neighborhood.
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Ranch homes, condos and contemporary stylesRanch homes, condos and contemporary styles
The neighborhood offers a wide range of housing options, from single-family homes to condos, townhouses and apartments. The streets are lined with sidewalks, tall trees and lush landscaping. Greenways crisscross the community, offering scenic travel for pedestrians and cyclists. Homes styles and sizes vary widely here. Some pockets of the neighborhood sport mid-20th century designs such as ranch homes and split-level homes, while others offer contemporary home styles. The western side of the neighborhood, situated around Western Drive, is one of the most sought-after places in the city for its large homes, sprawling lots and rural feel. Homes in the neighborhood typically sell for between $1 million and $2.5 million. The median list price in 2024 is $1.2 million.
Ranch Style homes are available in the Western Drive neighborhood.
Modern homes are popular in the Western Drive neighborhood.
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Highly rated Santa Cruz public schools
Young learners can attend Westlake Elementary School, which earns a A-minus rating from Niche. 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 Elementary School inspires curiosity in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz High School prepares students for bright futures.
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Getting around Santa Cruz and beyond
The neighborhood is bordered in the south by State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects Santa Cruz to coastal towns like Aptos and Capitola. It’s also about 2 miles from State Route 17, another major highway that climbs over 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. Sidewalks and bike lanes make for safe pedestrian travel.
The Santa Cruz buses take you everywhere in the Western Drive neighborhood.
Highway 1 is a great road to tour around the Santa Cruz area.
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Parks, greenways, mountains and beaches
There are several parks and greenways within the community where people can get some sunshine. University Terrace Park offers a playground, tennis courts, a basketball and a dog park. It’s also an access point for the Arroyo Seco Canyon Trail. Moore Creek Preserve borders the west side of the neighborhood; it's a 250-acre greenbelt offers hiking trails that wind across hills with views of Monterey Bay. Wilder Ranch State Park is also close to home. This 7,000-acre park features 35 miles of trails, some of which climb tall, rocky cliffs and bay beaches. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf are about 2 miles south of Western Drive-Nobel.
University Terrace has Tennis courts to practice your serve in the Santa Cruz area.
Wilder Ranch State Park is a great place to view the ocean in the Western Drive neighborhood.
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Santa Cruz shopping and dining
While there aren’t any shops or restaurants within the neighborhood, there are plenty of options nearby. To the south, there's a small commercial area where breweries and restaurants have taken over long-vacant warehouses and industrial buildings. West End Tap and Kitchen is a popular spot for drinks and dinner, while Cat & Cloud Coffee is the spot for espresso drinks and breakfast sandwiches. Groceries and everyday essentials can be found at New Leaf Community Markets and Safeway. Downtown Santa Cruz is 2 miles east of the neighborhood. It’s a walkable district with a wide variety of eateries, boutiques, movie theaters and an art museum.
New Leaf has a lot of healthy products and it is located in the Western Drive neighborhood.
Safeway is a great place to get some groceries in the Santa Cruz area.
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Increased risk of wildfires
Western Drive-Nobel 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 in the area north of the City of Santa Cruz.
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
Samantha Olden,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
University Terrace Park
Moore Creek Preserve
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
48 min drive
Bus
Western Dr & Flower
Bus
High & Tosca Terrace
Bus
Bay Dr & High
Bus
HWY 1 & Western Dr
Bus
Western Dr & Beachview Ave
Bus
Western Dr & Meder
Bus
Western Dr & Western Ct
Western Drive-Nobel Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Western Drive-Nobel, Santa Cruz sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Western Drive-Nobel, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $1,260,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Located near UCSC and Westlake Elementary schools, University Terrace Park and Nobel Street Park, Westlake Pond, and the UCSC bus line, this true single-level, end unit is tucked away in what may be the best spot in the complex. Large windows provide ample natural light and views of the greenbelt bordering the unit, as well as the lush private garden patio, complete with a large exterior storage
Close to UCSC - Upper Westside, rarely for sale 3 bedroom, 2-bathroom floorplan. Ground Floor Single Level End Unit adjacent to common area greenbelt and walking paths and with only one common wall this spacious townhouse feels more like a single-family home. Updated flooring and baseboards throughout, portions of interior freshly painted, new window blinds, breakfast bar with pass through to
Discover this stunning, turn-key single-level home offering breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. Perfectly positioned in the highly sought-after Upper Westside Santa Cruz, this home has undergone an extensive remodel that showcases exceptional attention to detail and pride of ownership. The tastefully updated kitchen and bath feature new appliances, modern fixtures, and upgraded lighting and
New price!! Homes in this neighborhood are rarely on the market. Charming 2007 Craftsman style 3 bedroom / 2.5 bath single family home features a spacious open floor plan with 12 ft ceilings, gas fireplace, hardwood plank floors and dining area. Cherry stained kitchen cabinets highlight granite counters w/breakfast bar, Frigidaire six burner gas range and custom lighting. Primary 2nd floor
Welcome to 221 Segre Place where you will finally find your dream home on the sought after upper-Westside. Light-filled living spaces designed for easy everyday living and an open layout makes this your future dream home. Outside, the private backyard is a true sanctuary. Mature plantings, refreshed landscaping, and ample space to garden, entertain, or simply relax make it a standout feature.
Live above the rest at The Hilltop Apartments! You'll find our beautiful apartment community located at the top of the hill on Western Drive on the westside area of Santa Cruz. We are just 1.4 miles from UCSC, on the bus line and just a few minutes to gorgeous beaches and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Many of our apartment homes feature scenic views of the pacific ocean, canyons and enchanting
OPEN HOUSE SAT. AUGUST 30TH 12 PM - 2 PM and SUN. AUGUST 31ST 12 PM - 2 PMYour Perfect Santa Cruz Spot — From Campus to Coast!Whether you’re a professional, family or a UCSC student looking for the ultimate home base, this fully renovated gem delivers. Perfectly positioned at the base of the Upper West Side, you’ll have an easy commute by car, bus, or e-bike — and be just minutes
Must see charming apt. Exceptionally well maintained. ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED IN RENT. Laundry in unit (no fee). Hardwood hickory floors, front and side yards, full size kitchen with newer appliances (full size refrigerator, gas range, disposal and dishwasher), central heat, double pane windows, front porch, landscaped front yard, close to public transportation etc. There is a bedroom and
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Samantha Olden,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has Equal Renters and Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,284
Median Age
30
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$107,450
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$140,273
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.9%
College Graduates
70.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
47.9%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.1%
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®
49/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
26/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
34/ 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.
