Why Live in Lighthouse-The Circles
Lighthouse-The Circles in Santa Cruz is a coastal neighborhood known for its historic charm and oceanfront living. The area is divided into two sections: The Circles, with its origins dating back to the 1890s, features smaller lots and eclectic old homes, fostering a close-knit community atmosphere. The Lighthouse district, located along the oceanfront, boasts larger and newer homes. Residents enjoy easy access to the beach, with popular activities including surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and biking. West Cliff Drive offers scenic seaside paths for walks and views of the surf, while Lighthouse Field State Beach provides open green spaces and houses the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum. The neighborhood also includes cozy parks like Garfield Park and Sergeant Derby Park, and the Bethany Curve greenway trail.
For things to do, residents are within walking and biking distance of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a historic amusement park, and the Santa Cruz Wharf, the longest pier on the west coast with dining and shopping options. The nearby revitalized industrial area features cafes, breweries, and restaurants. Grocery shopping is convenient with Safeway and New Leaf Community Markets close by.
Homes in The Circles are primarily early 1900s beach bungalows, cottages, and Craftsman styles, while West Cliff Drive features large luxury homes and midcentury designs. The neighborhood is lush with tropical landscaping, including palm trees and colorful flowers. Education is well-regarded with Mission Hill Middle School and Santa Cruz High School both earning high ratings. The area is safer than the national average, and transportation options include bus lines and bike lanes, with State Route 1 and State Route 17 providing access to nearby destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lighthouse-The Circles a good place to live?
Lighthouse-The Circles is a good place to live. Lighthouse-The Circles is considered somewhat walkable and a biker's paradise with some transit options. Lighthouse-The Circles has 3 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly dense in population with 12.8 people per acre and a median age of 44. The average household income is $148,824 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 58.3% of residents. A majority of residents in Lighthouse-The Circles are home owners, with 39.1% of residents renting and 60.9% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Lighthouse-The Circles can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Lighthouse-The Circles neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Lighthouse-The Circles?
The median home price in Lighthouse-The Circles is $669,900. If you put a 20% down payment of $134,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.72%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $3,470 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $149K a year to afford the median home price in Lighthouse-The Circles. The average household income in Lighthouse-The Circles is $149K.
What are the best public schools in Lighthouse-The Circles?
The best public schools that serve Lighthouse-The Circles 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 Lighthouse-The Circles?
The best private schools that serve Lighthouse-The Circles are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Lighthouse-The Circles, Santa Cruz, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Lighthouse-The Circles, Santa Cruz, CA?
Home Trends in Lighthouse-The Circles, CA
On average, homes in Lighthouse-The Circles, Santa Cruz sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Lighthouse-The Circles, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $661,000, up 87% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$661,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$477,450
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$920,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$920,000
Median 1 Bedroom Sale Price
$620,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$535
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Last 12 months Home Sales
31
Median List Price
$669,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
87%