Neighborhoods in Santa Cruz County
The collection of coastal towns, mountain communities, farms, and wide-open spaces that make up Santa Cruz County offer an expansive range of recreational, occupational, educational, and residential options – in other words, there’s something for everyone! 
Downtown Santa Cruz:The downtown area is the central hub of Santa Cruz: home to County and Santa Cruz City government, professional offices, retail shops, community centers, and entertainment. Everything is within walking distance, including great shopping, hotels and B&Bs, a professional basketball arena, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, the wharf, and the Pacific Ocean. Some of the finest examples of Santa Cruz’s rich architectural history can also be found in this area; from the towering spire of Holy Cross Church and the adjacent adobe mission, to the beautiful Greek and Italianate-style homes built in the mid- to late-19th century.
UCSC:
Amidst the acres of lush redwood forests and rolling foothills overlooking the Monterey Bay is the University of California, Santa Cruz, one of the most naturally picturesque settings for higher learning in the United States. |
|
Capitola:
Capitola-By-The-Sea is the quintessential coastal town, with beautiful beaches, unique shops and restaurants, and lots of little vacation rentals and hotels. Walk along the Esplanade in Capitola Village for great shopping, wine tasting, and fantastic restaurants. A short walk up the hill will take you to more dining and shopping at the Capitola Mall and dozens of stores and businesses along 41st Avenue, or just stroll along the quiet, residential streets and enjoy the fresh ocean breezes. Be sure to come back in September for the nationally-renowned Capitola Art & Wine Festival. |
|
Soquel:
The tiny township of Soquel rolls inland from Capitola into the surrounding foothills. Antique shops and small restaurants share the downtown area with a fire station and a white church, while gatherings of older, well-kept homes line the neighborhood streets. Up the hill past the high school is Anna Jean Cummings Park (also known as Blue Ball Park), a great place to play and picnic, or travel into the foothills and up to the summit to discover countless homes and hidden wineries amongst the redwood trees. |
|
Aptos:
Aptos is host to a variety of handsome residential communities, state parks, historic landmarks, schools, churches, small businesses, and Cabrillo Community College. It’s also the home of the first manned flight experiments of John Montgomery, which, incidentally, pre-date those of the Wright Brothers. 
Watsonville:
The center of agricultural prosperity in California, the City of Watsonville is located in the Pajaro River Valley and is home to thousands of individuals and families, schools, churches, and farming communities. Visitors come to explore the local wetlands and parks, stroll through the historic downtown area, visit “u-pick” farms for berries and apples, kick up the sand at Sunset Beach, golf, and attend the annual Santa Cruz County Fair and Watsonville Fly-In. The area also supports many commercial and retail ventures, manufacturers, and Pajaro Dunes, a gated resort community where vacationers stay in luxurious homes and condominiums just steps from the beach. 
Seacliff:
With dozens of vacation rentals, a small motel, and an RV park adjacent to Seacliff State Beach, vacationers have lots of accommodation options in this sheltered hideaway. Indoor and patio dining is available at several restaurants, or enjoy the local scene at the neighborhood tavern. |
|
San Lorenzo Valley: Surrounded by the Santa Cruz Mountains, the San Lorenzo Valley’s richly-forested landscape provides a perfect hiding place to some of Santa Cruz County’s most beautiful areas to live – and the largest redwood trees you’ll ever see! Historic little logging towns offer a lovely mix of shops and great restaurants, not to mention great music. From community get-togethers and local theater productions to discovering secret swimming holes along the creek, you’re sure to find lots to do and see in this stretch of civilized wilderness. |
|
Scotts Valley:
The City of Scotts Valley is nestled between the coast and the mountains, with easy access to Santa Cruz and San Jose. Newer housing developments are built near expansive parks and forests, so there’s no lack of places to picnic, hike, and enjoy the sunshine. Great shopping and restaurants, too. Looking for a great place to host a conference? The Hilton Scotts Valley is the perfect place for companies to get away, regroup, and invest in their employees and vision. |
|
Ben Lomond:
The epitome of “adorable small town,” Ben Lomond has some of the best gift/homesteading/feed/garden/deli/produce stores around (according to folks who live there). Come for German cuisine at the Tyrolean Inn, stay in a real castle (available for rent), visit Highlands Park, or take a dip in the swimming hole that’s right in town. Content provided by Tiffany X. Zachmeier of Bay Federal Credit Union. |
|
