best places to live in Santa Cruz if you love the beach

There are so many reasons why people choose to relocate to Santa Cruz.

Some come for the ancient redwood forests. And others come for the relaxed lifestyle.

But out of all the possible reasons why homebuyers choose to live in Santa Cruz the most common is to be near the beach.

Santa Cruz is famous for its gorgeous white sand beaches that expand for miles along the coast line. These beaches are not only perfect for anything from suntanning to surfing.

And so much of the Santa Cruz lifestyle has to do with our beaches.

So if you’re on the hunt for a home, here are the best places to live in Santa Cruz if you love the beach:

Seabright

Located to the east of the San Lorenzo River, Seabright is one of the most popular waterfront communities in the whole of Santa Cruz. Not only is it centrally located near all of the city’s amenities, but it’s right on the beach.

The community is home to the Seabright State Beach. And although there is quite a bit of traffic, it’s nowhere near as busy as Santa Cruz’s Main Beach and Twin Lakes Beach.

In addition to this amazing beach, Seabright is within walking distance to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, as well as the Santa Cruz Harbor.

Homes for sale in Seabright are highly sought after by all types of homebuyers for their stunning architectural designs. Much of the real estate consists of restored craftsman and Victorian style homes, which will charm you from the moment you first lay your eyes on them.

You can find homes anywhere from the waterfront to the base of the Santa Cruz mountains, but no matter where you buy in Seabright, you’ll always be close to the beach.

Seabright Real Estate Listings

Live Oak

Live Oak is a large community in Santa Cruz that stretches between the city itself and the adjacent town of Capitola. Although Live Oak is known for its phenomenal forests and hiking trails, it’s most prized possession is its beaches.

Live Oak is home to miles upon miles of shoreline where you can find some of Santa Cruz’s most famous beaches, including Pleasure Point.

Pleasure Point is the top spot in the city for surfers, and is frequently used as the location for surfing competitions during the summer months.

Other local beaches include Corcoran Beach and Twin Lakes Beach, which are two popular spots in Santa Cruz.

What attracts so many homebuyers to Live Oak is its wide selection of real estate. You can find anything from trendy condos to waterfront estates in this community, giving homebuyers plenty of options to choose from.

Some of the most luxurious estates are located along East Cliff Drive. Not only do these homes have every amenity to ensure a comfortable lifestyle, they have unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean right from their backyards.

Live Oak Real Estate Listings

Capitola

Capitola is the ultimate seaside community in the Santa Cruz area. Not only does it have an amazing beach, but its town center is reminiscent of a Mediterranean seaside town. This makes it one of the most charming communities in the whole of Santa Cruz.

What attracts so many homebuyers to this area is its quaint boutiques and gift shops, as well as its cafes and restaurants. You can enjoy a delicious meal any day of the week while gazing over the glistening Pacific Ocean.

But possibly the most attractive feature of Capitola is its beach. The Capitola City Beach is the perfect place to go if you love to swim, surf, or play beach volleyball. In terms of beach quality, Capitola City Beach is as good as it gets. The white sand is soft and welcoming to all visitors, whether you’re there to sunbathe or surf.

Homes for sale in Capitola are highly desirable for all types of homebuyers. No matter where you buy in the community, you’re bound to be near either the beach or the shops in the city center.

But because of this prime location, the real estate in Capitola is more expensive than the average. Many of the homes in this area sell in the million dollar range.

Although the prices may be higher than the average, the homes are filled with tons of great amenities that make them absolutely phenomenal. In addition to their fantastic views, the homes generally have large windows, open-concept living spaces, and gourmet kitchens.

When you live in Capitola, everyday feels like a beach vacation!

Browse Capitola Homes for Sale

New Brighton

New Brighton is a waterfront community located just east of Capitola that’s known for its beautiful state beach.

Since New Brighton is situated outside of the main city of Santa Cruz, the beach here is relatively quiet. This means that you can enjoy the soft sound of the waves without being disturbed by throngs of people.

In addition to the New Brighton State Beach, this community is also near PotBelly Beach and Capitola Beach. Both of these spots are fantastic for lounging around and swimming in the ocean.

Homes for sale in New Brighton are located atop the coastal bluffs, giving them spectacular views of the water.

Much of the real estate in New Brighton consists of beach bungalows that typically have colorful exteriors and manicured front lawns. These homes are bound to impress you with their abundance of character!

New Brighton Real Estate Listings

Sort by:

Seacliff

With breathtaking views and white sandy beaches, Seacliff is the ultimate waterfront community.

Located in the city of Aptos, Seacliff is home to one of the top beaches in the Santa Cruz area—Seacliff State Beach. This beach is serene, offering the perfect setting for sun bathing and swimming.

Many visitors come to Seacliff State Beach to go snorkeling and scuba diving. Right off the coast of the beach is the U.S.S. Palo Alto—a partially sunken ship that now acts as a type of reef. It has become the home to many marine animals, making it the perfect spot to scuba dive.

In addition to this state park, Seacliff is also near the New Brighton State Beach and Park which also offers a lovely spot where you can enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

Real estate in Seacliff consists of little beach bungalows that have lovely front porches and shuttered windows. And since the community is located atop a bluff, many homes have spectacular views of the ocean.

Homes for sale in this area of town are generally pricier than the average because of their ideal waterfront location, but it’s possible to find modest homes near the beach for reasonable prices.

Seacliff Real Estate Listings

There are so many fantastic communities around Santa Cruz that are perfect for beachcombers. Learn about how you can make one of these waterfront communities in Santa Cruz your home by contacting Lauren Spencer today! She’s your real estate expert in the Santa Cruz area and is happy to help you with all your home buying needs.

Posted by Lauren Spencer on
Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.