Opal Cliffs Homes, Capitola area
Search for Opal Cliffs' real estate on the MLS below
Opal Cliffs homes feel like they are part of Capitola, but they are in Live Oak. The Opal Cliffs' area is east of Capitola's downtown region, but is visible from the the wharf. Like most other beach locations Opal Cliffs real estate varies is size and view, but this is the type of lovely view of Capitola some of the bluff homes have. Located on the south end of Santa Cruz, it is one of those gems or hidden treasures known best to locals. And what keeps the area especially guarded is a beach called Privates, named for the key you must purchase to gain access to the beach. It keeps the neighborhood beach and surfing spot the way they like it, private. Opal Cliffs is technically Santa Cruz, but it has the flavor of Capitola and the history more associated with it.
The name, Opal Cliffs, was derived from a train stop and lumber yard named Opal, operated by the Loma Prieta Lumber Company approximately 100 years ago. Above Capitola Village at the end of what is today Prospect Street, the Loma Prieta logging camps in the mountains above Aptos and Soquel brought their lumber to Opal for shipment on the Southern Pacific Railroad to San Francisco. Local entrepreneur and logging baron Frederick Hihn, who build a gorgeous hotel in Capitola, purchased this land and deeded the property surrounding the Opal train stop to grandson Eulice Hihn. When Eulice died in an accident, his widow Kathryn inherited the land. She married J.T. McGeoghegan and they subdivided the land during the real estate boom, after World War I.You will see from the photo on the bottom of the page, not much was added for homes since then, and the beginnnings of the second world war. Capitola used to have an airport where Cliffwood Heights/ Seaview Terrace subdivision is now, near New Brighton Beach. In the summer of 1923, the land became Opal Subdivision 1 of the Fairview Tract, taking the name of the train stop. After Capitola incorporated in 1949, a demand for new homes grew and during the 1950's the Jewel Box was developed and Opal Street was joined by Garnet, Diamond, Jade, Topaz, Crystal and the other "gems" of the Jewel Box.
To see if there are any homes in the Opal Cliffs area of Live Oak, search below.
Start your search at about $800,000 as this is about the starting point. There are usually not very that come up for sale at any given time.
Live Oak MLS Listings and real estate search
| All Listings | $100,000 - $200,000 | $200,000 - $300,000 | $300,000 - $400,000 | $400,000 - $500,000 | $500,000 - $600,000 | $600,000 - $700,000 | $700,000 - $800,000 | $800,000 - $900,000 | Over $1,000,000 |
98 Search Results Found. Showing Results 1 - 5.
MLS# 80952647
MLS# 80953831
MLS# 80946947
MLS# 80946954
MLS# 80946956
Search for Live Oak by Community
| Live Oak | Opal Cliffs | Pleasure Point |
Contact Gregg Camp to get started in Santa Cruz real estate today. Call him at 831-818-7524 for an appointment.Whether you are relocating to Santa Cruz or just looking for a beach home or a house for your UCSC student, family or senior,Gregg can help you find the Santa Cruz home that fits your budget.
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| Photo by Crivelo and Crivelo |
Opal Cliffs in the early 40's
As you come up from Capitola, the main road on the bottom,you will see it go left on Opal Cliffs Drive. Right there is a dirt road that heads towards the ocean. That is where the condominium complexes are at the top of Cliff Drive and Opal Cliffs Drive. If you kept going, the road straightens out and is Portola Drive. What looks like it might have been a main road the, is Nova Drive, I think. The trees at the top left side of the photo is where I think the "hook" surf spot is and would eventually be the end of 41st avenue. I believe the structure at the beginning of Opal Cliffs Drive, that goes through to Portola is still there and is a retirement home.At the top of the picture is Pleasure Point, which was far more developed
To find Opal Cliffs homes for sale, contact us.
See the Santa Cruz County School District map of the school districts in Santa Cruz County that your child may attend. Click on the plus + or minus - buttons to enlarge the map. Before making any decision on buying a home, call the school district to be sure your potential home is in the district you want. As schools face economic problems, some schools may close or the boundaries may have changed. You can contact the Santa Cruz County Office of Education at 831-476-7140 or visit the website of the schools or districts and call the appropriate one.
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