Best places to live in Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz is a small beach town located in California. The town is known for its surfing and its laid-back atmosphere. Santa Cruz is also home to a number of universities, including UC Santa Cruz. The town is a popular tourist destination, and its Boardwalk is a major attraction.

1. Aptos

Aptos is a beautiful coastal town in Santa Cruz County, California. Situated on the stunning Monterey Bay, Aptos is known for its stunning natural scenery, mild climate, and friendly community. Visitors to Aptos can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, and whale watching. Aptos is also home to a number of excellent restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

2. Capitola

Capitola, California is a beach town located on the Monterey Bay. The town is known for its vibrant colors, eclectic shops, and beautiful sunsets. Visitors can enjoy walking along the beach, fishing from the pier, or riding the waves on a surfboard. The town also offers a variety of dining and nightlife options.

3. Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a beautiful city located on the central coast of California. The city is known for its stunning beaches, surfing, and laid-back vibe. Santa Cruz is also home to a number of great restaurants, cafes, and shops. Visitors to Santa Cruz can enjoy all that the city has to offer, from its natural beauty to its vibrant culture.

4. Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley is a small city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States, with a population of 11,580 people. The city is located in the San Lorenzo Valley, about 30 miles (48 km) south of downtown San Jose and 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the city of Santa Cruz.

The city was incorporated in 1966 and is the home of the popular California’s Great America amusement park and the Mountain Winery concert venue. The Scotts Valley Unified School District serves the city’s public school needs.

The first known inhabitants of Scotts Valley were the Ohlone people. The first Europeans to visit the area were the Spanish, led by Gaspar de Portolá, who camped near what is now the intersection of Scotts Valley Drive and Mount Hermon Road in August 1769.

The area was part of the Rancho San Augustín, a Mexican land grant given in 1833 to Rafael Castro. In 1840, the Mexican government granted Castro’s son-in-law, Juan Bautista Alvarado, the nearby 4,439-acre (1,798 ha) Rancho Rinconada del Río San Lorenzo. Scotts Valley was part of this land grant.

The Union Oil Company bought the Scotts Valley area in 1890 for $265,000. They planted vineyards, built a hotel, and in 1903, constructed a line from Alameda to Santa Cruz. The first post office in Scotts Valley opened in 1892.

The company sold the land to the Scotts Valley Land and Improvement Company in 1910. The company planned to build a townsite and sell lots. However, the plan fell through and the land was sold to various farmers.

In the late 1950s, the Scotts Valley area was identified as a possible location for a new community. A group of investors bought 1,000 acres (400 ha) of land and began planning a new city. The City of Scotts Valley was incorporated in 1966.

The city has continued to grow since then. The population was 3,990 at the 2010 census. The median home price in Scotts Valley was $865,000 in 2019.

5. Watsonville

Watsonville is a city in California’s Central Coast region, located in Santa Cruz County. The population was 51,199 at the 2010 census. Located on the Pajaro River in the southern part of the county, Watsonville is the county seat of Santa Cruz County.

Watsonville is a culturally diverse city with a large Hispanic population. There is also a significant Portuguese community. The town is known for its agriculture, with a large number of farms and ranches in the surrounding area.

Watsonville is located at the southern end of Monterey Bay, about 30 miles (48 km) south of downtown Santa Cruz and 60 miles (97 km) north of Salinas.

The Pajaro Valley, in which Watsonville is located, has a long agricultural history. The valley was originally inhabited by the Ohlone people, and later by the Salinan and Esselen tribes. The first European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, and the area was used for ranching and farming.

In the 19th century, the Pajaro Valley was one of the most densely populated areas of California. Watsonville was originally a stop on the stagecoach line between San Francisco and Monterey. The town was incorporated in 1868.

Watsonville has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The average annual rainfall is about 24 inches (610 mm).

Watsonville is a vibrant community with a strong sense of identity. The town is home to a variety of businesses, including agriculture, food processing, and high-tech manufacturing. The city is also home to several educational institutions, including Cabrillo College and the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Watsonville is an attractive destination for tourists, with a variety of attractions, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, and the Pajaro Valley Museum.

6. Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond is a small town located in the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. The town is named after Ben Lomond Mountain, which is located nearby. The population of Ben Lomond is approximately 3,000.

The town is located in a rural area and is known for its scenic views. There are several hiking trails in the area, and the town is also home to a number of wineries.

Ben Lomond is a popular destination for tourists, and the town has a number of bed and breakfast options. There are also a few restaurants and cafes in town.

7. Boulder Creek

Boulder Creek is a small town located in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Santa Cruz County, California. The town has a population of about 3,000 people and is situated at an elevation of 1,000 feet. The town is known for its redwood forests, hiking trails, and as the gateway to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

The town is located on the banks of Boulder Creek, which flows through the center of town. The creek is a popular destination for fishing, swimming, and kayaking. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the town and into the surrounding forests.

Boulder Creek is a popular destination for tourists who want to experience the beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The town has several bed and breakfast inns, as well as several restaurants and cafes. There are also a number of art galleries and shops in the town.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is located just a few miles from Boulder Creek and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. The park is home to some of the tallest trees in the world, as well as a variety of plant and animal life. There are also a number of hiking trails, waterfalls, and other natural features to explore.

8. Davenport

Davenport is a small town located in Santa Cruz County, California. The town is situated on the coast, and has a population of just over 1,000 people. The town is a popular tourist destination, due to its scenic location and its proximity to the city of Santa Cruz. Davenport is home to a number of businesses and amenities, including a post office, a grocery store, and a number of restaurants. There are also a number of parks and beaches located in the town, which make it a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

9. Felton

Felton is a small town located in Santa Cruz County, California. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 3,107.

Felton is located in the San Lorenzo Valley, about 10 miles (16 km) from the city of Santa Cruz and about 35 miles (56 km) from the city of San Jose. The town is situated along Highway 9, which runs through the center of town.

The town of Felton was founded in 1849, and was originally named “Graham’s Station” after the first postmaster, Hiram Graham. The name was changed to “Felton” in 1851, after Colonel William M. Felton, who was instrumental in bringing the railroad to the San Lorenzo Valley.

The Felton post office opened in 1851, and the first school was built in 1852. The San Lorenzo Valley was originally inhabited by the Ohlone people, and evidence of their presence can still be found in the area.

Today, Felton is a quiet, small town with a charming downtown area. The town is home to several businesses, including a grocery store, a hardware store, and a few restaurants. There is also a small public library.

While Felton is a small town, it is also a popular tourist destination. The town is located near several state parks, including Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and Portola Redwoods State Park. Felton is also home to the Roaring Camp Railroads, a popular attraction for visitors.

10. La Selva Beach

1. La Selva Beach is a beautiful coastal town in Northern California.
2. La Selva Beach is known for its stunning beaches and surfing.
3. La Selva Beach is home to a variety of shops and restaurants.
4. La Selva Beach is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
5. La Selva Beach is situated close to a number of major attractions.
6. La Selva Beach is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the California coastline.
7. La Selva Beach has a long history of human settlement.
8. La Selva Beach is a culturally diverse community.
9. La Selva Beach is a great place to live, work, and play.
10. La Selva Beach is a truly unique and special place.