$1,591,453Average Value$1,142Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
A beach neighborhood in East Santa Cruz
Beachfront walks, yachts gliding across the Pacific surf and a cool coastal breeze are what residents come home to in Twin Lakes. This coastal neighborhood has all the hallmarks of a Santa Cruz vacation destination, but it’s less touristy than nearby Capitola and Pleasure Point. “It’s walkable, it’s bikeable and it’s mostly residential. It’s a quiet place. If you want some action, you’re probably going over to the Point,” says Nicole Myhrstad, owner of Vista Properties and a longtime Santa Cruz resident.
The Marina of Twin Lakes is where you can dock your boat.
The Beach homes in Twin lakes are five steps away from the beach.
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Beaches, lakes and birdwatching
East Cliff Drive runs parallel to Twin Lakes State Beach and is a great spot to take in sun-drenched afternoons and misty evenings. “It’s a big feature of the neighborhood. It runs from the yacht harbor alongside the beaches. It’s great for a drive or a long bike ride,” Myhrstad says. Twin Lakes State Beach is a mile-long, and has remained a popular spot for swimming, surfing and tanning. It’s right next to Schwan’s Lake, a popular birdwatching destination where a pair of binoculars will put warblers, sparrows, cormorants and hawks into view. At the north edge of the neighborhood, there’s Simpkins Family Swim Center, an outdoor aquatic center with a splash zone, lap swimming and a picnic area. Those looking for a place to set sail can look no further than the Santa Cruz Harbor.
Twin Lakes State beach has white sands.
Schwan's Lake is a great place to watch birds in the Twin Lakes area.
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The Crow’s Nest
The Crow’s Nest is one a long-running favorite in Santa Cruz. This cozy grille sits right on the waterfront where the harbor opens into the Monterey Bay. The same seaside shopping center is also home to Java Junction coffee shop and Café El Palomar, an authentic Mexican eatery with a beachfront bar and patio. Elsewhere, residents can dine at Lago di Como, a popular local Italian bistro, or Aloha Island Grille, which specializes in Hawaiian barbecue. For groceries and everyday essentials, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Safeway are all within a 3-mile drive.
Crow's Nest Restaurant is a great place to eat at Twin Lakes.
Trader Joe's is a great place to pick up some groceries in the Twin Lakes area.
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Cottages, beach houses and bungalows
Homes in Twin Lakes cross a broad spectrum, but the bulk of the houses were built in the mid-1900s. Cottages, Craftsman homes, bungalows and two-story beach homes can all be found here. An increasing number of newly built homes are also popping up across the community. “There used to be a lot of small, beach cottages on large lots. That’s changing though. One-by-one they’re being torn down and replaced with larger, two-story homes,” Myhrstad says. The most valuable real estate in Twin Lakes is closer to the oceanfront, where homes often sell for between $3 million and $5 million. Further from the sea, homes sell for between $1 million and $3 million. There are also two, large mobile home parks in the neighborhood that offer more affordable housing options.
There are a lot of beach houses in the Twin lakes area.
There are beautiful homes by the beach in the Twin Lakes area.
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Highly rated public schools
Young students can attend Del Mar Elementary School, which earns a B rating from Niche. Sixth through eighth grade learners move on 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.
Del Mar Elementary School fosters a love of learning in a vibrant community.
Engage in diverse programs at Mission Hill Middle School.
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Floods and severe storms
Twin Lakes residents are at an increased risk of flooding and severe storms because of its oceanfront location. Several major storms have battered Santa Cruz beaches in recent years, including storms in 2023 and 2024 that required major cleanup and restoration efforts along parts of the shoreline.
Getting around Santa Cruz
The neighborhood is about 2 miles from State Route 1, a commuter corridor that connects to coastal destinations like Half Moon Bay and Capitola. It’s also only 2 miles from 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 Santa Cruz Metro bus stops along the neighborhood’s major throughways.
There are a lot of buses that can take you around the Twin Lakes area.
Banana Belt is conveniently located near Highway 17 and 1.
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
Debra Ann Demos,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Felt Street County Park
Sunny Cove
Twin Lakes Park
Corcoran Beach
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
49 min drive
Bus
7th Ave & Dolores
Bus
17th Ave & Merrill
Bus
Portola Dr & 24th Ave (Live Oak Library)
Bus
Portola Dr & 18th Ave
Bus
Portola Dr & Corcoran Ave
Bus
Portola Dr & Clearwater Ct
Bus
E Cliff Dr (East Cliff Village)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Twin Lakes
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Twin Lakes, Santa Cruz sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Twin Lakes, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $1,587,331, down 13% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
When you consider oceanfront properties in Santa Cruz County, they all come with coastal issues, and to buy a home of similar quality, you'd have to triple your budget. This condo is worth every penny and has all the features of a perfect second home, including a new seawall below the complex. You would spend years trying to replicate this beauty with a first-class designer, contractor, & the
Coveted location in co-op Villa Santa Cruz adult community. Those who know..... know how special this location is! The home has 3 bedrooms, open concept living and dining area, and a bonus inspired space perfect for your favorite hobby! The interior shines with natural light, high ceilings, oversized windows, and new flooring. The primary bedroom has en suite bath w/ jetted tub and a walk in
This well-maintained and tastefully updated 2 bed, 2 bath home offers 1,060 sq ft of comfortable, open-concept living in a desirable 55+ community. The spacious layout features a light-filled living, dining, and kitchen area, in-unit washer/dryer, and generous storage throughout, including a bonus storage space. Enjoy the private back patio, perfect for relaxing in the sun. Shoreline Estates
Have you always dreamed of owning your own income-producing beach home that you also get to live in? This is your chance! Welcome to 399, 401, and 403 13th Ave, located in the desirable Live Oak neighborhood and nestled in between beautiful Santa Cruz Harbor and Pleasure Point beaches. The property consists of three units, a two-story duplex at the rear of the property, both with 1 bed/ 1 bath.
Welcome to your Santa Cruz oasis! This charming 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo offers a perfect blend of comfort and modern convenience, ideal for outdoors living, entertaining, and or beating the heat in Silicon Valley! Located just moments from Twin Lakes Beach, you'll have easy access to sun, sand, and surf whenever you desire. Enjoy the open kitchen with stainless steel appliances and the cozy
Opportunity Knocks in Santa Cruz! Welcome to this desirable located Triplex investment opportunity nestled in the heart of vibrant Santa Cruz. Whether you're looking to live in one unit and rent the others, or seeking a solid income-producing property, this is the one you have been waiting for. Each of the three units offers its own unique charm and functionality, with plenty of natural light,
Breakwater Apartments is located just walking distance to beautiful Santa Cruz beaches, famous surf spots in Pleasure Point, and minutes away to the harbor, downtown, Capitola Mall, and popular Beach Boardwalk. We offer spacious 1,2 and 3 bedroom apartments, including 2 bedroom townhomes and all are completely and newly renovated with modern amenities. The community also features a swimming pool,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Debra Ann Demos,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
5,747
Median Age
43
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$73,149
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$115,961
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.1%
College Graduates
51.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
23.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.8%
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
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
76/ 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.
