Perhaps most well-known for its surfing opportunities, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Santa Cruz is a lovely place for both families and young professionals to settle down. So it’s no wonder that so many choose to make this gorgeous area home!
Santa Cruz is also where many noteworthy people have hailed from. Whether they were born in this beautiful region or spent a large part of their lives here, each are proud to call themselves Santa Cruz residents—and have gone on to do some great work! Here are a few of the influential people who have come from this wonderful city.
Adam Scott
April 3, 1973—
Perhaps one of the most recognizable names on this list, Adam Scott is an actor most known for his work on television—which include his minor roles in The Good Place and Big Little Lies, and his major roles in Parks and Recreation and Severance. He has also starred in several films, and currently co-hosts a podcast (although he has also appeared as a guest in a number of others).
Adam Scott was born and raised in Santa Cruz. Although starting out in more comedic television shows, he has branched out to more dramatic roles over the years, with great critical reception. Adam Scott has been nominated for an Emmy for his performance in the lead role in the television series, Severance.
Julia Hartz
November 20, 1979—
A big supporter of women in the business world, Julia Hartz is an Entrepreneur and the co-founder of the international ticketing and event organization platform, Eventbrite.
Initially beginning her career in television as a development executive, Hartz now balances her role as a CEO and investor. She has appeared on the cover of Forbes Magazine and has been recognized under several Fortune lists, including “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.” She was born and raised in Santa Cruz.
Jay Moriarity
June 16, 1978—June 15, 2001
Born in Georgia, but having moved to Santa Cruz during infancy, Jay Moriarty was a renowned surfer. With many favorite spots in and around the Santa Cruz County area, he was most notable for surfing Mavericks, a popular and challenging surf location found to the north in Half Moon Bay.
Many have cited him as an inspiring figure for the surfing community. In 2012, following his passing, a biopic called Chasing Mavericks was released.
Lorette Wood
May 17, 1915—April 20, 2010
Elected in 1971, and in office for a year, Lorette Wood was the first female mayor of Santa Cruz. Although she was not born or raised in Santa Cruz, she moved here later on, and spent most of her life here. When elected as mayor, she was cited as saying that she would do, "the job in which the people have put their confidence in me to do."
A Republican, Lorette Wood was a teacher before she was a politician, and advocated for the rights of female teachers, specifically unlawful contract termination. Wood would also be the first female city council member in Santa Cruz, elected 4 years prior in 1967—an event which happened one hundred and one years after the city’s incorporation.
Other Notable Santa Cruz Residents
While not Santa Cruz natives, there are few other influential individuals who have resided or spent significant time in the Santa Cruz area.
Alfred Hitchcock
13 August 1899—29 April 1980
Alfred Hitchcock is highly regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers of all time, with some of his most notable works including Rebecca (1940), Vertigo (1958), and Psycho (1960). Born in Britain, he later became an American citizen, and owned a home in Scotts Valley. His love for the Santa Cruz County and the coastal California area would be the inspiration for several of his films, including Suspicion (1941), and The Birds (1963).
Angela Davis
January 26, 1944—
Angela Davis, now a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the department of Feminist Studies, is a longtime political activist and renowned author of numerous books on the topics of race, class, feminism, and prison abolitionism. Her incarceration in 1970 spawned the “Free Angela Davis” movement that called for her freedom—and she was later declared innocent.
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