Street sign of Pacific Avenue and Soquel Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz, CA

If there’s one thing Santa Cruz is known for, it's the beautiful shoreline and unparalleled ocean views. With the area’s most recognizable landmarks including the Santa Cruz Wharf and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the waterfront includes high-flying rides, exciting games, and so much more. 


And when you’re feeling hungry, you don’t want to miss the excellent dining options in and around Santa Cruz, either! Using fresh, delicious ingredients, such as crab and salmon, here are our picks for five must-try seafood restaurants in the area.

 

Poké House

1543 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz

Visit the restaurant website


Cities all across the country are waking up to excellent Hawaiian cuisine, and Santa Cruz is no different. Poké House…

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Field of wildflowers and Santa Cruz mountains in background

The city of Scotts Valley, California is known for its excellent location; the perfect option for commuting professionals (either south to Santa Cruz or north to Silicon Valley) and families. Scotts Valley neighborhoods tend to preserve the beautiful, natural features of the area, and as a result offer homebuyers a slice of the forest lifestyle. 


There are a number of Scotts Valley communities to choose from—but which one is best for you? We outline five of Scotts Valley’s most exclusive neighborhoods below.

Granite Creek Estates

Looking for luxury? Your search ends here. Granite Creek Estates are found at the end of Granite Creek Road, east of Scotts Valley Drive. This quiet neighborhood is home to sprawling houses on the area’s hillside,…

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Little brown rabbit with basket of eggs

From Easter egg hunts to exciting, local markets, there’s so much fun and excitement happening this April in Santa Cruz County! Consider getting out and exploring what this gorgeous area has to offer with the numerous events this month. These events can be enjoyed by those of all ages, at price points that range from free and up.

 

If you're searching for something to do either during the week or on the weekend this April, then we have you covered. Here are some of the events that we're most excited for.

Easter Egg Hunts & Events

Hop to it! In a category all by themselves are the Easter egg hunts around Santa Cruz County. While there are several local Easter events that the little ones will love, one of the largest and most popular is…

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Rollercoaster at Santa Cruz Eeach Boardwalk, USA

With its safe neighborhoods, great schools, and beautiful scenery, it’s no wonder why many families are making the move to Santa Cruz County. Although this region is known particularly for its beaches and surfing opportunities, there’s so much more to see and do. From the classic attractions at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, to community events hosted at Aptos Village County Park, every day offers something new and exciting for area residents. 

 

This weekend, consider taking the whole family out to enjoy what this gorgeous area has to offer. We’ve compiled a list of some of the popular child-friendly attractions (and some you might not know about!) around Santa Cruz County—for all ages!

 

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

100…

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Modern, Art Deco-inspired living room in white

As we (desperately) wish for spring to arrive in beautiful Santa Cruz County, you may feel like your home needs a little bit of a refresh. Whether that means grabbing some new throw pillows or completely renovating your bathroom is up to you! But before you make any changes, there are a few interior design trends for spring 2023 that you may want to consider for your space. 


From bright colors to bold shapes, we're seeing a lot of fresh styles floating around. If you’re lost for ideas or just want some inspiration, then keep reading below as we outline some of the biggest trends in interior design this season.

Earth Tones

Building off of the popularity of the color green over the previous years, we’re also seeing a shift towards other earth…

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Yellow California Poppy flower, typical of Santa Cruz area

Spring is almost officially here in Santa Cruz, and with it comes warmer weather and blooming flowers—or so they say. While it might take a bit more time for us to experience the warmer temperatures, many of us are already dreaming about fun, outdoor springtime activities we'd like to do this year. For all those amateur photographers, passionate Instagrammers, or even just your regular nature-lovers, this is a great opportunity to get up and get out!


There are several types of flowers native to the Santa Cruz area, including the beautiful purple Lupine and the striking yellow Santa Cruz Wallflower, but what are the best places to see them this spring? We outline our favorites down below!

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park

800 Quail Hollow Road,…

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Seagulls on rock formation at Natural Bridges State Beach in Westside Santa Cruz

Shopping, entertainment, and the rocky shoreline. The city of Santa Cruz is known for its vibrant, lively atmosphere, and West Santa Cruz is where you’ll find a blend of commercial and residential areas—built upon the region’s long surfing history. 


Separated into the Upper West Side and Lower West Side, there’s much to see and do and several exclusive neighborhoods to call home, such as Westlake in the north and The Circles in the south. West Santa Cruz combines charming properties with dynamic city life, which makes this area quite a desirable place to live.


Beautiful homes, central location, and parks; this community truly has it all.! Read on to learn more about why West Santa Cruz is a fantastic place to call home.

Surf’s Up! A…

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Benches at UC Santa Cruz overlooking the city below

With ten campuses across the state (nine undergraduate and one graduate only), the University of California has consistently been ranked as one of the top higher education institutions in the country. UC Berkeley is perhaps its most-known campus, for its academic achievements have ranked it as one of the best schools in the world—with two other University of California campuses in the top 20.


The University of California, Santa Cruz is renowned for its research and science programs, as well as its gorgeous location—which overlooks the city and has views of the waterfront beyond. UC Santa Cruz has a great number of famed alumni, who have contributed significantly to arts, sciences, and other fields.

bell hooks

Writer, Activist, Professor  

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Coffee with heart foam and flowers

Love is in the air! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—whether we’re anticipating it or not! While chocolates, flowers, and candlelight dinners are popular plans for this romantic weekend, there are always some more casual alternatives.

For first dates, for friend dates, or for those just looking to get out and enjoy Santa Cruz, a café might be just the perfect place to spend the afternoon! Here are five Santa Cruz cafés that you might want to check out this Valentine’s Day.

Flower Bar 

912 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz


For the romantics, Flower Bar might be just for you. This downtown spot is both a charming café and a fresh flower boutique. Some shop from the various homewares and goods, while others enjoy sitting outside and…

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Santa Cruz County is most notable for its beautiful beaches, its vibrant atmosphere, and the abundance of things to do! If you’re in the market for a home in this area, there are plenty of options available in the numerous coastal communities and beyond. 

 

But what if you’re not exactly sure where you’d like to settle? Do I want a forested escape or a seaside retreat? What can I get for my budget? These are important questions to ask! Keep reading as we answer what $2,000,000 can get you in two very desirable Santa Cruz County areas: Aptos and Santa Cruz.

 

Pink beach themed interior of home

Santa Cruz

The county seat of Santa Cruz County, this beautiful city is one of the most desirable places to live in the area. It’s home to a plethora of shops and restaurants…

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