About this property
Welcome to this sunny and bright pied-à-terre located in a prime Midtown location! So much of what you love about the neighborhood is minutes away on foot: Hindquarter Bar & Grill, Royal Taj, Special Noodle, Kind People's, Shopper's Corner, the Buttery, and so much more! It's also just a hop, skip and a jump from downtown with its cacophony of light and sound, and the thrills of the Boardwalk beckon just a few blocks further. As you step inside, you'll be greeted by the warmth of hardwood floors that flow seamlessly throughout the space. The living area features a cozy fireplace, creating the perfect ambiance for relaxation and gatherings. Natural light floods the home, thanks it's west-facing orientation, and a skylight that brightens up the primary bedroom.
The well-appointed and updated kitchen is small but mighty, complete with modern appliances and ample storage space. Tucked away in the primary suite, you'll find a convenient washer/dryer unit for added convenience.
The primary bedroom also boasts its own private bathroom, while the second bedroom is perfect for guests or a home office.
One of the highlights is the private oversize balcony, ideal for enjoying your morning coffee or hosting a barbecue with friends. The gated and very secure complex also offers a pool, perfect for cooling off during warm California days.
This unit comes with assigned parking, providing ease and security for your vehicles.
With its desirable location and an array of amenities, this home offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the best of Santa Cruz living. Don't miss out on making this your own slice of paradise!
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Midtown Neighborhood of Santa Cruz
Midtown runs along Soquel Avenue east of the San Lorenzo River, roughly from Ocean Street out toward Morrissey Boulevard, and it is the part of Santa Cruz where the everyday business of the city actually happens. Longtime residents often still call it the Eastside, and the Midtown name only came into general use after 2000, when merchants on the avenue started using it to promote their district. Both names are correct depending on who you are talking to and how long they have lived here, and Lookout Santa Cruz has a fun piece on the debate.
Midtown History and the Villa de Branciforte
This side of the river has the oldest civic roots in town. In 1797 the Spanish founded Villa de Branciforte here as a civilian settlement across the river from the mission, and it stayed a separate township until the City of Santa Cruz annexed it in 1905. The state historical landmark marking the center of the old villa sits at the corner of Water and Branciforte Streets, just north of Soquel Avenue, and Branciforte Avenue still carries the name.
Soquel Avenue Shops and Restaurants
The commercial strip is the draw. Shopper’s Corner, the independent grocery that has anchored the corner of Soquel and Branciforte for generations, The Buttery, The Crepe Place and the Rio Theatre are all Santa Cruz institutions rather than recent arrivals. The stretch has a density of useful, everyday businesses, from the surf shop to the optometrist, that the tourist end of town does not, and Home/Work occupies a century old former bank building at Soquel and Cayuga.
Midtown Homes and Streets
Behind the avenue the residential streets are mostly older single family bungalows and cottages on small lots, built as the city grew east in the early and middle twentieth century, mixed with small apartment buildings and the occasional newer infill project. Lots are compact, houses are modest by current standards, and a good share are single story, which is more useful to my clients than square footage. The blocks south of Soquel toward Seabright are mostly flat, while the streets north of the avenue climb toward Prospect Heights and DeLaveaga, so the walk home depends a lot on which side you choose.
Schools, Services and Getting Around
Schools run through Santa Cruz City Schools, which operates the elementary and high school districts jointly, and Branciforte Middle School and Harbor High are both on this side of the river. Attendance boundaries do not follow neighborhood names, so I confirm the assignment for any address.
Dominican Hospital on Soquel Drive is essentially straight out this corridor, which is about as good as hospital access gets in this county. Santa Cruz METRO runs frequent service along Soquel Avenue, and the Highway 17 Express to San Jose leaves from the downtown transit center a short ride away. Highway 1 is close, with the usual caveat that it backs up badly at peak hours near the Highway 17 merge, and Seabright Beach and Twin Lakes are a short drive south.
Is Midtown a Good Fit for Downsizers?
For a lot of people this is one of the better fits in the city. Single story bungalows are common, the flatter blocks near Soquel Avenue let you walk to a grocery store, restaurants and a movie theater, and the bus runs right down the avenue. The trade offs are small lots, older houses that may need updating, and limited condominium inventory, although there are some townhomes and small complexes scattered through the area and more in Downtown Santa Cruz across the river.
The city’s Downtown Senior Center at the London Nelson Community Center on Center Street is about a mile west, and Dominican Hospital is a few minutes east by car. If you are 55 or older and moving from a larger home elsewhere in California, Proposition 19 may let you bring your current property tax base with you, which can make a Midtown bungalow far more affordable to own year to year.
The Midtown Housing Market
Redfin does not track Midtown as its own neighborhood, so it is best judged against the city figure. Redfin’s Santa Cruz data puts the citywide median sale at about $1.35 million for the three months ending September 2026, down a little under one percent from a year earlier, with homes selling in a median of 17 days. Midtown bungalows on small lots generally sit at or below that figure, which combined with the walkability makes this one of the more sensible places in the city to buy if you are thinking about the next twenty years rather than the next five. My guide to living in Santa Cruz covers the rest of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions About Midtown Santa Cruz
What is the median home price in Midtown Santa Cruz?
