$1,627,038Average Value$989Average Price per Sq Ft58Homes For Sale
Coastal living in Aptos
In the morning, Pacific mist gives way to Rio Del Mar’s sun-drenched bluffs, frothy waves crashing against the beaches and pelicans and seagulls swooping over the surf. For residents, the appeal is pretty straightforward: “I love being able to walk to the ocean every day,” says Raylene Mallon, a retiree who lives a few blocks from the beach.
Located in the town of Aptos, California, this coastal neighborhood is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the colossal redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. While tourists gravitate to the Santa Cruz boardwalk or Capitola Village during the summer season, Rio Del Mar is more likely to bring locals and their families to the waterfront. “I see people every day that I grew up with, that I’ve known all my life. That’s the kind of community this is,” says Realtor Amy Jeske of Coldwell Banker, a longtime resident who grew up in the neighborhood.
Beaches, bluffs and redwoods
Rio Del Mar State Beach stretches along the coast beneath steep, seaside bluffs dotted with foliage and colorful wildflower blooms. Residents and visitors can be spotted swimming, fishing, walking and taking in the salty sea air on sunny days. With mild weather in the summer and winter temperatures that rarely dip below 40 degrees, people enjoy the beach all-year-round. “I love the beach in the winter. It’s so moody and romantic,” says Donna Kaelin, who lives in the neighborhood and walks along the beachfront every day.
Some beaches are a well-kept secret, like Hidden Beach Park. It’s only accessible via a dead-end, residential street with a small parking area. A short path leads visitors through a wooded gulley that opens onto a wide, sandy beach surrounded by steep, scrub-covered cliffs. Those looking for relaxation on dry land can book a tee time at Seascape Golf Club, a century-old course that winds across the coastal highlands. Just north of the neighborhood is The Forest of Nisene State Park, a dense woodland filled with deep-green redwood groves, chaparral and Douglas firs.
“Rio Del Mar is really unique because you can be in one of the most magnificent natural environments at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, and in less than five minutes you can be walking on the beach,” Jeske says. “Having a state park in your backyard is amazing.”
Eclectic, hillside homes
Homes are situated along hillsides, beaches and narrow roads lined with palm trees, oaks, wildflowers and tropical vegetation. Architectural styles vary widely, and most of the homes date back to the mid-20th century. “These typically started off as smaller homes built in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. People were coming up from Modesto, Merced and Fresno to beat the heat and they built tiny little beach homes to come to on the weekends. Over time, they just kept adding on. My house has been added on to multiple times,” Jeske says. It’s typical for smaller, older homes to sell for between $1.2 million and $2 million, while larger, luxury homes with ocean views list for between $5 million and $10 million.
Shopping and dining in Rio Del Mar and Aptos
There’s a small commercial plaza at the corner of Aptos Beach Drive and Rio Del Mar Boulevard with two restaurants, a café and a corner market. With a view facing the beach, locals can sip coffee on the patio at Venus Pie Trap or sit down for dinner at Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen. Next door in Seacliff are local favorites like Manuel’s Mexican and Marianne’s Ice Cream. The nearest grocery stores are Safeway and New Leaf Community Markets.
Highly rated schools
Students in Rio Del Mar attend some of the highest rated schools in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Young students attend Rio Del Mar Elementary School, a California Distinguished School that holds a B-plus rating from Niche, before moving on to B-rated Aptos Junior High School. Upperclassmen attend A-minus-rated Aptos High School. In 2024, the school district was recognized as one of the best in the country for music education by the NAMM Foundation, a nonprofit that helps fund school music programs.
Getting around Aptos and beyond
Rio Del Mar is bordered at its northern edge by State Route 1, a major regional commuter corridor. Traffic is typically heavy during rush hour as people leave and return for work. The neighborhood is served by several Santa Cruz Metro bus lines. Those in need of health care will find several small medical centers close by, including Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical in neighboring Capitola. The nearest large hospital is Watsonville Community Hospital, about 8 miles east of the neighborhood.
Need to know
Rio Del Mar is at an increased risk for flooding because of its proximity to the ocean. Several major storms have caused damages to beaches, infrastructure and some homes in recent years. People living at low elevations near the shoreline may be required to evacuate during severe weather events.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Rio del Mar, Capitola sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Rio del Mar, Capitola over the last 12 months is $1,539,500, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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