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Santa Cruz Online Guide
Situated on the northern end of the Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz County enjoys a wonderful Pacific Ocean location. Just 65 miles north of San Francisco, the county is a rich combination of stunning beaches, majestic redwoods, and fertile farmland. Furthermore, its proximity to the city and to the Silicon Valley in general makes it a wonderful place to live for those who desire the convenience of being near San Francisco and the Technology Belt without the hassle and expense of city living.
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Santa Cruz County includes four incorporated cities. The city of Santa Cruz, with a population of about 55,000, is the largest city in the county and also the county seat. Santa Cruz has long been known as one of the most liberal and progressive cities in California, stressing the importance of diversity and consistently promoting non-violence. Activism aside, however, Santa Cruz is a fun city to visit. Home to a charming downtown area full of sidewalk cafes and unique retail shops, the city of Santa Cruz is an excellent place to explore on foot.
However, the beach in Santa Cruz remains the number one attraction. It’s boardwalk is home to California’s oldest amusement park and the beach here is reputed to be the site of the first surfing in the state (supposedly attempted by 3 Hawaiian princes in 1885). Visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum for more on the history of the sport. Sailing and diving are also popular at the city’s beaches and along the entire 29 miles of coastline in Santa Cruz County.
Lately, Santa Cruz County is also attempting to come into its own as far as the winemaking industry is concerned. Competing with such established grape-growing areas as nearby Napa and Sonoma Counties, Santa Cruz is beginning to make a mark, boasting a few wineries that have been heralded as among the best in the state.
Guests who enjoy museums might also want to make a trip to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, where they can explore Native American and other local archaeological artifacts. It’s also an excellent place to learn about marine life of the Monterey Bay.
The town of Davenport, just north of Santa Cruz, has become a haven for artists and is home to many galleries. In the winter, the bluffs of Davenport are a great place to do a little whale watching.
Watsonville, located in what’s known as the Pajaro River Valley, is Santa Cruz County’s second most populous city. Situated in the southern portion of the county, inland from the coast, this area is known for its orchards and farms that grow strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries, and is also home to some 200 species of waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. The town itself is full of attractive Victorian homes and small retail establishments. Visit Watsonville in August and enjoy the annual Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival, a 3-day event featuring music, art, carnival rides, and, of course, plenty of strawberries.
Santa Cruz County’s other incorporated cities are Scotts Valley and Capitola. Visitors head to Scotts Valley to enjoy the massive redwood trees, views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and a host of other natural attractions. Home to Henry Cowell State Park and Fall Creek State Park, Scotts Valley is a haven for hikers and outdoor lovers who seek recreation away from the beaches of coastal Santa Cruz. The Scotts Valley Wine and Art Festival has been held each August since 2003 and is a popular event with locals and visitors.
Charming Capitola is California’s oldest seaside resort town, established in 1869. Along with neighboring Soquel, visitors to this part of the county can enjoy antique shopping and lazy days on the beach.
Other small towns in Santa Cruz County include Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Felton, and La Selva Beach.
Lovers of marine animals should make a visit to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which stretches from Marin to Cambria. Santa Cruz County serves as the gateway to this wonderful area. Encompassing a shoreline length of 276 miles and 5,322 square miles of ocean, the sanctuary supports one of the world's most diverse marine ecosystems.
Other interesting natural areas include a total of 6 state parks, including Forest of Nisene Marks State Park near the town of Aptos. Once the site of logging operations, this state park offers 30 miles of hiking, biking, and jogging trails in addition to picnicking facilities. Other state parks in Santa Cruz County are Castle Rock State Park, in the northeastern corner of the county along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the oldest in California and home to 18,000 acres of old and recovering Redwood forest. Some trails link Castle Rock to Big Basin State Park, providing miles of amazing scenery to be enjoyed while hiking or via bicycle.
Water lovers can head to the Loch Lomond Recreation area for boating, fishing, hiking or picnicking, or to tiny Pinto Lake, where guests can fish, go paddle boating (in season), kayak or canoe, and enjoy playground facilities.
Of course, the San Lorenzo River provides a variety of watersports as well, including boating and fishing, though in an attempt to preserve the dwindling salmon population here, this body of water has been a “catch and release” river since 1984. |
Featured Listings
DeLaveaga Disc Golf Club
Seacliff State Beach
Santa Cruz Sportfishing
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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Rio Del Mar Beach
The Perfumer's Apprentice
Shannon Renfrew Realtor
Jeff Wickum - Lifestyles Real Estate
Mission Santa Cruz
Zelda's On The Beach
Mark Kastner - Keller Williams Realty
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Paradise Surf Shop
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Wilder Ranch State Park
Susi ValldeRuten - David Lyng Real Estate
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