Santa Cruz’s Quiet Neighborhoods for a Summer Getaway
In the summertime, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach buzzes with swarms of day-trippers, screaming roller coasters, and the scent of funnel cakes wafting through the air. A few miles down the road, charming Capitola Village brims with vacationers and beach umbrellas lined elbow-to-elbow. But between these two hot spots lies a quieter coastal pocket where locals retreat—and where in-the-know travelers can experience a more authentic slice of Santa Cruz life.
Tucked between the Boardwalk and Capitola, the residential neighborhoods of Pleasure Point and Live Oak offer a low-key alternative to the summer bustle. It’s a part of town where surfboards outnumber selfie sticks, and where the beaches still feel like uncrowded secrets.
Pleasure Point is steeped in surf culture. This was the longtime home of Jack O’Neill, the legendary surfer and wetsuit pioneer whose legacy still ripples across the ocean. East Cliff Drive winds atop the cliffs overlooking Pleasure Point’s surf breaks. A walking path along the cliffs provides a great perch for watching local surfers paddle out and catch waves. The laid-back neighborhood blends beachy ease with a hip, coastal sensibility. A cozy cluster of small businesses anchors the scene, where Verve Coffee Roasters brews up a perfect cup and The Penny Ice Creamery serves inventive, locally sourced flavors just steps from surf shops and casual eateries.
In nearby Live Oak, the local flavor continues. A neighborhood favorite, Lago di Como, serves wood-fired pizzas and Italian riffs on fresh seafood in an intimate setting. Just down the street, Bottega del Como offers gourmet provisions for a picnic at the beach. On Sunday mornings, the Live Oak Farmers Market draws a laid-back crowd of residents shopping for fresh produce and artisanal goods under a canopy of eucalyptus.
Where to Stay
Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages
Tucked into the quiet Live Oak neighborhood just 100 steps from Sunny Cove Beach, Ocean Echo Inn & Beach Cottages has drawn generations of families with its unpretentious, laid-back appeal. It’s the kind of place where you can let the kids safely wander down to the beach, prepare a simple alfresco dinner on the barbecue grill, and fall asleep to the sound of the waves.
The inn’s collection of historic cottages and guest rooms feature updated kitchens and baths and contemporary coastal-inspired décor. The cottages are ideal for families with kids, and some are also pet-friendly. Stays include a complimentary continental breakfast served each morning. The inn also offers beach toys and beach towels for building sandcastles and relaxing on the sand. Afterward, you can rinse off in the outdoor shower and play a game of ping pong before dinner. In the evening, take a bonfire package down to the beach to build a fire and roast s’mores at sunset.
The inn’s location is just steps from Sunny Cove Beach, which is a small, picturesque cove flanked by cliffs. It’s an idyllic spot for quiet morning strolls and uncrowded surf sessions. One of Santa Cruz’s best-kept secrets, you’ll feel as if you’ve discovered a hidden oasis.
Bella Notte Inn
The Italian-inspired Bella Notte Inn is a gem of a boutique hotel located just two blocks from the beach in Santa Cruz’s Live Oak neighborhood. The hotel was built from the ground up by a local Santa Cruz family in 2007 whose vision was to create a relaxing home-away-from-home far from the crowds.
The intimate hotel offers just eight spacious guest rooms with luxurious amenities, including fine linens, plush robes, and heated bathroom floors. All the rooms feature custom wet bars topped with imported marble and equipped with mini-refrigerators, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Complimentary snacks and drinks are also included.
One of the hotel’s unexpected highlights is its full-service on-site spa, which is popular with visitors and locals alike. Opal Spa & Boutique is a cozy, calming refuge where you can indulge in massage treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more.
Outdoor seating nooks on the hotel’s upper balcony and nestled amid the small but well-tended gardens are delightful spaces to sip coffee while watching the neighborhood wake up. Just two blocks away, you can enjoy a morning stroll in solitude at Blacks Beach. On Wednesday nights, hang out on the sand to catch the weekly sailboat races or just watch the sunset any night of the week.
