$1,735,444Average Value$1,414Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Coastal living in the heart of Santa Cruz
A weekend afternoon in Lighthouse-The Circles might look like laying on a sandy beach followed by a twilight walk along rocky, oceanfront bluffs overlooking Monterey Bay. In the distance, residents and visitors can take in the bright-lit Santa Cruz Boardwalk against a backdrop of misty, forested mountains. Coastal living has always been the appeal of this historic Santa Cruz community, says Realtor Michele Replogle of Compass Real Estate, a lifelong Santa Cruz resident: “The people that live here want to be close to the water. It’s a big destination for surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking and biking."
The neighborhood is split into two distinct sections: The Circles and the Lighthouse district. Located about five blocks from the beach, The Circles traces its origins to the 1890s when the State Association of Christian Churches decided to hold its annual convention in Santa Cruz. In preparation for the festivities, the organization set up cottages and tents on circular streets surrounding a central tabernacle. The street layout stuck, and today, it’s a vibrant community full of eclectic old homes. “The lots and homes are smaller here, so you have a tighter community. You have to be congenial because people are living right next to you,” Replogle says.
The Lighthouse district is just south of The Circles along the oceanfront. It borders Lighthouse Field State Beach, one of the few remaining urban, coastal parks in California. Its homes are typically larger and newer than those in The Circles.
Westcliff Drive is a perfect place to exercise or enjoy the beach.
There is also a surfer museum at Lighthouse Neighborhood Park.
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Beaches, state parks and a world-famous surf break
West Cliff Drive is where residents walk on wide paths that hug the edge of the neighborhood’s seaside bluffs. Popular with locals and tourists, it’s an ideal place to watch the morning mist give way to a sunny day on the surf. It's also home to Lighthouse Field State Beach, a grassy open space on the bluffs. The park is home to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, an historic landmark housed in a former lighthouse that overlooks Steamer Lane, a world-famous surf spot. Along some parts of West Cliff Drive, the cliffs dip down to reveal rocky, sandy beaches often dotted with colorful umbrellas and tents.
Further inland, cozy community parks like Garfield Park and Sergeant Derby Park offer playgrounds, picnic areas and wide-open fields. Bethany Curve is a four-block greenway trail in the Lighthouse district that provides pedestrian access to the oceanfront. A section of the Santa Cruz Rail Trail cuts across the northern edge of the neighborhood, providing people a scenic way to get around the city on foot.
The Surfer Museum is located on Westcliff Drive in the Santa Cruz Area.
There is a local going in to Derby Park.
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Walk to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Residents are walking and biking distance from some of the city’s best-known attractions. About a mile east is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a century-old amusement park with games, rollercoasters, rides and a classic arcade. Right next door is the Santa Cruz Wharf, a wooden pier with restaurants, gift shops and tiki lounge with a circular, revolving bar. At more than 2,700 feet, it's the longest pier on the west coast. West of the neighborhood is a revitalized industrial area where old warehouses have been converted into cafes, breweries, wineries and restaurants. The closest grocery stores are Safeway and New Leaf Community Markets.
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a great place to take your family.
Safeway is a great place to get some groceries in the Santa Cruz area.
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Eclectic homes by the bay
Homes in The Circles were primarily built in the early 1900s on small lots. Beach bungalows, cottages and Craftsman homes with wood-shingled siding are common home types in the neighborhood. Along West Cliff Drive, there are large, luxury homes in addition to older, midcentury style designs. Lush, tropical landscaping is the norm, with palm trees dotting the horizon and colorful flowers lining the sidewalks. Homes in the Circles typically list for between $800,000 and $2 million, while Lighthouse district homes list for between $1.5 million and $3.5 million.
Craftsman homes are popular in the Santa Cruz area.
There are a lot of modern homes in the Santa Cruz area.
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Solidly rated schools in the Santa Cruz school district
Young learners attend Bay View Elementary School, which earns a B-minus rating from Niche. The school places a strong emphasis on visual arts, music and environmental education both inside and outside the classroom. Students move on to Mission Hill Middle School and Santa Cruz High School, both of which earn A ratings.
Santa Cruz High School prepares students for bright futures.
Bay View Elementary has the best classes in the Santa Cruz area.
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There are many buses that run around the Santa Cruz area.
Getting around Santa Cruz and beyond
Lighthouse-The Circles is bordered at its northern edge by State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects to coastal destinations like Half Moon Bay and Capitola. It also offers a connection to State Route 17 which twists and turns through the Santa Cruz Mountains on the way to Silicon Valley. For those who prefer public transit, there are several bus lines that traverse the neighborhood. Bike lanes make for a safe, easy ride throughout the area.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Maureen Kendall,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Garfield Park
Derby Park
Lighthouse Neighborhood Park
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
49 min drive
Bus
Delaware Ave & Woodrow Ave
Bus
Delaware Ave & Liberty
Bus
Bay & National
Bus
Delaware Ave & Fair Ave
Bus
Bay & California
Bus
Delaware Ave & Centennial
Bus
Delaware Ave & National
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lighthouse-The Circles
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lighthouse-The Circles, Santa Cruz sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Lighthouse-The Circles, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $1,900,630, up 14% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$100,000 price Reduction! This home is a Charming lower West Side Beauty! Features: owned solar, custom built cabinetry, beautiful coffered ceilings (in both living room and family room), 3 separate heating zones, fire sprinkler system, attached one car garage, copper gutters and drains, stainless steel appliances, fireplace with tile surround, Hardwood and tiled floors, Lutron maestro dimmers
Here is the West Cliff Drive home you have been waiting to come available. Located on the prestigious 900 Block with unobstructed views of the Monterey Bay, a quick stroll to Lighthouse Field and Steamer's Lane. The 3 bedroom, 3 bath main home boasts 2,552 sf with a ground floor bedroom and full bath. The primary bedroom overlooking the Bay, includes a jacuzzi tub, fireplace and walk-in
Welcome to 101 Graham, a beautifully updated 3BR/2BA single-level gem on the coveted lower westside on an oversized 5,000+ sqft lot. Enter into the living room with LVP flooring, recessed lighting, and dual pane windows, opening onto the open concept kitchen with a 5-burner Thermador range. Almost completely remodeled from the ground up, the center hall floor plan leads to ample-sized three
Discover 1004 West Cliff Drive - On Monterey's Marine Bay Sanctuary, where breathtaking ocean views meet timeless design. This coastal retreat offers a spacious Mid-Century Modern home, a two-bedroom ADU with sweeping ocean vistas, and a Penthouse with its own entrance, providing endless options for relaxation, creativity, and entertaining. Start your day on the front deck watching whales and
LIVE STEPS FROM THE SAND! Discover a restful retreat at Oceanview Apartments, a peaceful beach-side Community located just moments from everything that Santa Cruz has to offer. Oceanview offers beautifully remodeled one and two bedroom apartment homes and is conveniently situated near scenic Santa Cruz beaches, famous surf spot, Steamer Lane, and is adjacent to the beautiful Lighthouse
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Maureen Kendall,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,551
Median Age
44
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$121,558
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$148,824
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.2%
College Graduates
58.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
26.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
91/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
69/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
30/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
