“You Didn’t Show Everything” — A More Honest Look at Prospect Heights

After I posted my video on Prospect Heights, someone commented, “Nope. You didn’t show everything.”

And honestly… that’s fair.

A short video can only capture so much, and Prospect Heights is one of those neighborhoods that doesn’t fully translate unless you actually spend time in it. So I wanted to slow this down a bit and talk through what it really feels like, beyond what you can see in a quick video.

One of the things that stands out right away is how easy it is to get in and out of the neighborhood. You’ve got quick access to Highway 1, and if you live here long enough, you start to notice the rhythm of traffic. During commute hours, things tend to slow just south of the Morrissey exit, which means you can usually exit before it comes to a complete stop. It’s a small detail, but it could make a difference in your day-to-day.

What’s especially unique is how connected the neighborhood is to De Laveaga Park. There’s a trailhead at the end of Park Way that leads you either straight up the golf course, or you can chose another trail that can also lead to the golf course.  Golf isn’t the only activity at the park. It’s also a it’s frisbee golf course, an archery range, and offers miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. There’s even a restaurant at the city-run golf course. It’s one of the few places in Santa Cruz where you have all of that right there without having to drive somewhere else first. Imagine, waking up going and going for a hike, then stopping for breakfast before hiking back home!

And then there’s the part that’s harder to capture on camera: the community itself.

The local elementary school brings in a lot of families, so you’ll see kids riding bikes and playing on the sidewalks. People are out walking their dogs throughout the day. There are little free libraries in front yards, and every once in a while you’ll see neighbors putting out extra homegrown fruit or vegetables to share.

It has that kind of neighborhood feel where people are actually outside and interacting. Prospect Heights even had its first Halloween pet parade, which tells you a lot about the community energy here.

That original comment stuck with me, because it was a good reminder that no single video is going to show everything. Real estate, especially in Santa Cruz, is always more nuanced than that.

If you’re thinking about Prospect Heights, or just trying to understand how it compares to other neighborhoods nearby, I’m always happy to walk you through it in a way that actually makes sense for your lifestyle.

Call or text me anytime at 831-331-5977.