Soquel: A small coastal city in Western California
Soquel is a census-designated city with a small population of 10,505, surrounded by heavy forests, large farms and the Pacific coast in western California. It is 6 miles from Santa Cruz, the closest major city with about 62,000 people. “Soquel has a small-town feel — like people like to go to the local high school football games,” says Dorene Dawson, a Realtor with Bailey Properties who was born and raised in the area.
Originally inhabited by the Sokel Native American Tribe, American settlers came to the area in the 1840s and helped grow the city into what it is today. With all the heavy forestry nearby, logging became a major industry during this time. Another huge part of the city’s history is its significant floods, notably the ones from December 1955 and January 1982, which has made the area foster a sense of community.
Soquel offers a split-life lifestyle, with the forests and the coast so close to one another. Soquel’s northern side is full of farms, including Rancho Soquel, Cherryvale Art Farm and the Everett Family Farm. The southern side is more coastal, about a mile from the Pacific. “Up in the hills, people have animals like chickens and horses. It’s a different way of living than those who live near the coast,” Dawson says. “But you can go from the redwoods to the beach in a matter of minutes.”
Soquel Residents like to watch their local high school football team.
Find your dream home in Soquel, where spacious properties and lush landscapes set the scene for relaxed living.
There are alot of agriculture farms raising horses and chickens in the Soquel area.
Soquel is known to be a short distance to the beach which is a big selling point for people who love the water.
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Major industries and employers
The city’s population has remained relatively stable over the past decade. According to the state of California, Santa Cruz County’s major industries include the sheriff's department, government and health. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Soquel’s median household income is $115,000, compared to $80,000 nationally.
Soquel has a mixture of 1970s ranch-style homes and early to mid-2000s two-story contemporary houses with stone exteriors and bay windows. Smaller properties have a mix of grassy and gravel front lawns and paved walkways leading directly to the road, and most of the larger homes are tucked between tall redwood trees. The median home price is $1.4 million, higher than the national median of $420,000. Properties stay on the market for an average of 33 days, compared to 45 days nationally.
Discover the charm of Soquel, where tree-lined streets and unique homes create a welcoming community.
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Soquel homes provide a perfect balance of privacy and convenience.
From cozy cottages to modern estates, Soquel offers a variety of homes surrounded by natural beauty.
Experience small-town charm with easy access to beaches, wineries, and scenic redwood forests in Soquel.
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Highly-rated school districts in Soquel
Kids in Soquel attend two different public school districts. The Soquel Union Elementary School District earned a B from Niche, while the Santa Cruz City High School District is graded A and ranked the top school district in the county. The city’s namesake schools are Soquel Elementary, rated B and Soquel High School, which earns an A-minus. Santa Cruz Montessori and Twin Lakes Christian School are local private, non-profit institutions that teach kindergarten through middle school. City churches include the Santa Cruz Hope Church and the Congregational Church of Soquel.
Cabrillo Community College currently enrolls over 15,000 students, and the University of California, Santa Cruz is a public college 7 miles away.
Soquel High School excels in comprehensive education.
Twin Lakes Christian School focuses on the education of its students.
Soquel Elementary offers different programs to help your kids excel in their studies.
Midtown Montessori has the staff dedicated to help students grow in academics.
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Outings at Anna Jean Cummings County Park
Anna Jean Cummings County Park is a 95-acre green space with a small playground, paved trails, athletic fields and a long, shaded metal slide. People swim in the Pacific Ocean waters at New Brighton State Beach and Capicola State Beach, and the DeLaveaga Golf Course, 4 miles away, has public nine and 18-hole layouts.
Anna Jean Cummings Park an amazing jungle gym for children.
anna Jean Cummings Park is a great place to walk with your furry friends.
New Brighton State Beach is a great place to cool off during summer months in Soquel.
New Brighton State Beach offers a scenic trail to the water.
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Casual meals at Cafe Cruz
In the heart of the city, antique sellers do business in an area called Soquel Village. Merchants sell everything from art to kitchenware to furniture. Safeway is the city’s main grocery store, offering everyday essentials, and the Capitola Mall is a top shopping destination with over 100 stores about a mile south. The mall also includes chain restaurants like Olive Garden and Chili’s Grill and Bar. Café Cruz is a casual American restaurant serving lunch and dinner, and Pretty Good Advice sells vegetarian food from a small Spanish Revival building.
Less than a mile north of Soquel is the Land of Medicine Buddha, a retreat center with sacred rocks and prayer wheels where people can unplug and nurture their spirits. Every year, the Taste of Soquel Festival brings the community together for food and local bands.
The Capitola Mall is the closest retail shopping center in the Soquel area.
Cafe Cruz has delicious American breakfast in the Soquel area.
Pretty Good Advice offers delicious breakfast sandwiches and burgers in the Soquel area.
Safeway has healthy food options for your loved ones in the Soquel area.
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Commutes on California State Route 1
Soquel Drive runs adjacent to California State Route 1, an east-west freeway reaching Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Metro has bus stops scattered along Soquel Drive. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office serves the city. According to the FBI, violent crime in Soquel has decreased over the past few years, while property crime has stayed stagnant. The Dignity Health—Dominican Hospital is a 24-hour medical center about a mile away.
A Mediterranean climate
Soquel has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and wet winters. Because of its proximity to the coast, the city has a moderate risk of flooding.
Written By
Chloe Hawkins
Photography Contributed By
Paolo Abellana
Video By
Tyler Hall
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Soquel, CA sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Soquel, CA over the last 12 months is $1,322,500, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your bright and spacious Soquel retreat! This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home offers generous living spaces filled with natural light, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Freshly updated with new interior paint, flooring, modern lighting, and updated hardware throughout, the home feels fresh and move-in ready. The kitchen, while updated years ago, offers plenty of
Welcome to Rodeo Estates, Soquels sought-after 55+ community. This spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on a desirable CORNER LOT with luscious trees and greenery with seperation from your neighbors. This unit is steps away from the clubhouse, refreshing pool, and library. Built only 8 years ago, it feels even newer with fresh exterior paint and upgraded details. High ceilings, recessed lighting,
You know that rare moment when you step outside with coffee in hand and hear nothing at all, just birdsong, maybe a deer moving softly through the trees on your 2+ acre retreat. For 30 years, the sellers woke up to this, and it's clear why they never wanted to leave. This home balances something truly special: mountain hideaway serenity with the convenience of being minutes from Capitola,
Welcome to your bright and spacious Soquel retreat! This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home offers generous living spaces filled with natural light, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Freshly updated with new interior paint, flooring, modern lighting, and updated hardware throughout, the home feels fresh and move-in ready. The kitchen, while updated years ago, offers plenty of
Welcome to Rodeo Estates, Soquels sought-after 55+ community. This spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on a desirable CORNER LOT with luscious trees and greenery with seperation from your neighbors. This unit is steps away from the clubhouse, refreshing pool, and library. Built only 8 years ago, it feels even newer with fresh exterior paint and upgraded details. High ceilings, recessed lighting,
Welcome to your 1bedroom 1bath home in Alimur Park - an all age Co-op Park in Sunny Soquel. Fresh interior paint and new flooring give this cozy gem a light and airy feel. The large double paned window in the eat in kitchen streams in abundant natural light. The bedroom has bountiful storage with a full closet on one wall and a built in dresser/with 2 additional closets on the other! There is a
In the Heart of Soquel 4770 Soquel Dr. Above Play It Again Sports Walking distance to cafés, shops, and Post Office Lots of windows Lots of parking. Available September 2 PGE water garbage included. Move-in requires good credit score, proof of income and solid references
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