Santa Cruz County
La Selva Beach
Secluded coastal living at the southern edge of the county. Quiet, private, and surrounded by nature. A hidden gem for those who want space and serenity.
Living in La Selva Beach
La Selva Beach is a small, secluded coastal community between Aptos and Watsonville, known for its quiet residential streets and private beach access. The neighborhood has a hidden-gem quality, with homes ranging from modest beach cottages to custom oceanview properties. Residents appreciate the privacy, the slower pace, and the feeling of being tucked away from the busier parts of the county.
What We Love
- 01 Private, secluded beach community
- 02 Quiet residential streets
- 03 Beach access with fewer crowds
- 04 Between Aptos and Watsonville
- 05 Strong sense of community
Education
Schools in La Selva Beach
Ratings for every public and private school, from GreatSchools and Niche.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| Aptos High High | |
| Mar Vista Elementary Elementary · K-6 | |
| Aptos Junior High Middle · 7-8 | |
Private
Niche
| School | Niche grade |
|---|---|
| Monterey Bay Academy Private · 9-12 | |
| Monte Vista Christian School Private · 4-12 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from La Selva Beach to the Bay Area
Rush-hour drive times on Highway 17 to Bay Area tech hubs.
| Employers | Peak drive time |
|---|---|
   Netflix, Zoom, Adobe +5 more Los Gatos to San Jose, Santa Clara | 50-70 min |
   Apple, Amazon, LinkedIn +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 1h-1h 15m |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 51m |
24 notable spots
Around La Selva Beach
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Manresa State Beach .
Beaches
2.3 mi, 12-min bike ride
- Rio Del Mar Beach 2.9 mi
- Sunset State Beach 3.6 mi
- Seacliff State Beach 3.9 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
7.1 mi, 17-min drive
- Seascape County Park 1.2 mi
- Polo Grounds County Park 3.5 mi
- Aptos Village County Park 3.9 mi
Recreation
3.9 mi, 9-min drive
- Joy of Movement Pilates and Gyrotonic Studio 3.8 mi
- Club Pilates 4 mi
- Capitola Yoga 5.4 mi
Grocery & Markets
Seascape Foods Market and Deli
1.6 mi, 8-min bike ride
- Deluxe Foods of Aptos 3.3 mi
- Nob Hill Foods 4.6 mi
- Whole Foods 9 mi
Shopping & Dining
3.4 mi, 8-min drive
- Parish Publick House Aptos 3.8 mi
- Manuel's Mexican Restaurant 4 mi
- Pixie Deli and Good Eats 3.4 mi
Common Questions
What buyers ask about La Selva Beach
- Is La Selva Beach a gated community?
- La Selva Beach is not gated, but it has a secluded, private feel due to its location off the main highway and limited through-traffic. The beach access points are managed by the community.
- How far is La Selva Beach from Santa Cruz?
- La Selva Beach is about 15 miles south of downtown Santa Cruz, roughly a 20 minute drive via Highway 1. It sits between Aptos and Watsonville.
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