Santa Cruz County Community

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An Alternative Culture in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is probably the most well-known for its community of hippies and surfers, but the city is becoming much more diverse than that.  While the community remains predominantly white, the hippies and surfers share space with students, refugee dot-comers from the Bay Area and affluent families that can afford the steep rents.  That is not to say that Santa Cruz doesn’t still attract the interesting characters that helped make the city famous.  Santa Cruz is still proud of its weird little beach town reputation.  There are still aging hippies, as well as a new generation of young hippies who ascribe more to vegetarianism and the eco-friendly lifestyle than to the free love of the 60s.  And as long as the killer breaks remain, there will always be surfers dotting the waves.  No matter what label Santa Cruz residents fall under, the community is best described as laid back and environmentally-aware. 

A Beach Resort Community in Capitola

Capitola is smaller and less weird than Santa Cruz, but its community still reflects its beachside location.  The major differences between the communities in Capitola and Santa Cruz are that the Capitola community is smaller, wealthier, older and more European-influenced.  The Capitola esplanade definitely has some hip bars and restaurants that appeal to the younger set, but they are mostly geared toward tourists.  Capitola is California’s oldest beach resort, and the community reflects that.

An Artists’ Community in Davenport

There isn’t much in tiny Davenport, which was originally a whaling town, but it does have a unique community.  Although the other Santa Cruz County towns have resident artists and an array of art galleries, Davenport is an artist’s refuge from the hustle and bustle of the other coastal towns.  All there is to do in the town is create art based on the gorgeous natural surroundings, and so the Davenport community is primarily made up of artists serious about their work.   

Family-Friendly in Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley’s inland location between Santa Cruz and San Jose make it the ideal spot for young families and couples with Silicon Valley ties who can’t afford to live in the Bay Area or simply don’t like the hustle and bustle.  The vibe is decidedly suburban with no hints of the laidback beach culture found just miles away on the coast.  This community is defined by the middle class, educated families that make up the majority of the Scotts Valley population.   

Celebrating the Hispanic Culture in Watsonville

The Watsonville’s agricultural economy has brought a lot of Hispanic immigrants to the area.  This has resulted in a culturally rich community where shops with Spanish names line the downtown area, the farmers market has a Mercado feel and the streets come alive with festivals celebrating Latino holidays.