Santa Cruz County
Midtown
Central and connected. One of Santa Cruz's most livable pockets, often called Midtown or Seabright depending on the block. Close to the beach, the harbor, downtown, and the eastside.
Living in Midtown
Midtown is one of Santa Cruz's most livable pockets, anchored along Soquel Avenue between the San Lorenzo River and Live Oak. Locals often call this area Midtown or Seabright depending on the block, and many homes are referred to as both. Close to the beach, the harbor, downtown, and everyday conveniences, the area combines laid-back coastal living with a strong residential feel. You'll find tree-lined streets, classic bungalows, local coffee shops, and a mix of longtime residents, young families, and professionals who love being close to everything without sitting in the middle of the tourist activity. Seabright leans a little more beachy and relaxed; Midtown feels central, practical, and connected.
What We Love
- 01 Great walkability and local shops
- 02 Walk to Seabright Beach and the harbor
- 03 Classic bungalows and Craftsman homes
- 04 Bikeable to downtown and the eastside
- 05 Central, between downtown and Live Oak
Education
Schools in Midtown
Ratings for every public and private school, from GreatSchools and Niche.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz High High | |
| Branciforte Middle Middle | |
| Mission Hill Middle Middle | |
| Westlake Elementary Elementary | |
| 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 | |
| Santa Cruz Waldorf School Private · PK-8 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from Midtown 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 | 35-55 min |
   Apple, Amazon, Google +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 40-60 min |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 35m |
24 notable spots
Around Midtown
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Seabright Deli .
Beaches
Seabright Beach
0.3 mi, 6-min walk
- Twin Lakes State Beach 0.6 mi
- Cowell Beach 0.9 mi
- Santa Cruz Beach 0.6 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
Arana Gulch
0.8 mi, 4-min bike ride
- Ocean View Park 0.4 mi
- Pogonip Open Space 2.9 mi
- Anna Jean Cummings Park 3.3 mi
Recreation
0.5 mi, 3-min bike ride
- East Cliff Drive 1.7 mi
- Santa Cruz Yacht Club 0.2 mi
- West Cliff Drive 1.8 mi
Grocery & Markets
1 mi, 5-min bike ride
- Shopper's Corner 0.8 mi
- Whole Foods 0.9 mi
- Trader Joe's 1.1 mi
Shopping & Dining
0.8 mi, 4-min bike ride
- Akira Sushi 0.9 mi
- Charlie Hong Kong 0.9 mi
- Linda’s Seabreeze Café 0.1 mi
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Midtown
- Where is Midtown in Santa Cruz, and how does it relate to Seabright?
- Midtown covers the area between the San Lorenzo River and Live Oak, anchored along Soquel Avenue. The beach-side pocket closer to the Santa Cruz Harbor is also called Seabright, and many homes sit in both areas depending on who you ask. Locals use the names interchangeably, and most homes here are referred to as both.
- Is Midtown walkable?
- Yes, especially around Seabright Avenue and Soquel Avenue. You can walk or bike to Seabright Beach, the Santa Cruz Harbor, local coffee shops, and neighborhood restaurants like Seabright Deli, The Buttery, Akira Sushi, and Charlie Hong Kong.
- How close is Midtown to the beach?
- Most homes in the Seabright side of Midtown are within a 5 to 15 minute walk of Seabright Beach or Twin Lakes State Beach. Homes further inland on the Midtown side are a short bike ride away.
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