Santa Cruz Mountains

Welcome to Santa Cruz Mountains, CA


Santa Cruz Mountains FAQ

Question

Answer

Are the Santa Cruz Mountains a good place to live?

Yes. The Santa Cruz Mountains are a popular choice for buyers seeking privacy, natural beauty, and luxury homes surrounded by redwood forests. Residents enjoy a peaceful mountain lifestyle while remaining within commuting distance of Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, and the Peninsula.

What types of homes are available in the Santa Cruz Mountains?

Homebuyers can find luxury mountain estates, custom-built homes, vineyard properties, equestrian estates, cabins, and secluded residences on large wooded lots. Many homes offer panoramic mountain or ocean views.

What is the Santa Cruz Mountains region known for?

The Santa Cruz Mountains are known for ancient redwood forests, world-class wineries, scenic hiking trails, coastal views, and iconic destinations such as Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The region is also home to many luxury rural estates and boutique vineyards.

What towns are in the Santa Cruz Mountains?

Communities throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains include Los Gatos, Saratoga, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton, Scotts Valley, Woodside, La Honda, Loma Mar, and the mountain communities surrounding Skyline Boulevard and Highway 9.

What is the cute town near Santa Cruz?

Capitola is widely considered the cutest town near Santa Cruz, known for its colorful beachfront village, boutique shops, restaurants, and picturesque waterfront. Other popular nearby towns include Felton, Ben Lomond, and Scotts Valley.

Does it ever snow in the Santa Cruz Mountains?

Yes, but snowfall is uncommon. Higher elevations occasionally receive light snow during colder winter storms, although accumulation is usually limited and short-lived.

Were there grizzly bears in the Santa Cruz Mountains?

Yes. California grizzly bears once lived throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains before becoming extinct in the state in the early 1900s due to hunting and habitat loss. Today, black bears occasionally pass through parts of the region, but grizzly bears no longer exist in California.

What is it like to live in the Santa Cruz Mountains?

Living in the Santa Cruz Mountains offers a quieter, nature-focused lifestyle with access to hiking, cycling, wineries, and outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy cooler temperatures than inland communities while remaining close to Silicon Valley and the Pacific Coast.

Are there luxury homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains?

Yes. The region features some of Northern California's most impressive mountain estates, many with gated entrances, private acreage, vineyards, guest houses, and breathtaking views of forests, valleys, or the ocean.

What is the real estate market like in the Santa Cruz Mountains?

The market is relatively limited because of the area's geography and protected open space. Well-maintained homes with privacy, acreage, and scenic views are consistently in demand, particularly among buyers seeking a retreat near Silicon Valley.

How far are the Santa Cruz Mountains from Silicon Valley?

Depending on the community, many areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains are just 20 to 45 minutes from major Silicon Valley employment centers, making the region attractive to professionals seeking a more secluded lifestyle.

Why do luxury homebuyers choose the Santa Cruz Mountains?

Buyers choose the Santa Cruz Mountains for their stunning natural scenery, privacy, custom estates, vineyard properties, outdoor recreation, and convenient access to Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, and the San Francisco Peninsula.

Overview for Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

51,517 people live in Santa Cruz Mountains, where the median age is 39.1 and the average individual income is $66,417. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

51,517

Total Population

39.1 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$66,417

Average individual Income

Around Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

There's plenty to do around Santa Cruz Mountains, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

9
Car-Dependent
Walking Score
22
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score
23
Minimal Transit
Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Brethren CrossFit, Oak Method, and Kathryn Waggoner, Body Lab-Rolfing and Pilates.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Active 2.57 miles 19 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 2.41 miles 17 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 1.3 miles 7 reviews 5/5 stars
Active 2.08 miles 10 reviews 5/5 stars
Beauty 1.35 miles 9 reviews 5/5 stars
Beauty 0.98 miles 11 reviews 5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

Santa Cruz Mountains has 16,512 households, with an average household size of 3.08. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Santa Cruz Mountains do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 51,517 people call Santa Cruz Mountains home. The population density is 429 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

51,517

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

39.1 years

Median Age

49 / 51%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • High School Degree
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Graduate Degree
16,512

Total Households

3.08

Average Household Size

$66,417

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes

Schools in Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Type
Name
Category
Grades
School rating
Santa Cruz Mountains
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