East Santa Cruz

East Santa Cruz real estate and community is a perfect balance between the funky vibe of Downtown and the quieter energy of South County.

Welcome to East

East Santa Cruz Real Estate & Community

Eastside Santa Cruz real estate and community is a perfect balance between the funky vibe of Downtown and the quieter energy of South County. One thing about the East Side: it’s pretty much just locals around here. The tourists thin out as you get a few miles south of Downtown until it feels like just neighbors at your local beaches, restaurants, and parks.

Eastside Santa Cruz Food

The East Side has a handful of locally cultivated restaurants. There are less options than Downtown or Aptos Village, but every establishment here feels hand selected. Start your morning with Harbor Cafe, a favorite brunch spot that’s easy to miss because of its unassuming location and beach-shack-chic exterior. You’ll get the hint on a Saturday morning though, when you spot throngs of locals waiting for their Cali Benedict, Churro Belgian Waffle, or Tofu Scramble – best washed down with a housemade Bloody Mary.

In the evening, venture over to the Crow’s Nest, a beachside restaurant that sits right at the mouth of the Harbor (translation = sailboat views come complimentary with every meal). Delicious food, cool cocktails, and stellar sunsets make this a locally loved eatery. Upstairs the Breakwater Bar We & Grill (the affiliate, more casual dining area) offers even better views, live music, and an especially spectacular vantage point to watch the sunset.

Other local favs include Seabright Deli, if you’re looking for a great sandwich to take to the beach; Tramonti, if you’re in the mood for classic Italian food or a good Spritz (they have three different types); and La Posta, another Italian restaurant that offers Neighborhood Night every Wednesday (AKA, a free glass of wine with every pizza/pasta order)!

Eastside Santa Cruz Family

Alright, we’ve sold you on the lifestyle here in East Side Santa Cruz (honestly, one of the most underrated communities). Now, where to live? The Seabright neighborhood offers a wide array of family homes in a quintessential beach town neighborhood, from classic bungalows, to new townhomes, to historic Victorians. What we love about this neighborhood is its proximity to the beach and the conveniences of town.

The Live Oak neighborhood is just next door – it’s a little further from the ocean (though only a sub 5-min drive) but it is close to everything in Capitola, and just a short drive to Midtown and Downtown! Lastly, the Twin Lakes neighborhood is right by the Harbor and has direct access to Twin Lakes State Beach, an awesome stretch of sunny sand. You’ll find fabulous coastal cottages here, and everything is walking distance to the surf.

Ready to move to the East Side? We thought you might.

Eastside Santa Cruz Fun

Now that we’ve eaten our way through the East Side, we’re ready for some active fun. We’ll start with something easy, like a leisurely stroll out to Walton Lighthouse, which is right at the end of Seabright Beach. Head out to the end of the jetty at sunset for an unparalleled view of Monterey Bay. This is especially fun on Wednesday nights in the summer, during the sailboat races; local clubs speed between the Harbor and the Santa Cruz Wharf, while you have the best seat in the house at the Lighthouse.

The Harbor itself offers plenty of ways to have fun in the community. You could join a local yacht club and participate in the aforementioned sailboat races, or you could hop on board the Chardonnay. The Chardonnay Sailing Charter offers public cruises every week on their 70’ sailing yachts. But wait, it gets better: they offer a bunch of different themed excursions, depending on your mood – from brunch, to beer, to pizza, to a classic sunset sail.

Eastside Santa Cruz Fitness

Not close enough to the water for ya? Check out the SUP Shack that’s right here in the Harbor and rent paddle boards, kayaks, and boogie boards. In addition to the gear, you can also join a SUP yoga class on the water, a sunset tour, or even send the kiddos to a day camp in the summer!

Ready for something that’s a little more grounded? Check out Arana Gulch, a hidden gem of protected green space that begins at the end of the Harbor and scoops into the surrounding neighborhoods. The one mile paved loop is great for walking, biking, and checking out the native habitat! If the Arana Gulch Loop is just a warm-up for you, you’ll love Pacific Edge Climbing Gym (locally referred to as Pac Edge). Snag a day pass and gear rental for around $40 and start rock climbing! You could also join a class (they have yoga!), a club, or a summer camp for the kids.

