Live Oak
Relatively affordable homes in the heart of Santa Cruz County
The streets of Live Oaks are a hodgepodge of early and mid-20th century homes, mobile home parks, condos and the occasional newly built home. Landscaped front yards, privacy fences, tall pine and palm trees and narrow sidewalks are a common sight here. Prices are generally more affordable than in neighboring Pleasure Point and Capitola because the community doesn't directly border the beach. “Live Oak is not as cheap as it used to be, but it’s still very beautiful and relatively affordable. There are a lot of nice homes here,” says Realtor Jayson Madani of Room Real Estate, who lives just up the road in Scotts Valley. Prices for single-family homes typically range from around $1 million to $1.7 million, with the median resting at just under $1.2 million. Condo prices range from around $500,000 to $1 million.Community parks, pools and nearby beaches
Several community parks are tucked away along Live Oak's residential streets, including Chanticleer Avenue County Park, Felt Street County Park and Brommer Street County Park. All three offer picnic areas, playgrounds and benches where locals and their families can get out and enjoy the sunshine. South of the neighborhood is Simpkins Family Swim Center, an outdoor aquatic center with a splash zone, lap swimming and a picnic area. Live Oak Branch Library offers a cool place to read a book, use a public computer or enroll in programs and classes. The nearest beaches — Twin Lakes State Beach, Seabright State Beach and Santa Cruz Beach — are a little over a mile away. Breezy, cliffside vistas overlooking the bay are within reach at nearby Pleasure Point.Highly rated public schools
Young students can attend Live Oak Elementary School, which earns a B-plus rating from Niche. Sixth through eighth grade learners can go to B-plus-rated Shoreline Middle School, and upperclassmen attend A-minus-rated Soquel High School. More than 95% of Soquel High graduates go on to attend college.Local eateries and cafes
Live Oaks has a few restaurants and cafes, including Silver Spur, a saloon-style diner that's been around for decades. There's also El Jardin, a local favorite for authentic Mexican cuisine and frozen margaritas. The Live Oak Farmer’s Market brings a crowd every Sunday morning for local produce, street vendors and artisan wares. For everything else, Downtown Santa Cruz and Capitola are just a few miles away. Gayles Bakery & Rosticceria, about a mile east in Capitola, is a beloved restaurant that’s been serving up breakfast, lunch and baked goods for decades. Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Safeway are close by for grocery shopping and everyday necessities.Getting around Santa Cruz County
The neighborhood is traversed by State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects to coastal destinations like Aptos. Live Oak is 2 miles from State Route 17 which crosses the Santa Cruz Mountains and connects with Silicon Valley and San Jose. For those who prefer public transit, there are Santa Cruz Metro bus stops along the neighborhood’s major throughways.Dominican Hospital
Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital, a major regional medical center with a cancer center, birth center and a neonatal intensive care unit, is in Live Oak. The hospital has received high marks from Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit watchdog for hospital safety.


Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Jessyka Sommers
David Lyng Real Estate
(831) 576-6392
43 Total Sales
1 in Live Oak
$710,000 Price
-
Tim Proschold
Luxuriant Realty
(650) 753-7481
22 Total Sales
1 in Live Oak
$1,550,000 Price
-
Guy Chanda
Chanda Realty
(831) 480-3947
31 Total Sales
2 in Live Oak
$749K - $813K Price Range
-
Geneva Lawless
David Lyng Real Estate
(831) 708-9272
87 Total Sales
1 in Live Oak
$3,489,000 Price
-
Alana George
Intero Real Estate Services
(650) 668-4213
53 Total Sales
1 in Live Oak
$900,000 Price
-
Susan Robinson
eXp Realty of California Inc
(831) 208-3857
16 Total Sales
1 in Live Oak
$1,030,000 Price
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Live Oak | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 2 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
Robbery | 4 | 4 |
Burglary | 5 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Live Oak Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Live Oak, Santa Cruz sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Live Oak, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $1,090,000, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Open Houses
-
Saturday, Jul 191 - 4pm
-
Saturday, Jul 191 - 4pm
-
Saturday, Jul 191 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods

A sunny neighborhood in the Santa Cruz "banana belt"

Midcentury neighborhood with woodsy surroundings

Coastal living in the heart of Santa Cruz County

Walk to the beach from this Midtown Santa Cruz neighborhood

A sunny residential district in the heart of Santa Cruz

Midcentury homes in the wooded hills above Santa Cruz