Redfin does not report Midtown separately, so the city figure is the best benchmark. Santa Cruz as a whole had a median sale price of about $1.35 million for the three months ending September 2026. Midtown bungalows on small lots generally sell at or below that level.
Where is Midtown in Santa Cruz?
Midtown is the stretch of Soquel Avenue east of the San Lorenzo River, roughly from Ocean Street toward Morrissey Boulevard, plus the residential blocks around it. Many longtime locals call the same area the Eastside. It sits between downtown and Seabright.
Is Midtown Santa Cruz walkable?
Yes, the blocks near Soquel Avenue are some of the most walkable residential streets in the city. Shopper’s Corner, restaurants, the Rio Theatre and everyday services are all along the avenue. Streets north of Soquel get hillier as they climb toward Prospect Heights.
What schools serve Midtown?
Midtown is in Santa Cruz City Schools. Branciforte Middle School and Harbor High are both on the east side of the river. Elementary and high school assignment depends on the address, so it is worth confirming for any home.
Is Midtown a good place for retirees?
It is one of the better options in Santa Cruz for people who want to drive less. Single story homes are common, the bus runs along Soquel Avenue, and Dominican Hospital is a few minutes east. Lots are small and many houses are older, so condition matters.
Older bungalows reward preparation more than newer houses do, and knowing which repairs return money and which do not is most of the job for a seller here. That, along with capital gains planning and the Proposition 19 rules that let homeowners 55 and over carry their property tax basis to a new home, is what I handle for older adults and their families. Book a call with me for an honest assessment of your home and your options.
View The AreaHighly likely to recommend
“Seb is more than a realtor, he is an advocate. He has taken the time to deeply understand the specific needs of our aging population and crafts his expertise and advice to really serve his clients well. He understands that real estate is so much more than a mere transaction, it's a part of a much bigger picture that he takes the time to understand and appreciate. The result is the best possible outcomes for the people he serves. He is also one of the most networked and connected people that I know. He has someone in his Rolodex (do they even make these anymore?) that has expertise in any area that you can possibly think of and he is so happy to connect people to the resources that will serve them. If you're looking to sell or buy a home, give Seb a call. If you're wondering if this is a good decision or not, give Seb a call. You'll be glad that you did.”
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“WOW! We have nothing but awesome things to say about Seb. Since we are not from Milpitas, CA, we did a google search for realtors in that area. We’re so glad that Seb called back right away, even though he was at an open house at the time. He took care of our every need without hesitation. When we had our first in person meeting with Seb, we were amazed at how comfortable we felt with him. He also took all the time to answer all our questions in an understandable, relaxed manner. If you are looking for a no ka oi (the best) realtor in the bay area, that is a team player, Seb is the man! In closing: 5 stars is not a high enough rating for Seb. We give him a 10 stars rating!!!!!”
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“Seb jumped in to help us sell our rural / unique property after a bad experience with another agent and helped us SO MUCH! We felt really lost, confused, and worried - and Seb turned the entire experience around. He is the right combo of analytical & creative, and has a very strategic, pragmatic, and honest way of working. I love his enthusiasm and optimism even in a tough market. He takes care of everything for you which relieved so much stress as a seller. If you're looking for someone you can trust to help you navigate this process, Seb is your guy, hands down.”
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“We had a wonderful time working with Seb during the home buying process. He’s an incredible agent and exactly who you want representing you. He’s knowledgeable, determined and made us feel so comfortable throughout the entire process. We appreciated how he always went the extra mile for us, filming video tours of homes when we weren’t immediately available to see them in person. We couldn’t have asked for a better agent. Thank you Seb!”
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“Seb is a wonderful agent! Over the summer we found out that we had to sell my parents' house sooner than expected. Seb jumped in immediately and handled all aspects of the sale during a very busy time in our lives. The house sold in less than 3 weeks and we were very happy with the offer. When we're ready to sell our house, we'll be calling Seb.”
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“Best realtor in California. He's honest, considerate and just a good guy. He knows the market & he knows houses...!!”
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“It was a pleasure working with Seb to sell our condo in downtown San Jose. As first time home sellers, we didn’t know what to expect. Seb talked us through pivotal decisions related to getting the condo ready for market, pricing, waiting for offers, and the negotiations of offers. We appreciated his knowledge, tact, and humor. Further, it felt very much like a concierge service, where we did not have to deal with the minutia and were looped in for critical decisions. Looking forward to connecting again on our next real estate encounter.”
Highly likely to recommend
“Seb exceeded our expectations in both the selling of one property and the purchase of another. He was very focused on what was best for us. He is a modern realtor who is on top of the market, uses technology and local data to help make the best moves and decisions. I was pleasantly surprised about how responsive he was whether by texts, phone calls or emails. My biggest kudo however is how he kept us focused on our goals in our transactions. While it's easy to get distracted by all of the "shiny objects" that are a part of the business, he would steer us back to what we wanted to accomplish...and we did! We couldn't have had a better experience and are very glad to recommend Seb to anyone that wants excellence from a realtor.”
Highly likely to recommend
“Seb is an amazing real estate professional! He is truly passionate and knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the properties, agreements and rules and regulations... Recently, Seb saved me a big trouble with his valuable step-by-step guidance, whereas a real estate lawyer could have made the situation way more complicated and costly. I know many realtors, but Seb is the only one I would 100% trust and rely on.”
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