Tucked away from Vine Hill Road in the Happy Valley School District, this Santa Cruz retreat feels like a private world of its own. Set on 3.5+ park-like acres with gardens, winding paths, towering redwoods, and a seasonal creek with sandy beach area, the property offers privacy, natural beauty, and architectural character just minutes from town. The custom home brings the outdoors in, with dramatic windows, multiple decks, and serene views of the gardens and forest. A two-story atrium creates a striking first impression, while the generous floor plan offers space to gather, relax, work from home, or enjoy the peaceful setting. Distinctive living areas, including a sunroom, lounge spaces, and an upstairs wing, give the home flexibility and personality rarely found in a typical Santa Cruz property. The grounds are a true highlight, with lush landscapes, quiet corners, and open areas that feel like a private botanical retreat. Close to DeLaveaga Park trails, downtown Santa Cruz, beaches, commute routes, and everyday conveniences, this home offers the best of Happy Valley living: privacy, space, nature, and access to everything that makes Santa Cruz special. A rare opportunity to own a magical creekside property with room to breathe, explore, and create your own private sanctuary.
For sale
$1,700,000
450 Vine Hill Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
5beds
2,342sqft
Single Family Residence, Residential
Built in 1979
3.55 Acres Lot
$1,654,400 Zestimate®
$726/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Magical creekside propertyTowering redwoodsLush landscapesTwo-story atriumQuiet cornersWinding pathsUpstairs wing
- 43 days |
- 976 |
- 79 |
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
Seb Frey 01369847 408-596-1623,
Compass 408-358-1111
Source: MLSListings Inc,MLS#: ML82046835
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Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 5
- Bathrooms: 3
- Full bathrooms: 2
- 1/2 bathrooms: 1
Rooms
- Room types: Laundry, Office
Bedroom
- Features: GroundFloorBedroom, PrimarySuiteRetreat, PrimaryBedroomonGroundFloor, BedroomonGroundFloor2plus
Bathroom
- Features: PrimaryStallShowers, ShoweroverTub1, SolidSurface, Stone, Tile, UpdatedBaths, FullonGroundFloor, PrimaryOversizedTub, HalfonGroundFloor
Dining room
- Features: BreakfastRoom, FormalDiningRoom
Family room
- Features: SeparateFamilyRoom
Kitchen
- Features: ExhaustFan, Pantry
Heating
- Central Forced Air Gas, Propane
Cooling
- None
Appliances
- Included: Gas Cooktop, Dishwasher, Exhaust Fan, Disposal, Range Hood, Built In Oven, Double Oven, Refrigerator, Water Softener
- Laundry: Gas Dryer Hookup, Inside, In Utility Room
Features
- One Or More Skylights, Open Beam Ceiling
- Flooring: Carpet, Laminate
- Number of fireplaces: 1
- Fireplace features: Living Room, Wood Burning
Interior area
- Total structure area: 2,342
- Total interior livable area: 2,342 sqft
Video & virtual tour
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 4
- Parking features: Attached, Guest, Lighted, Off Street, Parking Area
- Attached garage spaces: 3
Features
- Stories: 2
- Patio & porch: Balcony/Patio, Deck
- Exterior features: Back Yard, Barbecue
- Fencing: Partial,Wood
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Forest/Woods
Lot
- Size: 3.55 Acres
- Features: Farm Animals Permitted, Grade Varies
Details
- Parcel number: 10005148000
- Zoning: A
- Special conditions: Standard
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Custom
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence, Residential
Materials
- Foundation: Concrete Perimeter and Slab
- Roof: Composition
Condition
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1979
Utilities & green energy
- Gas: PropaneOnSite, PublicUtilities
