Santa Cruz County
Westside Santa Cruz
Surf culture meets university town. West Cliff Drive, Steamer Lane, and Wilder Ranch are in your backyard. Laid-back, outdoorsy, and unapologetically Santa Cruz.
Living in Westside Santa Cruz
The Westside of Santa Cruz is known for its stunning ocean views, proximity to Natural Bridges State Beach, and laid-back surf culture. This neighborhood features a mix of mid-century homes, modern builds, and charming cottages. It's popular among families and professionals who want easy beach access while staying close to restaurants and the university.
What We Love
- 01 Natural Bridges State Beach
- 02 Lighthouse Field and West Cliff Drive
- 03 Strong sense of community
- 04 Excellent elementary schools
- 05 Direct access to Highway 1 North
Education
Schools in Westside Santa Cruz
Ratings for every public and private school, from GreatSchools and Niche.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz High High | |
| Mission Hill Middle Middle | |
| Westlake Elementary Elementary | |
| Bay View Elementary Elementary | |
Private
Niche
| School | Niche grade |
|---|---|
| Gateway School Private · K-8 | |
| Holy Cross School Private · PK-8 | |
| Santa Cruz Waldorf School Private · PK-8 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from Westside 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 | 40-60 min |
   Apple, Amazon, LinkedIn +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 50-70 min |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 45m |
24 notable spots
Around Westside Santa Cruz
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Natural Bridges State Beach .
Beaches
2.1 mi, 11-min bike ride
- Its Beach 1.6 mi
- Lighthouse Field State Beach 1.6 mi
- Four Mile Beach 3.8 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
1.6 mi, 8-min bike ride
- Pogonip Open Space 3.3 mi
- Moore Creek Preserve 1.6 mi
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 6.2 mi
Recreation
West Cliff Drive
1.3 mi, 7-min bike ride
- Harvey West Park 2.5 mi
- Pasatiempo Golf Club 4.1 mi
- DeLaveaga Park & Golf Course 4.5 mi
Grocery & Markets
0.9 mi, 5-min bike ride
- Safeway 1 mi
- Trader Joe's 2.5 mi
- Whole Foods 3.1 mi
Shopping & Dining
0.8 mi, 4-min bike ride
- Bantam 0.9 mi
- Manresa Bread 0.8 mi
- Cat & Cloud Coffee 0.7 mi
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Westside Santa Cruz
- What makes Westside Santa Cruz special?
- Westside Santa Cruz offers a unique combination of spectacular coastal scenery, excellent schools, and a tight-knit community feel. The iconic West Cliff Drive provides stunning sunset views and world-class surfing spots.
- Are there good schools on the Westside?
- Yes, the Westside has highly-rated elementary schools, with Westlake Elementary among the stronger options in the district. Many families choose this area specifically for the school quality.
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Everything we know about Westside Santa Cruz, organized by what matters to you.
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