Why Live in Banana Belt
The Banana Belt neighborhood in Santa Cruz is known for its sunny weather, thanks to its location between the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills and Monterey Bay beaches. This area enjoys more sun and less fog, creating a bright and warm Mediterranean climate. The neighborhood features early and mid-20th century homes, including bungalows, cottages, ranch homes, Craftsman homes, and Mediterranean Revival styles with red-tiled roofs and stucco exteriors. Local parks such as Grant Park and John Franks Park offer picnic areas, playgrounds, and athletic courts, while the expansive De Laveaga Park provides hiking trails, baseball fields, an archery range, and a golf course. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Seabright Beach are less than 2 miles south, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is nearby for those seeking outdoor adventures.
Families in the Banana Belt have access to highly rated schools, including De Laveaga Elementary School, Branciforte Middle School, and Harbor High School, which offers various career and technical programs. The University of California, Santa Cruz is just 2 miles west, enrolling around 20,000 students annually. The neighborhood is bordered by Water Street and Soquel Avenue, which feature shopping and dining options like Tacos Moreno and Santa Adairius tasting room. Grocery stores such as Safeway, Whole Foods, and Grocery Outlet are conveniently located, along with the long-standing natural grocer, Staff of Life.
The Banana Belt is safer than the national average, making it a practical choice for families. State Route 1 and State Route 17 provide commuting options to nearby coastal towns and Silicon Valley, while Santa Cruz Metro bus lines offer public transit alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banana Belt a good place to live?
Banana Belt is a good place to live. Banana Belt is considered fairly walkable and a biker's paradise with some transit options. Banana Belt has 1 park for recreational activities. It is fairly dense in population with 11.0 people per acre and a median age of 41. The average household income is $153,503 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 53.7% of residents. A majority of residents in Banana Belt are home owners, with 43.6% of residents renting and 56.4% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Banana Belt can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Banana Belt neighborhood guide.
Is Banana Belt, CA a safe neighborhood?
Banana Belt, CA is less safe than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 5 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Banana Belt?
The median home price in Banana Belt is $675,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $135,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $3,500 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $150K a year to afford the median home price in Banana Belt. The average household income in Banana Belt is $154K.
What are the best public schools in Banana Belt?
The best public schools that serve Banana Belt are:
- Santa Cruz High School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 21:1 and an average review score of 3.8.
- Harbor High School has an A Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 19:1 and an average review score of 3.6.
- Mission Hill Middle School has an A- Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 19:1 and an average review score of 4.0.
What are the best private schools in Banana Belt?
The best private schools that serve Banana Belt are:
- Spring Hill School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 5:1 and an average review score of 4.6.
- Kirby School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 6:1 and an average review score of 4.6.
- Gateway School has an A+ Niche grade and a student teacher ratio of 6:1.
What are the most popular zip codes in Banana Belt, Santa Cruz, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Banana Belt, Santa Cruz, CA?
Home Trends in Banana Belt, CA
On average, homes in Banana Belt, Santa Cruz sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Banana Belt, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $665,000, up 60% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$665,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$665,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$356,249
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$294
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Median List Price
$675,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
60%