In Santa Cruz, a family legacy property is set on over an acre, overlooking iconic harbor and Boardwalk views. And now, after almost 100 years with one family, 113 Ocean View Ave. is for sale, priced at $7,895,000.
The estate has been owned by the Rittenhouse family since 1932, when the family purchased the property. The family has long history in Santa Cruz, serving in city governing, real estate and business.

A huge hearth anchors the living room.
Matthew Anello
The Rittenhouses remodeled the storybook-style home, which dates back to 1898, extensively. Now in 2022, the home’s original charm is intact, though modern renovations add to to its appeal.

The kitchen has been fully remodeled more than once and now invites serious cooks to enjoy its amenities.
Matthew Anello
The property may be familiar to anyone who’s visited Santa Cruz. The home and grounds are tucked behind private gates and encircled by English garden-style landscaping. That English-inspired vibe continues with the home’s exterior, in the stone siding, dormers and slate tile roof.

The home has been modernized inside its timeless facade.
Matthew Anello
There are 3,562 square feet of living space in the four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home, but the land is what truly sets this listing apart. “The property combined with the quarter-acre adjacent parcel included in the sale is 1.6 acres,” said Colleen Marchbank of Compass. “I bet it is the largest, if not one of the largest, residential lots in the city of Santa Cruz.” And, the buyer of this home could have even more land: “The family owns two more adjacent lots totaling 0.65 acres that the buyer will have first right of refusal to purchase with the sale,” Marchbank said.

Wraparound decks add places to enjoy the Banana Belt setting and westerly views.
Matthew Anello
Along with the gardens and lawn, the estate features a huge patio and pool. These grounds are framed by panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and ocean beyond.

There’s also an outdoor kitchen.
Matthew Anello

A hot tub set above the pool patio grants sweeping vistas.
Matthew Anello
The joys of Santa Cruz are walkable from this location, with the famous Shopper’s Corner, the Boardwalk esplanade and a plethora of local beaches just a short distance away.

Off this bedroom is a sizable walk-in closet.
Matthew Anello
Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert.