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Santa Cruz Westside

Welcome to Santa Cruz Westside

Surf Culture, Coastal Living & Local Lifestyle
 

Discover Santa Cruz Westside

The Westside of Santa Cruz stretches from Downtown past the San Lorenzo River toward Natural Bridges, UCSC, and Wilder Ranch. Known for its local surf culture and distinctive laid-back vibe, the Westside blends residential charm, outdoor adventure, and community spirit.
 
In most neighborhoods, you'll find a mix of Santa Cruz natives, transplants who have now become locals, and UC Santa Cruz students, creating a dynamic community with deep roots and fresh energy. The area’s unique personality comes from this blend of long-time residents, young professionals, and academic influence, all thriving along streets lined with redwoods, oaks, and eucalyptus.
 

Neighborhoods & Homes

Westside neighborhoods range from classic mid-century homes and Craftsman bungalows to hillside properties and modern infill.
 
  • Lower Westside/Bay Street Corridor: Walkable, urban-adjacent, and close to Downtown and the river, popular with UCSC faculty and young professionals.
  • Upper Westside/UCSC Area: Quieter, more residential, with larger lots and easy access to campus, parks, and Wilder Ranch—ideal for families.
  • Natural Bridges & Delaware Area: Coastal neighborhoods with beach access, monarch butterfly reserves, and a mix of older homes and remodeled properties.
Homes here offer quiet streets, larger lots, and strong neighborhood continuity, making it a stable and welcoming area for buyers looking to settle long-term.
 

Surf, Coastline & Outdoor Lifestyle

The Westside is home to some of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful beaches and coastal views. Its rich surfing history includes Steamer Lane, a world-class surf spot, and the Santa Cruz Surf Museum, perched above the waves to honor generations of local surf culture.
 
From the Santa Cruz Wharf to Natural Bridges State Park, West Cliff Drive offers an amazing two-mile walking and biking path along the bluff front, where locals enjoy jogging, dog walking, cycling, and watching sunsets or marine life. Coastal parks, tide pools, and hiking trails make outdoor recreation a natural part of daily life for residents.
 

Shops, Dining & Entertainment

The Westside also boasts a bustling commercial district. Along Bay Street, Mission Street, and Swift Street Courtyard, you’ll find independent shops, restaurants, coffee roasters, local breweries, wine tasting rooms, and live music venues. It’s a neighborhood where running errands or grabbing a meal becomes a social and community-oriented experience.
 

Schools on the Westside

The Westside of Santa Cruz is a great place for families, partly because of its strong local schools and educational options that serve a variety of needs and ages.
 
On the Westside proper, several highly regarded public schools serve neighborhood children. Bay View Elementary School and Westlake Elementary School are two core neighborhood elementary schools with strong community ties. Mission Hill Middle School provides a key transition between elementary and high school, while Santa Cruz High School serves many older students from this part of the city.
 
One standout option on the Westside is Pacific Collegiate School, a public charter school for grades 7–12 that has earned national recognition for its academic rigor and college-prep focus. It is consistently ranked among the top public high schools in California and the nation.
 
In addition to these neighborhood public schools, families in the Westside area also have access to several well-regarded private and independent school choices within a short distance, offering alternative learning environments, smaller class sizes, and personalized academic programs. These include schools such as Santa Cruz Waldorf School, Holy Cross School, Gateway School, and others serving a range of grade levels and educational philosophies.
 
And of course, just up the hill from the Westside sits the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), a world-class institution of higher learning and a cultural hub that brings lectures, arts, performance, and community resources right into the neighborhood.
 

Why Buyers Love the Westside

The Westside is perfect for buyers seeking:
 
  • A laid-back coastal lifestyle rooted in surf culture
  • Some of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful beaches and ocean views
  • Quiet, established residential neighborhoods with larger lots
  • Access to strong public and private schools
  • Proximity to UCSC, trails, parks, and Wilder Ranch
  • A vibrant local commercial scene with shops, dining, breweries, and music
  • Long-term stability and community spirit
For home buyers searching for Santa Cruz Westside homes, this neighborhood offers a unique mix of coastal living, intellectual energy, and authentic local character, making it one of the city’s most desirable areas.

 

Property Listings

Active Under Contract
MLS® ML82033206

$1,699,000

200 Panetta Avenue 1, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
2,792 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® ML82027327

$475,000

1225 Shaffer Road 117, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
560 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® ML82022310

$298,000

2395 Delaware Avenue Unit: 88, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,332 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® ML82004205

$275,000

2395 Delaware Unit: 72, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,440 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® ML81962146

$245,000

2395 Delaware Avenue Unit: 42, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,152 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® ML82009596

$199,000

2395 Delaware Avenue Unit: 194, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,456 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® ML82007746

$34,500

2395 Delaware Unit: 59, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,440 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® ML81995012

$30,000

2395 Delaware Avenue Unit: 77, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,536 Sq.Ft.
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Overview for Santa Cruz Westside, CA

760 people live in Santa Cruz Westside, where the median age is 33 and the average individual income is $82,062. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

760

Total Population

33 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$82,062

Average individual Income

Around Santa Cruz Westside, CA

There's plenty to do around Santa Cruz Westside, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

52
Somewhat Walkable
Walking Score
85
Very Bikeable
Bike Score
27
Some Transit
Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Dance Santa Cruz / Avila Dance Instruction, Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts, and Redwood Coast Tours.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dance Santa Cruz / Avila Dance Instruction Logo
Active 2.17 miles 22 reviews 5/5 stars
Garth Taylor Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts Logo
Active 0.49 miles 9 reviews 5/5 stars
Redwood Coast Tours Logo
Active 1.97 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Radical Movement Factory Logo
Active 0.26 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Jennifer Rootes, CMT Logo
Active 3.35 miles 48 reviews 5/5 stars
Acne & Aging Skin Care Logo
Beauty 3.94 miles 14 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Santa Cruz Westside, CA

Population Households Employment

Santa Cruz Westside has 395 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Santa Cruz Westside do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 760 people call Santa Cruz Westside home. The population density is 8,526.474 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

760

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

33

Median Age

45.53 / 54.47%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
395

Total Households

2

Average Household Size

$82,062

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in Santa Cruz Westside, CA

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Santa Cruz Westside. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
Santa Cruz Westside

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A Smooth Journey Starts Here

Whether you’re buying, selling, or evaluating land, Kathleen Manning is ready to guide you with integrity, organization, and a deep understanding of the region.

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Contact Details

Kathleen Manning | CA DRE# 00885315

Phone

831.566.3127

Email

[email protected]

Address

627 Capitola Ave Capitola, CA 95010

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