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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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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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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Downtown Santa Cruz street with vintage cars


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…

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It can be difficult to try new things and to meet new people! However, Santa Cruz County is known not only for its beautiful landscapes and numerous activities, but also for its welcoming community. It’s always a great idea to put yourself out there and meet your neighbors.


If you’re new to the Santa Cruz County area, or if you’d just like to get out and try something different, there are many clubs—for any taste!—that you could consider joining. From sports to gaming, here is our list of the cool local clubs you may want to try out!

 

Silhouettes of volleyball players on beach

Volleyball

One of the most popular sports—with another coming up below!—in Santa Cruz County is volleyball. With a multitude of indoor facilities and outdoor opportunities on the many area beaches,…

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The Santa Cruz area is probably most well-known for its beautiful beaches, exciting parks and attractions, and gorgeous properties. While “young professional” is a relatively broad term, more and more ambitious, career-driven individuals are now making their move to Santa Cruz County.

 

This area offers residents a high quality of living, a vibrant atmosphere, and a plethora of outdoor opportunities. Here are our picks for the top three places to live if you’re a young professional!


Figures atLighthouse Field State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz

Although this recommendation might seem obvious, Santa Cruz is undeniably a big draw for young professionals. A cultural hub, this coastal city is where you’ll find some phenomenal beaches and a multitude of entertainment opportunities. From…

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Kids in Halloween costumes reaching out their hands for candy

It’s almost time for scares and frights! October means that Halloween is fast approaching—and no one is more excited than the kids. What’s more fun than carving pumpkins, dressing up, and (of course!) getting lots of candy? Celebrate the spookiest time of year with our picks for the top family-friendly Halloween events in the Santa Cruz area!

Halloween At The Boardwalk: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz’s beachside amusement park just ramped up the thrills! Come on down for their Halloween event, happening October 30 from 12pm-7pm. Purchase a Trick-or-Treat package the day of, or order in advance. Ticket holders will receive a candy bag for trick-or-treating all around the area and a $10 MyBoardwalk Card for the park (which can be used on…

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Delicious eats for different tastes. Santa Cruz County offers a lot of choice when it comes to dining out, from all-American food and drinks, to cuisine from around the world!

 

Becoming more and more popular with dedicated foodies are vegetarian and vegan restaurants. These top spots are known for their great atmospheres and excellent food, and can be enjoyed by anyone—no matter your diet!

 

Here are some of our picks for the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Santa Cruz County. 

 

Cup of coffee on wooden table

Cafe Gratitude: 103 Lincoln Street, Santa Cruz

Local, seasonal, and fresh right to your plate. This restaurant is a Santa Cruz Classic. Famous for a reason, this artistic little spot is located right in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz. 

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Living in Santa Cruz means not only being close to so many great local spots, but also being just a day trip away from so many incredible spots. Today, we'll be taking a look at the historic Yosemite National Park, less than a four hour drive away from Santa Cruz real estate. Summer is a great time to head out and see the waterfalls, viewpoints and wildlife in this incredible national park, so read on to find out what makes Yosemite one of the best national parks in the country. 


Breathtaking view of Yosemite National park

Yosemite Park History

Yosemite National Park was mainly home to indigenous populations until the mid 1800s, when the gold rush brought miners and other settlers to the region. 

However, due to highly unregulated tourism and resource extraction, president Abraham…

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