Branciforte Drive, Santa Cruz, CA

Branciforte Drive follows the hillside road that runs from the busy Water Street corridor up toward DeLaveaga Park, and the neighborhood of the same name in Santa Cruz stretches between the two. The lower end is practical and commercial, and the upper end is green and quiet. Housing is a patchwork. Older cottages and bungalows share blocks with multi-unit buildings near Water Street, and the streets get leafier and more residential as the road climbs toward the park. The park's trail network is the nearest real woods. DeLaveaga Park is the headline, with its entrance right on Branciforte Drive. Hikers and bikers get the trails and golfers get the course, and there are archery and disc golf ranges plus picnic areas. For a smaller outing, Grant Park and John Franks Park sit in neighboring Banana Belt, and the San Lorenzo River path is a short ride west. Food is concentrated down on Water Street. Tacos Moreno, at 1053 Water Street, covers the taqueria side of things. Samba Rock Acai Cafe, at 291 Water, serves acai bowls and juices, and the Seabright Avenue restaurant blocks are a short ride east. Safeway handles most grocery runs, and Whole Foods and Staff of Life are a quick drive over toward Seabright. Santa Cruz Metro runs along the Water Street corridor, and Highway 1 and Highway 17 are minutes away, so commuting over the hill or down to Capitola does not mean crossing town. The road itself is the compromise. Branciforte Drive is the way up to the park for everyone, so traffic and parking get tight near the trailheads on busy weekends, and the lower blocks hear Water Street all day. Living here means the biggest park in town is a short drive or a long walk from the door, which is a good trade for anyone who likes to spend weekends outside.