(video) The Seabright Neighborhood of Santa Cruz itself is an attraction woth viewing

There is a lot to do within walking distance of any house.

Seabright beach is sheltered from the prevailing wind and fog you routinely get in San Francisco and Monterey. Our summer temperature, generally in the 70s, is perfect for those folks escaping hot and humid summer weather elsewhere yet don't want to be in the cold and wind that is common to many other areas of the coast north of Santa Barbara.

Seabright Neighborhood
The Seabright Neighborhood itself is an attraction. This is a unique place to enjoy walks or bike rides. The "Point" is a wall of limestone between the San Lorenzo river and Seabright Beach. Walk out to the end and you'll see a beautiful view of the Boardwalk, Seabright Beach, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the mountains and the two lighthouses here in Santa Cruz. Walk the beach or along the cliff all the way to the harbor. You won't find any "track" houses in this neighborhood. Enjoy the little historic beach cottages with many small but spectacular flower gardens.

First of all you have one of the best beaches in California right outside your doorsteps. Seabright Beach is sometimes called "Castle Beach" by local old timers. The Scholl-Mar Castle occupied what is now the main entrance area to the beach from 1928-1967. Seabright beach is a great family beach. You can swim, bodysurf, beach comb and picnic on the beach. Volleyball courts on the sand

are available, Lifeguards are stationed on Seabright Beach during the peak summer season. At night beach fires are allowed. It's so much fun walking the 1/2 mile beach from the San Lorenzo River mouth to the Harbor Walton lighthouse.

Directions from Downtown Santa Cruz:

East on Soquel Avenue for 1 mile. Right on Seabright Avenue for 1 more mile. Right on East Cliff for 100 yards.

On the east side of Santa Cruz lies beautiful Seabright State Beach. To reach there from downtown Santa Cruz head east on Soquel Avenue (just over 1 mile) and turn right on

Seabright Avenue. One block from the water turn right on East Cliff Drive and Seabright Beach is on your left.

On your way out of downtown, stop in at The Buttery, one of the best bakeries in town, on the corner of Soquel and Branciforte Drive (5/8 mile from downtown). Try the excellent

sandwiches or black bottom cupcakes. One of our favorite things to do there is order a fresh squeezed orange juice and watch them make it with the cool Zumex machine from Spain. Also at this intersection is Shopper's Corner, the oldest family run grocery in Santa Cruz. Locals shop here for excellent wines, produce and the busy butcher shop at the back of the store.