---
title: "Live Oak, Santa Cruz County — Neighborhood Guide"
description: "Family-friendly beach access"
url: https://giselesasso.com/neighborhoods/live-oak
lastUpdated: 2026-03-23
dataAsOf: "March 2026"
sources: ["GreatSchools","Redfin","Google Maps"]
---

# Live Oak

> Family-friendly beach access

Live Oak is a diverse community between Santa Cruz and Capitola, stretching from inland family neighborhoods all the way out to Pleasure Point along the coast. The area covers an unusually wide range of prices, from entry-level homes around $650K to multi-million-dollar oceanfront properties. It draws anyone who wants Santa Cruz's full mix of beach and neighborhood life in one zip code, from first-time buyers and young families to surfers and second-home owners.

## Vibe

The sweet spot between Santa Cruz and Capitola. Good schools, reasonable prices, and easy access to everything. Where many young families put down roots.

## Highlights

- Wide range of prices
- Family-friendly neighborhoods
- Close to beaches and shopping
- Mix of housing styles
- Central location

## Market Stats

- **Median Price:** $1,050,000
- **Average Days on Market:** 28
- **Population:** 17,500
- **Median Household Income:** $95,000
- **Owner-Occupied:** 55%
- **ZIP Codes:** 95062
- **Coordinates:** 36.97, -121.975

## Best For

families, tech-workers

## Schools

| School | Type | Grades | Rating | District |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Del Mar Elementary | Elementary | K-5 | 4/10 | Live Oak |
| Green Acres Elementary | Elementary | K-5 | 7/10 | Live Oak |
| Live Oak Elementary | Elementary | K-5 | 4/10 | Live Oak |
| Shoreline Middle | Middle | 6-8 | 6/10 | Live Oak |
| Harbor High | High | 9-12 | 7/10 | Santa Cruz City Schools |
| Twin Lakes Christian School | Private | K-8 | — | Private |
| Kirby School | Private | 6-12 | Niche A+ | Private |

## Peak Commute Times

- **Netflix HQ:** 42 min
- **Adobe HQ:** 48 min
- **Zoom HQ:** 48 min
- **PayPal HQ:** 50 min
- **Broadcom HQ:** 50 min
- **Apple Park:** 55 min
- **Cisco HQ:** 55 min
- **ServiceNow HQ:** 55 min
- **Samsung Semiconductor:** 55 min
- **Amazon Sunnyvale:** 57 min
- **LinkedIn HQ:** 57 min
- **Googleplex:** 1h
- **Meta HQ:** 1h 5m
- **Salesforce Tower:** 1h 22m

## FAQs

**Is Live Oak good for first-time homebuyers?**

It can be. Live Oak's price range is wide. Inland blocks have some of the more accessible entry points in Santa Cruz, while coastal Pleasure Point sits at the high end. First-time buyers tend to find more options in the inland and central pockets, and the area still offers beach access and a central location.

**What amenities are near Live Oak?**

Live Oak is minutes from Capitola Mall, numerous restaurants, Twin Lakes Beach, and both downtown Santa Cruz and Capitola Village.