222 Highview Drive, Santa Cruz, California 95060, Santa Cruz, 95060 - 2 bed, 1 bath

222 Highview Drive
Santa Cruz, California 95060
Property Price
SUMMARY
Analysis of 222 Highview Drive, Santa Cruz, California 95060 is currently available with a list price of $2,485,000. The property maintains a Excellent Condition Rating (95/100), indicating excellent structural integrity and modern finishes throughout. This turnkey property requires minimal updates and is ready for immediate occupancy. Located in a high-demand neighborhood within the Santa Cruz Unified School District, this asset is categorized as a low-risk, high-reward acquisition suitable for both Buy-and-Hold Investors and Owner-Occupants willing to undertake light renovation work.
Condition Analysis
OVERALL CONDITION SCORE
Property is new construction or fully renovated.
The existing cottage has undergone a comprehensive recent remodel, featuring modern interior finishes, updated flooring, and a contemporary kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The bathroom is fully modernized with current fixtures and tiling, and the overall structure shows no signs of deferred maintenance, making it move-in ready as a high-quality ADU or guest house.
PROSSTRENGTHS & OPPORTUNITIES
- High Available Lot Utilization
The property has a large lot size, which is more than 4 times of its living area. lot size in square feet = 48352, living area = 621.
- Significant Development Potential
The acre-plus level lot comes with a septic system already sized for a four-bedroom residence, providing a turnkey foundation for building a large custom estate while retaining the existing cottage as a legal ADU.
- Elite Location and Privacy
Situated at the end of a private road on Santa Cruz's Upper West Side and bordering a Natural Reserve, the property offers a rare 'close-in country' lifestyle that combines extreme seclusion with proximity to city amenities.
CONSRISKS & DEFICIENCIES
- High Entry Cost for Existing Improvements
At a multi-million dollar price point, the current habitable space is limited to a modest 700-square-foot cottage, meaning the buyer is primarily paying for land value and future potential rather than immediate luxury square footage.
- Development Obligation
To realize the property's full value, the purchaser must undertake the significant time and financial investment required for new construction, which may be a deterrent for those seeking a move-in ready primary estate.
About 222 Highview Drive
Build your dream retreat: Close-in country living on the Upper West Side. Prime location and panoramic views, on a level, acre-plus, buildable, close-in rural parcel. The zoning says it all--RR Rural Residential, the best of both worlds. Bordered on the north and west by a Natural Reserve, and southeast on the Highview Drive rural but close-to-town community. This is truly the last end-of-the-road parcel on Highview Drive: a hidden, known-only-to-locals community (bordering the better-known Meder Street rural estates to the south). Panoramic views of wildlands, coastal prairie, ocean, redwoods -- and stunning sunsets. The existing cottage is a recent remodel: 1 bath, 1 bedroom plus sleeping loft. Approximately 700 square feet (expandable to 1200 feet). The woodstove and loft give the space a cozy charm. Use it as a guest house or ADU. (There are also a couple of useful outbuildings on this acre-plus property.) New septic system installed 2006 and sized for 4 bedrooms, anticipating a new large house. Unique is an often overused real estate term, but one that rightly applies to this opportunity. Its a really special property, with one of the West Sides best-kept secret views, in a peaceful, private setting.
Property Details
Public Facts
- Property Type
- Single Family Residence
- Year Built
- 1987
- Lot Size
- 48,352 Sq. Ft.
Interior
- Total Bedrooms
- 2
- Total Bathrooms
- 1 (1 Full, 0 Half)
Exterior & Parking
No exterior & parking available.
Utilities & Misc
- HOA Fee
- $0 / Month
Neighborhood Insights
Sensitive Facilities
No sensitive facilities data found.
Neighborhood Comparison
| Feature | Subject | Average Home | Neighborhood Ranking (50 Listings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beds | 2.0 | 3.0 | 25% |
| Baths | 1.0 | 2.0 | 16% |
| Square foot | 621 | 1,489 | 2% |
| Lot Size | 48,352 | 7,144 | 89% |
| Price | $2.48M | $1.35M | 89% |
| Price per sq ft | $4.0K | $886 | 98% |
| Built year | 1987 | 1971 | 72% |
| HOA | $0 | $0 | 50% |
| Days on market | 214 | 172 | 75% |
Pricing History
Listed for Sale
Aug 27, 2025
$2,485,000
$2,700,000
-8% Price Drop
Initial Listing
Price Change
Aug 5, 2025
$2,700,000
Initial Listing




























