Santa Cruz, CA
Is Banana Belt / Upper Ocean a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in Santa Cruz, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe48
Medium22
Low62
Other303
22 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape4
Child involved15
Assault2
Other4
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call involves a patient at a hotel near Ocean Street. Fire and medical units responded to the scene with some units substituting for others. The call time was recorded as 2151. | Ocean St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, medical units responded to a medical emergency near Madrone Street at a location referred to as the Wooden House. Truck 61 replaced Engine 61 for the response. | Madrone St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call was dispatched near Cypress Park. Medic 11 was assigned to the location. | Cypress Park, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, deputies requested that Scotts Valley police check for any recent reckless driving reports involving a similar vehicle about ten minutes before a reported crash near Mount Hermon Road and Lockewood Lane in Scotts Valley. Scotts Valley police reported no matching prior calls. | Mt Hermon Rd & Lockewood Ln, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency crews were dispatched to a possible medical issue near Whispering Pines Drive in Scotts Valley. An engine and medic units were assigned to the call. | Whispering Pines Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency crews were sent to a medical facility near Mount Hermon Road in Scotts Valley for a possible stroke patient. | Mt Hermon Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, units were dispatched to a possible overdose near Chestnut Street, with both medical and police response requested. One medical unit was later reported as not needed. | Chestnut St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical emergency call was reported near Grandview Street at Charles Mission Garden Apartments. Medical units responded and confirmed they could handle the situation on arrival, leading to cancellation of the remaining response. | Grandview St f104, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a medical call was reported near Willowbrook Drive for a person who fell in the parking lot of Willowbrook Assisted Living. Rescue units responded to the scene. | Willowbrook Dr, Ben Lomond, CA 95005 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire and medical units were dispatched to a reported vehicle accident near Pine Drive and Elm in Felton, but it was later clarified to be a wires hazard involving a U-Haul truck with no confirmed collision, and the response was reduced to a single engine or rescue unit. | Pine Dr, Felton, CA 95018 | Other Incidents |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$1,339,747
Average Rent
$5,432
Vacancy Rate
3.2%
Nearby neighborhoods
Neighborhood Overview
Banana Belt / Upper Ocean is an urban neighborhood in Santa Cruz, CA, known for its high median home price of $1,339,747 and average rent of $5,432.
It has a strong college presence with 10.9% of residents attending college, and a notable bike commuting rate of 2.6%, among the highest nationally.
UrbanHigh RentCollege FocusedBike Friendly
Quick Facts
| College Enrollment | 10.9% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
The neighborhood features a mix of small to medium single-family homes and apartments, mostly built between 1940 and 1969.
| Vacancy Rate | 3.2% |
|---|---|
| Housing Age | Many homes built 1940-1969 |
| Owner vs Renter Mix | Mixed ownership and rental |
What buyers will notice right away
Most residences are older, well-established homes built before 1970.
Vacancy rate is low, indicating steady demand.
Families & Lifestyle
This neighborhood is popular among college students and urban sophisticates, offering amenities suited to these groups.
Strong college presence supports vibrant community life.
Bike-friendly commute options enhance lifestyle.
College Friendly — Ranks higher than 88.6% of California neighborhoods for college student living.
Urban Sophisticates — Appeals to residents seeking an urban lifestyle with diverse amenities.
| College Enrollment | 10.9% |
|---|
Demographics
| Executive/Professional Occupations | 56.1% |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 19.5% |
| English Speakers | 75.2% |
| Spanish, Italian, Arabic Speakers | Significant minorities |
| Armenian Ancestry | 0.8% |
| Greek Language Speakers | 1.1% |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% |
Commute
Most residents have short commutes, with nearly half spending under 15 minutes traveling to work.
Banana Belt / Upper Ocean offers some of the shortest commutes and highest bike commuting rates nationally.
Short Commutes — Nearly half of residents commute under 15 minutes.
Bike Friendly — Bike commuting rate is among the top 5% nationally.
| Drive Alone Rate | 64.5% |
|---|---|
| Carpool Rate | 8.9% |
| Bike Commute Rate | 2.6% |
| Short Commute (<15 min) | 49.2% |
Homes for sale near 95060
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price?
The median home price is $1,339,747.
How common is bike commuting?
2.6% of residents bike to work, higher than 95% of U.S. neighborhoods.