Santa Cruz County
Eastside Santa Cruz
A quieter, more affordable side of Santa Cruz with easy access to beaches, DeLaveaga Park, and good schools. Family-friendly without losing the coastal vibe.
Living in Eastside Santa Cruz
The Eastside of Santa Cruz offers a more affordable entry point into Santa Cruz living while maintaining excellent beach access. This diverse neighborhood features the Santa Cruz Harbor, Twin Lakes Beach, and the vibrant commercial district along Soquel Avenue. It's popular among young professionals and first-time homebuyers.
What We Love
- 01 Santa Cruz Harbor and yacht club
- 02 Twin Lakes State Beach
- 03 More affordable than Westside
- 04 Easy access to Highway 1 South
- 05 Growing restaurant scene on Soquel Ave
Education
Schools in Eastside Santa Cruz
Ratings for every public and private school, from GreatSchools and Niche.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| Branciforte Middle Middle | |
| De Laveaga Elementary Elementary | |
| Harbor High High | |
Private
Niche
| School | Niche grade |
|---|---|
| Gateway School Private · K-8 | |
| Kirby School Private · 6-12 | |
| Holy Cross School Private · PK-8 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from Eastside Santa Cruz to the Bay Area
Rush-hour drive times on Highway 17 to Bay Area tech hubs.
| Employers | Peak drive time |
|---|---|
   Netflix, Adobe, Zoom +5 more Los Gatos to San Jose, Santa Clara | 40-55 min |
   Apple, Amazon, Google +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 45-65 min |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 43m |
24 notable spots
Around Eastside Santa Cruz
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Santa Cruz Harbor .
Beaches
Seabright Beach
0.4 mi, 8-min walk
- Twin Lakes State Beach 0.2 mi
- Cowell Beach 1.2 mi
- Santa Cruz Beach 1 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
Arana Gulch Open Space Park
0.9 mi, 5-min bike ride
- Frederick Street Park 0.6 mi
- Ocean View Park 0.8 mi
- Pogonip Open Space 3.3 mi
Recreation
East Cliff Drive
1.2 mi, 6-min bike ride
- Santa Cruz Yacht Club 0.3 mi
- Santa Cruz Athletic Club 1.3 mi
- Simpkins Family Swim Center 0.8 mi
Grocery & Markets
1.2 mi, 6-min bike ride
- Shopper's Corner 1.2 mi
- Whole Foods 1.3 mi
- Trader Joe's 1.5 mi
Shopping & Dining
0.5 mi, 3-min bike ride
- Verve Coffee Roasters 0.5 mi
- Harbor Café 0.3 mi
- The Buttery 1.2 mi
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Eastside Santa Cruz
- Is the Eastside of Santa Cruz a good investment?
- The Eastside offers strong investment potential with lower entry prices than other Santa Cruz neighborhoods and significant appreciation projected as the area continues to develop.
- What outdoor activities are available on the Eastside?
- The Eastside offers Twin Lakes Beach, the Santa Cruz Harbor for boating and kayaking, Arana Gulch for hiking, and easy access to beach volleyball and surfing.
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Everything we know about Eastside Santa Cruz, organized by what matters to you.
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