Santa Cruz Real Estate News & Information

Beach Volleyball in the Santa Cruz Area

As the summer heats up, it’s the perfect time to spend some time on or near the beach. Year after year, the beaches of Santa Cruz see countless people staying active, enjoying sports and other activities. Beach volleyball, a popular sport, is a great way to get up and get out, while also spending some time on the sunny sands.

For those new to beach volleyball (or for those new to the area and unsure where to begin!) here’s a guide to all of the Santa Cruz beaches suitable for the sport.

Main Beach, Santa Cruz 

Along Santa Cruz's coast, right by the wharf, is the Main Beach: a popular destination for tourists and residents alike. It offers a multitude of things to do, not limited to sun tanning, building sand castles, and swimming—though…

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Alternative Interior Design Ideas for the Summertime

It's almost summer in Santa Cruz, and you might be feeling like you want to make some changes to your home.  Trends in fashion move quickly, but that’s not always the case for interior design, as it usually takes a few years for new things to come into (and then fall out of) style.

That being said, for those searching for a new home or for those looking to update their space, it can be helpful to see what’s in and what’s out. Below are some popular trends in interior design for this summer—with alternatives for a bit of a unique spin on things.

Bold Colors to Patterned Tile

In a rejection of the sleek and modern palette of beiges, creams, and grays, bold colors have been quite popular in interior design, specifically within more…

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Things to Do in and Around Capitola

With its iconic, colorful buildings lining the waterfront, Capitola is well-known to be a charming beach town, and is located just east of the city of Santa Cruz. It has a population of about 10,000 people (as of 2022) and is part of the Santa Cruz-Watsonville statistical area.

Though small in size and primarily considered a tourist stop for Santa Cruz visitors, this beautiful community has a lot to offer its residents. Homes for sale in Capitola are located near a variety of attractions and amenities, not limited to the beach and fine dining restaurants. Discover some of the highlights of Capitola, California below.

The Capitola Wharf & Capitola State Beach

Perhaps the most recognizable landmark of the area, Capitola State Beach is…

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Guide to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

The city of Santa Cruz is recognized for its gorgeous location and rich history, and as soon as nicer weather hits, the Santa Cruz Wharf and Cowell Beach start to see visitors. One of the most popular things to do in the city is visit the amusement park down by the water.

This year, the Giant Dipper, a Santa Cruz landmark, celebrates its one hundredth anniversary, which means special events and discounted tickets. There's also a fireworks show on May 18th. For those who may not live in the area—or for those who have never been!—this is our guide to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park.

About The Park

First opened in 1907, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park is the oldest amusement park in the entire state. For…

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Santa Cruz County Guide to Windsurfing & Kitesurfing

It might not be summer just yet, but warmer weather is just around the corner, and that means fun at the beach!

Though not as popular as traditional surfing—a sport that Santa Cruz is proudly world-famous for—windsurfing and kitesurfing are alternative sports enjoyed by many across the county. But before you get your gear together and set out onto the water, there are a few things to be aware of and consider. 

Both windsurfing and kitesurfing have seen some dips in popularity over the years, as many choose to start with traditional surfing or other water activities. Additionally, Santa Cruz’s conditions are not always beginner-friendly—another reason why people might be reluctant to try, or take their board up north to gentler waters.…

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Neighborhood Spotlight: Pasatiempo

Located off of Graham Hill Road, in the beautiful hills north of Santa Cruz, Pasatiempo is a desirable luxury community with a lot to offer. 

Primarily known for its highly-rated golf course, Pasatiempo (Spanish: “Pastime") is classified as a census-designated place with a population of around 1,300 people—a number which has remained quite steady in the past decade. For those seeking a peaceful alternative to the upbeat city of Santa Cruz, Pasatiemo offers that luxury and more.

Private Lifestyle

Three miles north of the Santa Cruz downtown (about a 10-minute drive, traffic depending) is the private community of Pasatiempo. Offering unrivaled privacy, most of the homes in this area are found behind a gated entrance with surveillance.…

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April Events in Santa Cruz: 2024

You’ve heard the saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” For Santa Cruz residents, however, the rain might just be getting to be a bit too much. Despite the weather recently, it’s always a great idea to get out and explore what the city has to offer.

This month, there are a multitude of outdoor—and indoor, for those really rainy days!—events being hosted in the downtown area, for a range of different interests. From cycling through the city to story time for kids, there’s so much happening this April in Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Earth Day

April 22nd is officially Earth Day, an event that seeks to generate awareness regarding climate change, sustainability, energy, and more, usually culminating in an hour-long blackout. As this falls on a…

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Santa Cruz Real Estate Market Update - February 2023

For the past few years, the real estate market in the Santa Cruz metro area has seen some changes—most significantly that housing prices continue to rise, despite a number of external factors (i.e. a pandemic, a rising cost of living) that would typically cause average prices to stagnate or even fall. Of course, this is true of most areas across the state, but it can be a bit disheartening, particularly for first-time homebuyers.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in and around Santa Cruz, the following information may help you better understand the market before you make your decision.

What’s The Santa Cruz Real Estate Market Like?

Comparing data from both the state of California and the metro area of Santa Cruz, there are a…

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Santa Cruz History: Landmark's Del Mar Theatre

Located at 1124 Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, Landmark’s Del Mar Theatre offers a historic movie-going experience. Its marquee, instantly-recognizable, lights up with both local films and international blockbusters, making it a diverse experience tailored to both casual movie watchers and die-hard cinephiles. Or, Die Hard cinephiles.

Landmark’s Del Mar Theatre: A History

Landmark’s Del Mar Theatre resides in a beautiful Art Deco style building, which was first constructed in 1936, and has been a, well, landmark of the Santa Cruz downtown for just as long. Though the building has changed and gone through maintenance and renovations, it has retained many of its original features. Its last major renovation was completed in 2002. 

The theater…

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Valentine's Date With A Book: Novels Set In California

From hiking along the first trails to chatting over a cup of coffee, there are a multitude of romantic ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Santa Cruz—but sometimes the best company is that of a really great book! 

Searching for your next favorite read? Here are some of our top picks for novels set in California, spanning a range of genres as diverse as the state itself.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Science Fiction (Dystopian)

Originally published in the early 90s, Parable of the Sower takes place in the year 2024, and follows the main character, Lauren. After a series of events in her small, protected community, Lauren treks across the northern Californian wilderness to find safety, and in the process founding her own…

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