About Santa Cruz County
Visit Santa Cruz County asks visitors to use common sense and good judgment while on vacation. Here are a few tips to remind travelers about safety while enjoying their trip:
LOCATION
Santa Cruz County is located on California’s Central Coast, 65 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles north of Monterey. Situated on the northern side of Monterey Bay and hugged by redwood forested mountains, Santa Cruz County has 29 miles of beaches and an extraordinary number of state parks and beaches – 14 in all – and each offers a unique experience for visitors. The nearest airport is in San Jose, 30 miles northeast of Santa Cruz.
CLIMATE
Mild, with summer temperatures in the mid-70s and winter temperatures in the mid-50s. The sun shines 300 days a year and the humidity is low for a coastal city. Average rainfall is 31 inches per year, with most of the rainfall occurring between November and April. Occasional fog due to changing Pacific currents.
HISTORY
Santa Cruz County received its first visitors about 12,000 years ago, according to extensive archaeological research. Since then, from the Ohlone Indians to Gold Rush settlers and now you, people have come to find that the beaches are truly just the beginning in Santa Cruz County. Our community’s architecture, natural resources, agricultural industry, arts and culture, and social diversity originate from a scintillating history worth learning more about!
TOTAL POPULATION
270,861
| Incorporated Cities | Population | Square Miles |
| City of Capitola | 9,938 | 1.6 |
| City of Santa Cruz | 62,956 | 12.0 |
| City of Scotts Valley | 12,224 | 4.6 |
| City of Watsonville | 52,590 | 5.9 |
POPULATION IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS
133,153
INDUSTRIES
Tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and high-tech.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Visit Santa Cruz County
(831) 425-1234 or (800) 833-3494