Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz, Ca 95062, an interesting surf community in Live Oak
If surfing is your passion, then the Pleasure Point area of Santa Cruz, California is the place to be! Located in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz County, Pleasure Point is a stretch of land that extends roughly from 26th Ave to 41st Ave, bordered by the ocean on one side and Portola Drive on the east. Pleasure Point is between the incorporated cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola. Pleasure Point derives its name not only from the pleasure of the waves, but also from a splendid and fascinating past. Now, Pleasure Point is a mix of funky surf pads, and incredible 2-3 million dollar homes, however, it was a long and winding road to get where Pleasure Point is today.
Though the real estate in the area varies from small two thousand square foot lots to more normal five thousand foot ones, the homes vary in size from cottages to larger newer homes. Pleasure Point's past includes the pioneers of surfing, such as Fred Van Dyke and the inventor of the wetsuit, Jack O'Neill. There is also the history of prohibition and the speakeasys from which Pleasure Point derived its name. When you look on a map, it is called Soquel Point as that was the point nearest the largest town of the time, Soquel. Many large ship plied the waters nearby, carrying lots of timber and agricultural products. Much of the point at one time was planted in artichokes.
After the Mexican American War (the treaty was signed in 1848) immigration to the area stepped up. Now, Europeans and Americans were purchasing land. The Californio's as they were called, created a culture of cattle and farms that roamed the large ranches (or Ranchos). After this, a steady stream of important Americans and Europeans came to settle different areas of the land. Some fascinating facts: In 1867, the narrow gauge railroad was built, from Santa Cruz to Watsonville. You can still see some piers in the sand at low tide on Twin Lakes beach and a few other places. In 1907 a 15 mile, 75-100 feet wide speedway for cars, from Santa Cruz to Capitola was proposed. It never was that wide, but is now know as East Cliff Drive.
Advertised in 1921 in Breakers Bonanza Beach: "Lots $5 down, $5 a month for 75-90 feet. Free beach 2,000 feet long, free water, and free camping". Another significant tidbit: birds flew into homes in Capitola and Pleasure Point, which Hitchcock in turn used to make the movie "The Birds". In 1920 there was a group of volunteer firefighters named the Pleasure Point Night Fighters (PPNF) that was formed to protect the Point from fires and uncontrollable crowds due to Prohibition from 1913–1933. During this time, rum runners were dropping off their contraband on the beach. Some years after all that, surfing was born.
Jack O'Neill patented the name "Surf Shop" in San Francisco in 1952. Then, Jack moved to Santa Cruz in 1959, and later to 41st Ave near Pleasure Point. The corporate headquarters are still there, but Jack is mostly retired. The beach where Jack lived became a surfing access as well as a spot for gatherings.
The PPNF was re-formeded in the 1950's, faded out and had a more beneficial function in the 70's. As surfing contests between Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point amplified, the Pleasure Point Surfing Association was fashioned. In the 1970's PPNF shaped "Pack Your Trash Day" which was one of the first beach cleanups in reaction to visitors who did not respect the environment. This is a national phenomenon now and people work to keep beach areas clean.
For some people, when the sidewalk was placed in 2001 on lower 30th, some felt this was the beginning of the end of the surf community. While the area has always been low on the county's list of project to spend money on, it slowly got sewers and gutters and in a few places, sidewalks. As the area slowly grew and people's growing families needed larger dwellings, some of the beach cottages were replaced with larger conventional homes. While many still vacation here from the Central Valley in their older beach cottages, there is starting to be a nice mix of nicely designed larger homes that are used full time.
Even with all the changes, surfing contests still abound and life is laid back. Although a younger demographic of people tend to reside in Pleasure Point, it is a residential community for all. With the mix of smaller homes and upscale homes, there is a little something for everyone. With much of the ocean within 4 blocks walk, you can find smaller homes in the $700,000, to ocean view homes or ones fronting the water for 2-4 million. The clean fresh air and a few smaller beaches make this a great place to raise a family.
David Lyng Real Estate
