Santa Cruz County has 254,538 residents and is situated at the northern tip of Monterey Bay, 65 miles south of San Francisco, 35 miles north of Monterey, and 35 miles southwest of the Silicon Valley. Its natural beauty is present in the pristine beaches, lush redwood forests, and rich farmland. It has an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity and sunshine 300 days a year.
Cities in Santa Cruz County
There are four incorporated cities within Santa Cruz County. The largest is the City of Santa Cruz, with a population of 54,593. Watsonville has a population of 44,265; Scotts Valley has 11,385, and Capitola has 10,033.
Preserving the natural beauty of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County is the Gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The County has 29 miles of beaches and includes six state parks and six state beaches. Its quaint shops and restaurants, coupled with a multitude of cultural and recreational activities, including sailing, fishing, golf, tennis and hiking, provide a wealth of leisure activities.
The State of California owns and maintains 42,334 acres of parks in the coastal and mountainous areas of Santa Cruz County. The County maintains an additional 850 acres of parks, and numerous parks are also found within the cities. Cultural amenities include the Santa Cruz County Symphony, the Cabrillo Music Festival, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, the McPherson Museum of Art and History, the University of California Performing Arts Center, and the Henry J. Mello Performing Arts Center.
A thriving community
Santa Cruz County’s strong local economy is anchored by vibrant high technology, agriculture, and tourism, and the school system includes Cabrillo Community College and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz also hosts the Long Marine Laboratory, the Lick Observatory, the National Marine Fisheries service, and the Oiled Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center.