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Overview for East Santa Cruz, CA

36,278 people live in East Santa Cruz, where the median age is 41.1 and the average individual income is $54,310. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

36,278

Total Population

41.1 years

Median Age

High

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

$54,310

Average individual Income

Around East Santa Cruz, CA

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

59

Somewhat Walkable

Walking Score

78

Very Bikeable

Bike Score

31

Some Transit

Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Chefany's Cakes, Paradise Dogs, and Covewater New Brighton SUP.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Chefany's Cakes page on Yelp	Dining · $$	2.35 miles	16 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Paradise Dogs page on Yelp Search Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Google Maps	Dining · $	1.94 miles	24 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Covewater New Brighton SUP page on Yelp Search 1500 Park Ave on Google Maps	Active	3.04 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Santa Cruz Strong - Curt Smeland page on Yelp Search 21521 E Cliff Dr on Google Maps	Active	0.96 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Portside Paddle Company page on Yelp	Active	1.36 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Santa Cruz Archery Lessons page on Yelp Search 151 Brookwood Dr on Google Maps	Active	1.87 miles	15 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Rocky's Rehab, Fitness, and Conditioning page on Yelp Search 2001 40th Ave on Google Maps	Active	1.36 miles	19 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Horse and Heart page on Yelp Search 5017 Ironwood Dr on Google Maps	Active	4.13 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Yvonne Horner, CMT page on Yelp Search 526 Soquel Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	1.63 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Whole Body Peace Massage page on Yelp	Beauty	2.35 miles	35 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Deja Vu Hair Studio page on Yelp Search 275 Center Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	4.24 miles	14 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Thayse Cesar page on Yelp Search 303 Potrero St on Google Maps	Beauty	2.44 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Rebecca Wecks Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork page on Yelp Search 406 Mission St on Google Maps	Beauty	2.5 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Acne & Aging Skin Care page on Yelp Search 638 San Juan Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	1.52 miles	14 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Handsome Beauty Bar page on Yelp Search 2030 N Pacific Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	2.19 miles	26 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Best Thai Spa page on Yelp Search 147 River St S on Google Maps	Beauty	1.99 miles	105 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Terra and Self page on Yelp Search 347 Soquel Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	1.74 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Tamar Leffert CMT page on Yelp	Beauty	2.17 miles	16 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Belle Vous Spa page on Yelp Search 608 Frederick St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.06 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for East Santa Cruz, CA

Population Households Employment

East Santa Cruz has 15,149 households, with an average household size of 2.34. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in East Santa Cruz do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 36,278 people call East Santa Cruz home. The population density is 7,179.94 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

36,278

Total Population

High

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

41.1

Median Age

48.64 / 51.36%

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

15,149

Total Households

2.34

Average Household Size

$54,310

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 East Santa Cruz, CA

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby East Santa Cruz. 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

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If you are looking for a team of real estate agents who are dedicated to providing exceptional service and results, look no further than the Strock Team. We are here to help you navigate the complex world of real estate with confidence and ease.

East Santa Cruz

PROPERTY

$15,995,000

$7,399,000

$5,588,000

$5,500,000

$5,495,000

$4,985,000

$4,395,000

$3,345,000

$3,250,000

Welcome to East

Eastside Santa Cruz Food

Eastside Santa Cruz Family

Eastside Santa Cruz Fun

Eastside Santa Cruz Fitness

Overview for East Santa Cruz, CA

36,278

41.1 years

High

$54,310

Around East Santa Cruz, CA

59

Somewhat Walkable

78

Very Bikeable

31

Some Transit

Points of Interest

Demographics and Employment Data for East Santa Cruz, CA

36,278

High

41.1

48.64 / 51.36%

15,149

2.34

$54,310

Schools in East Santa Cruz, CA

Strock Team

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Work

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Email

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