Westside Santa Cruz
The Westside is widely considered the most desirable part of Santa Cruz, not just because of the nice homes, but also because of the great coastal views that residents are treated to. You won’t find a better place to watch a sunset, go for a relaxing walk or bike ride along the coast, or just enjoy the calm pace of life that is enjoyed on the Westside.
Many of the notable features of Santa Cruz can be found on the Westside: the Surf Statue, Lighthouse Point and the Surfing Museum, Steamer Lane, West Cliff Drive, and Natural Bridges State Beach. The Westside is also a very dog friendly part of Santa Cruz, as evidenced by Its Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the county to let your dog frolic among the sand and surf.
Santa Cruz’s Westside can be split into two main parts, the upper and lower. The upper Westside is where you’ll find UC Santa Cruz and many hillside homes with a wide, sweeping view of the coast. The lower Westside is both flatter and closer to the water, but few of the homes enjoy the same view as those of the upper Westside.
The Westside is the perfect neighborhood to grab a cup of coffee and go for a morning stroll along the pedestrian path that stretches from the Santa Cruz Wharf to Natural Bridges State Park. If you’re not an early riser, it’s just as enjoyable to grab a burrito or sandwich and enjoy a lunchtime view of the water at one of the many benches and lookouts along West Cliff Drive.
There are a decent number of restaurants, breweries, and grocery stores on the Westside, but almost all of them are found on the lower Westside, with the upper Westside being mainly residential. One of the prime places to grab a drink or a bite to eat is the Swift Street Courtyard, which is home to wineries, breweries, retail stores, and eateries, all within the same area and less than a mile from the beach.
Restaurants
