City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is located in one of the most beautiful areas in California on the sunny, northern side of the Monterey Bay, 70 miles south of San Francisco and 30 miles southwest of San Jose. Situated between magnificent redwood-forested mountains and the white-capped splendor of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Cruz is one of California’s most popular seaside resorts, with 29 miles of beaches and the historic Beach Boardwalk seaside amusement park. The mild Mediterranean climate invites all to enjoy the numerous forest and mountain trails, spectacular ocean vistas, and rich and varied marine life. Recreational facilities in Santa Cruz include 17 state parks and beaches, golf courses, and a small craft harbor. As the gateway to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Santa Cruz offers a full range of activities for water sports enthusiasts, including kayaking, sailing, ocean fishing, and surfing.

Santa Cruz has numerous art galleries and a thriving music scene. A wide variety of outstanding cultural and special events are offered year-round, including Santa Cruz Shakespeare, the Cabrillo Music Festival, the “Woodies on the Wharf” vintage car parade, the Santa Cruz Blues Festival, and many exciting national surfing competitions. Area museums include the Museum of Art and History, the Museum of Natural History, and the Surfing Museum.

The City’s population is approximately 63,000; however, the City of Santa Cruz serves a larger population as the regional center and county seat of Santa Cruz County, and as a major tourist destination. Downtown neighborhoods are a living historical treasure, with a significant number of Victorian homes and turn-of-the century buildings. The downtown business district is a vibrant commercial and entertainment hub. Santa Cruz is a diverse community composed of different ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds and life
experiences.

As the economic, cultural, and governmental center of the region, Santa Cruz has a flourishing and diverse local economy based on tourism, retail, agriculture, services, and high-tech industry, supplemented by an expanding green economy in response to climate change. Pacific Avenue, located in the City’s downtown, is home to branch offices of several high-tech companies. Santa Cruz provides a compelling environment full of opportunity. Institutions of higher learning located nearby include the University of California, Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College, and Five Branches University.