Santa Cruz County
Soquel
A quiet village tucked between the coast and the hills. Historic downtown, excellent schools, and a more rural feel while still being minutes from everything.
Living in Soquel
Soquel is a hidden gem offering a blend of rural charm and suburban convenience. The historic Soquel Village features antique shops, local eateries, and a strong community feel. The area is known for its larger lots, horse properties, and proximity to wineries while maintaining easy access to beaches and Highway 1.
What We Love
- 01 Historic Soquel Village
- 02 Larger lots and horse properties
- 03 Local wineries and tasting rooms
- 04 Strong community atmosphere
- 05 Easy access to Capitola and Aptos
Education
Schools in Soquel
Ratings for every public and private school, from GreatSchools and Niche.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| Soquel High High | |
| Main Street Elementary Elementary | |
| Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Elementary | |
| New Brighton Middle Middle | |
| Soquel Elementary Elementary | |
Private
Niche
| School | Niche grade |
|---|---|
| Merit Academy Private · 9-12 | |
| Tara Redwood School Private · K-6 | |
| Twin Lakes Christian School Private · K-8 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from Soquel 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 | 40-55 min |
| Apple, Amazon, LinkedIn +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 45-65 min |
| Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 42m |
24 notable spots
Around Soquel
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from HOME .
Beaches
Capitola Beach
1.3 mi, 7-min bike ride
- New Brighton State Beach 1.2 mi
- Twin Lakes State Beach 3 mi
- Rio Del Mar Beach 3.6 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
4.6 mi, 11-min drive
- Anna Jean Cummings Park 0.4 mi
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 7 mi
- Wilder Ranch State Park 7.4 mi
Recreation
East Cliff Drive
2.4 mi, 12-min bike ride
- Pasatiempo Golf Club 4 mi
- Capitola Yoga 1.1 mi
- Jade Street Park & Community Center 1.4 mi
Grocery & Markets
4.1 mi, 10-min drive
- Trader Joe's 1.2 mi
- Whole Foods 3.4 mi
- Nob Hill Foods 0.6 mi
Shopping & Dining
0.5 mi, 3-min bike ride
- Pretty Good Advice 0.1 mi
- Café Cruz 0.6 mi
- Silver Spur 1 mi
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Soquel
- What type of properties are available in Soquel?
- Soquel offers diverse properties from cozy cottages to large estates on acreage. It's particularly popular for those seeking horse properties, larger lots, or a more rural feel while remaining close to beaches.
- Is Soquel close to the beach?
- Yes, Soquel is just 5-10 minutes from Capitola Beach and New Brighton State Beach, offering the best of both worlds - rural living with easy beach access.
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Everything we know about Soquel, organized by what matters to you.
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