Mission St, Santa Cruz

3.5/5
7.0
36.9697643540962 -122.037166460702
Great for
  • Clean & Green
  • Eating Out
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Nightlife
  • Parking
Not great for
  • Childcare
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Internet Access
  • Medical Facilities
  • Parks & Recreation
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
4/5 rating details
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
Mar 17, 2011

"The start of a great stretch"

Cabrillo Highway, running from Santa Cruz north to Pacifica, is one of the most beautiful, untouched stretches of coastal road in the Bay Area. To be honest, I can't believe that the area hasn't been overdeveloped. Santa Cruz has the unique positioning of having the road start off as a pretty significant commercial/restaurant/nightlife spot, but it quickly turns into the massive, beautiful stretch of coastal highway that continues some 70 miles up toward San Francisco.

Few spots on the California coast have what Cabrillo Highway does - peace and quiet, aqua-blue water, clean, remarkable, large breaks...and stunning views, all within what is arguably the most under-populated spot in the Bay Area. This could easily turn into Malibu Beach meets Silicon Valley, but something has kept it virtually untouched.

Minimal traffic, coastal views, AND sunsets? This has to be one of California's best drives!
Pros
  • Beautifully scenic
  • Good nightlife closer to downtown
  • Good restaurants in the southern part
Cons
  • Crowded closer to the city
  • Expensive
  • Spotty cell phone coverage in places
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Gay & Lesbian
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Beach Lovers
  • Helpful
  • Comment
  • Follow

Best Streets in Santa Cruz

1

Beach St

3.5/5
"Redemption"
36.9643634981273 -122.019664834274

Unranked Streets in Santa Cruz

"Redwood Haven in a Beach Town"
36.9984894746918 -122.0070027438

1st St

2.5/5
"Beach and boardwalk"
36.9645461429868 -122.021519151405

Chestnut St

3.5/5
"Very Nice and Residential"
36.9707577625021 -122.030084224035

Logan St

3.5/5
"Populated, but Beachside"
36.968404572456 -122.010569876653

Broadway

2.5/5
"Central Residential"
36.9737919075726 -122.01730062885

Front St

3.5/5
"Slightly Quieter than nearby Pacific Avenue"
36.9691693936994 -122.023749271947

Hubbard St

2.5/5
"Decent Santa Cruz living"
36.9822640567654 -122.020716562449

Everson Dr

3.5/5
"Great Condo Complex"
36.9653551701228 -122.02900804575
"Can't Beat the Beach"
36.9715592774335 -122.008045718632
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