Why Live in Upper Seabright
Upper Seabright in Santa Cruz is a sun-soaked neighborhood known for its oceanfront scenery and walkability. Residents enjoy a mix of beach bungalows, cottages, and Victorian homes, with some newly built houses replacing older structures. The neighborhood is popular among both part-time residents with summer homes and long-term locals. Seabright State Beach, just a half-mile away, is a favorite spot for swimming, surfing, and watching Pacific sunsets. The Santa Cruz Harbor, home to the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, offers a place for locals to dock their boats and enjoy regattas. Community parks like Ocean View Park and Frederick Street Park provide playgrounds, grassy fields, and athletic courts, while the Santa Cruz Riverwalk offers a scenic route along the San Lorenzo River.
Upper Seabright's central location means residents are within walking distance of numerous dining options, including Linda’s Seabreeze Café and Verve Coffee Roasters. Downtown Santa Cruz, about a mile west, features a variety of eateries, breweries, boutiques, and a movie theater. Grocery shopping is convenient with Whole Foods Market and Staff of Life nearby. The historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, located 1.5 miles southwest, attracts many visitors each summer with its amusement park.
The neighborhood is served by highly rated schools, including Branciforte Middle School and Harbor High School, which offers diverse career and technical programs. Upper Seabright is about a mile from State Route 1 and State Route 17, providing access to coastal destinations and Silicon Valley. Known as the “banana belt” for its sunny weather, Upper Seabright experiences less fog than other parts of Santa Cruz, though some areas are prone to flooding due to their proximity to the ocean and the San Lorenzo River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Upper Seabright a good place to live?
Upper Seabright is a good place to live. Upper Seabright is considered fairly walkable and a biker's paradise with some transit options. Upper Seabright has 2 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly dense in population with 14.3 people per acre and a median age of 42. The average household income is $128,796 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 54.7% of residents. A majority of residents in Upper Seabright are renters, with 60.8% of residents renting and 39.2% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Upper Seabright can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Upper Seabright neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Upper Seabright?
The median home price in Upper Seabright is $375,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $75,000 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $1,940 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $83K a year to afford the median home price in Upper Seabright. The average household income in Upper Seabright is $129K.
What are the best public schools in Upper Seabright?
The best public schools that serve Upper Seabright 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 Upper Seabright?
The best private schools that serve Upper Seabright 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 Upper Seabright, Santa Cruz, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Upper Seabright, Santa Cruz, CA?
Home Trends in Upper Seabright, CA
On average, homes in Upper Seabright, Santa Cruz sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Upper Seabright, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $457,500, up 22% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$457,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$634,900
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$310,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$339,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$375
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
22
Median List Price
$375,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
22%