The Santa Cruz area is a place of inspiring natural beauty. Picture-perfect scenes surround the campus and the town: the vast Pacific Ocean, primeval stands of redwood forests, majestic mountains, and rows of fresh farmland. But it is also a convenient, modern place to live with good shopping and amenities, as well as its own personality and culture.

Santa Cruz has long been a place that embraced individuality. Jack O’Neill, who is credited with inventing the wetsuit, built his global business here. The idea that launched media titan Netflix happened in downtown Santa Cruz, and the business launched in nearby Scotts Valley.

Santa Cruz is a small coastal city of about 60,000 people. Its laid-back Surf City atmosphere and world-famous Beach Boardwalk amusement park are augmented by the globally recognized Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, a vibrant symphonic and independent music scene, a burgeoning tech ecosystem, cutting-edge genomics companies, and a lively downtown retail experience.

Come live and learn with us in this gorgeous place!

For a complete visitor guide, including information on accommodations, dining, activities, and more, see the Visit Santa Cruz County homepage.