- Sewer: Septic Tank
- Water: Shared Well
- Utilities for property: Propane, Public Utilities
Community & HOA
Location
- Region: Santa Cruz
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $726/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $1,685,000
- Annual tax amount: $18,846
- Date on market: 5/13/2026
- Listing agreement: ExclusiveRightToSell
- Listing terms: CashorConventionalLoan
Estimated market value
$1,654,400
$1.57M - $1.74M
$7,734/mo
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 6/25/2026 | Listed for sale | $1,700,000$726/sqft |
Source:  MLSListings Inc #ML82046835 Report a problem | ||
| 6/19/2026 | Contingent | $1,700,000$726/sqft |
Source: MLSListings Inc #ML82046835 Report a problem | ||
| 5/14/2026 | Listed for sale | $1,700,000-10.5%$726/sqft |
Source: MLSListings Inc #ML82046835 Report a problem | ||
| 5/17/2022 | Sold | $1,900,000+18.8%$811/sqft |
Source: eXp Realty #115772460 Report a problem | ||
| 4/9/2022 | Listed for sale | $1,600,000+91.6%$683/sqft |
Source:  MLSListings Inc #ML81886179 Report a problem | ||
| 10/20/2015 | Sold | $835,000-3.5%$357/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 9/20/2015 | Pending sale | $865,000$369/sqft |
Source: Unique Homes & Land #ML81513217 Report a problem | ||
| 9/5/2015 | Listed for sale | $865,000$369/sqft |
Source: Unique Homes & Land #ML81513217 Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,846 -4.8% | $1,685,000 -14.8% |
| 2024 | $19,788 -6.9% | $1,976,760 +2% |
| 2023 | $21,260 +99.2% | $1,938,000 +108.1% |
| 2022 | $10,670 +3.3% | $931,458 +2% |
| 2021 | $10,326 +0.8% | $913,194 +1% |
| 2020 | $10,244 +2.1% | $903,830 +2% |
| 2019 | $10,032 +1.5% | $886,108 +2% |
| 2018 | $9,879 +204.2% | $868,734 +242.8% |
| 2017 | $3,247 +6.5% | $253,387 +2% |
| 2016 | $3,049 +5.1% | $248,419 +1.5% |
| 2015 | $2,901 +1.7% | $244,688 +2% |
| 2014 | $2,854 | $239,895 +2.5% |
| 2012 | -- | $234,128 +2% |
| 2011 | -- | $229,537 +0.8% |
| 2010 | -- | $227,821 -0.2% |
| 2009 | -- | $228,362 +2% |
| 2008 | -- | $223,884 +2% |
| 2007 | -- | $219,494 +2% |
| 2006 | -- | $215,190 +2% |
| 2005 | -- | $210,971 +2% |
| 2004 | -- | $206,834 +1.9% |
| 2003 | -- | $203,043 +2% |
| 2002 | -- | $199,062 +2% |
| 2001 | -- | $195,159 +2% |
| 2000 | -- | $191,332 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Monthly payment
Est. payment$--/mo
Payment breakdown
Explore the cost of this home by adjusting the details. Changes won't be saved.All calculations are estimates and provided by Zillow, Inc. for informational purposes only. Actual amounts may vary.
HOA fees may include property taxes on listings classified as Co-Ops. Contact the listing agent and/or owner for fee details.
Mortgage interest rates are dependent on a number of factors, including credit score, down payment, and repayment length. Interest rate data provided by Zillow Group Marketplace, Inc. as of 1/1/1970 from various mortgage lenders with which we have lead or other similar arrangements; the Estimated Payment is an average of those rates.
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Climate risks
Neighborhood: 95065
Nearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 8/10Happy Valley Elementary SchoolGrades: K-6Distance: 2.5 mi
- 9/10Branciforte Middle SchoolGrades: 6-8Distance: 5.4 mi
- 7/10Harbor High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 5.1 mi
Schools provided by the listing agent
- District: HappyValleyElementary
Source: MLSListings Inc. This data may not be complete. We recommend contacting the local school district to confirm school assignments for this home.
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- California
- Santa Cruz County
- Santa Cruz
- 95065
- 450 Vine Hill Rd
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