$1,833,517Average Value$394Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
The heart of West Side Santa Cruz
Westlake is a residential district in West Side Santa Cruz, just 2 miles from Santa Cruz beaches and less than a mile from the city's downtown district. Located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it has a secluded feel while still being close to some of the city's major attractions. “It’s on hill, raised up from the town. And it’s a great walking neighborhood,” says Realtor Geneva Lawless of David Lyng Real Estate, who grew up in Westlake. “One thing most people don’t know is that, if you want to get to Downtown Santa Cruz, there are all these funny little staircases and narrow alleys that cut down the hillside.”
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Eclectic, midcentury homes near Downtown
Westlake offers a mix of classic ranch homes and custom-built designs. Most were constructed between the 1950s and the 1980s, although there are some that date back to the early 20th century. “The housing styles are a lot more consistent than in the rest of Santa Cruz, where you’ll have older, eclectic homes right next door to a contemporary home,” Lawless says. Lot sizes range from around a quarter-acre to a half-acre, and some are situated on hills with views of the cityscape to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Some also have swimming pools in the backyard where residents can cool off on a sizzling summer day. The streets are brimming with vegetation, chaparral and tall palms, pines and oaks. Homes in the neighborhood typically sell for between $1.5 million and $3 million. The median list price in 2024 is $1.8 million.
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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. Westlake Elementary is in the center of the neighborhood, and it's only a short walk, bike or drive from many homes. 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.
Santa Cruz High School fosters academic excellence.
Mission Hill Middle School excels in Santa Cruz education.
Westlake Elementary School inspires curiosity in Santa Cruz.
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Getting around Santa Cruz and beyond
Westlake is less than a mile from State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects Santa Cruz to coastal towns like Aptos and Capitola. From State Route 1, it’s about 2 miles to the on-ramp for State Route 17, another commuter road that crosses the Santa Cruz Mountains. Santa Cruz Metro bus lines available in the neighborhood for those who need public transit. There are also sidewalks and bike lanes for those who want travel on foot or by bike. Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital, a major regional medical center, is about 3 miles east.
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Parks, lakes, trails and beaches
Westlake Park is where the community gathers to get some sunshine. The park is situated around a lake that’s bordered by tall trees and park lawns. Fishing at the lake is restricted so that only kids under 16 years old and seniors over 65 can cast their lines. Harvey West Park, at the northeastern edge of the neighborhood, has a public pool, a bike track, bocce ball courts and grassy picnic areas. At 50 acres, it’s one of the largest public parks in the city. Pogonip Open Space is just north and features a labyrinth of trails that wind across wooded hillsides and meadows. Wildlife thrives here, and locals might catch a glimpse of a black-tailed jack rabbit, an acorn woodpecker or a Pacific giant salamander. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf are about 2 miles south of Westlake.
Westlake Park is ideal for a quiet afternoon by the pond, surrounded by lush greenery.
Pogonip Park's winding paths are ideal for nature walks and adventure.
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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. Downtown Santa Cruz is less 2 miles east of the neighborhood. It’s a walkable district with a wide variety of eateries, boutiques, movie theaters and an art museum. The Walnut Avenue Café is a local favorite for breakfast and brunch. Mission Street is south of Westlake and has lots of restaurants and several grocery stores, including Safeway and New Leaf Community Markets. High Street Community Church is within the neighborhood.
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Increased risk of wildfires
Westlake is at an increased risk of wildfires. Throughout California, wildfires have become more frequent and dangerous. A 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
Nick Bailey,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Pogonip
Westlake Park
West Lake Park
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
46 min drive
Bus
Bay Dr & Nobel Dr
Bus
High & Laurent
Bus
High & Highland
Bus
Bay & Escalona Dr
Bus
Highland Ave & Escalona Dr
Bus
High & Moore
Bus
Bay Dr & Meder
Westlake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Westlake, Santa Cruz sell after 3 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Westlake, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $349,900, down 29% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Properties like this don't come up often, especially one that combines a mostly usable lot with expansive ocean & city views. Tucked away from the street, this property offers privacy, mature landscaping, a white sand bocce ball court, & standout curb appeal. Extensively remodeled throughout with a newer roof & solar. The interior features hardwood floors, large picture windows that flood the
New price for this Upper Westside private oasis with distant ocean views, sunny lot for gardening, and lots of room to entertain, is waiting for you! This home is situated within walking distance to Westlake School, UCSC, pogonip for hiking, downtown restaurants and shops, and a quick bike ride to the beach. Concrete stairs lead you to your home that features vaulted ceilings, fireplace,
Short walk to UCSC main campus, Westlake Park, Westlake Elementary school, close to various trails and up the hill from natural bridges state beach, this very well maintained 3-bed, 2.5-bath home boasts 1902 sq ft of living space on a 3223 sq ft lot. The property is an attached single family house offering an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and loads of natural light, decent sized backyard
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 Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,934
Median Age
40
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$119,921
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$161,842
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.4%
College Graduates
66.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
38.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
63/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
40/ 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.
