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In 1769 the Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola discovered the land area which is now known as the City of Santa Cruz. When he came upon the beautiful flowing river, he named it San Lorenzo in honor of Saint Lawrence. He called the rolling hills above the river Santa Cruz, which means holy cross.
Twenty-two years later, in 1791, Father Fermin de Lasuen established a mission at Santa Cruz, the twelfth mission to be founded in California. Across the San Lorenzo River, in what is now known as East Santa Cruz, Villa de Branciforte was established It was founded by the Spanish as one of three civil settlements or pueblos in California. The other pueblos were San Jose and Los Angeles. Villa de Branciforte later merged with the Mission Santa Cruz community across the river.
By the 1820's Mexico had assumed control of the area and within the next twenty years, Americans began to arrive in great numbers. California became a state in 1849, and Santa Cruz County was created in 1850 as one of the twenty-seven original counties.
By the turn of the century logging, lime processing, agriculture, and commercial fishing industries prospered in the area. Due to its mild climate and scenic beauty Santa Cruz also became a prominent resort community.
Santa Cruz was incorporated in 1866 as a town under the laws of the State of California and received its first charter as a city in 1876. At that lime the city was governed by a Mayor and Common Council consisting of fourmembers.
In 1907, the citizens voted for a new charter designating a Mayor as chief executive and a City Council consisting of seven members. Subsequent charters gave a Mayor and four Commissioners both executive and administrative powers. At that time the city was divided into five departments: Public Affairs, Revenue and Finance, Public Health and Safety, Public Works, and Streets and Parks.
In 1948, the City of Santa Cruz adopted a new City Charter. This charter established a Council-Manager form of government, with a Mayor and six Councilmembers setting policy for the city and a city manager serving as the chief administrator of those policies. The Charter, with amendments, is still in existence today.
Tucked away in time, an old fashioned boardwalk with amusement rides on the sand, beaches where students from the University of Santa Cruz can bring their books to read and surfers who range from original long boarders to the new wave, all share a common bond. Though recognized as a surfing capital, Santa Cruz holds a special place in the hearts of all who visit?energized in a land touched by the golden sun, those passing through passionately state that it feels like home.
From an impromptu bongo percussion band playing near a tree by Santa Cruz Surfing Museum (where crowds instantaneously congregate to watch and listen) to the famed, 100-year old Santa Cruz Board Walk with its original roller coaster, seaside food stands and even a beach train that runs from the mountains to the sea during the summer months, can life be any more charmed than the paradise found in this authentic beach community?
Santa Cruz is a bit different from the rest of the California beach cities. Embracing not only the eclectic 100-year old American surfing culture with its surf museum, surf legends such as the O'Neills, surfing spots such as Steamer Lane and Surf City Coffee, Santa Cruz ranks as one of the top destinations for those who seek "authentic beach". The Santa Cruz beach board walk is the best example of early 20th century California history. While nearly every burgeoning beach community had a beachside amusement or pleasure pier and carnival atmosphere during that era, the only remnants of the age are found in San Diego's Belmont Park, Santa Monica's refurbished Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, and Santa Cruz Board Walk. We've visited all of them and can tell you that there's only one that retains the flavor, allowing you to actually step back in time to imagine what life would have been like in the early 1900's. That place is Santa Cruz. This Bay Area city stands proud with its dedication to preserving and promoting California history. Europeans and world travelers love to soak up the vibe in the authentic places California boasts. Gold Country and Santa Cruz are among their favorites in this regard. And, as the quaint beach communities quickly are torn down and replaced with Mediterranean-style stucco buildings, Californians are also discovering the few authentic destinations they can share with their families, such as Santa Cruz.
Gotta surf? Summers are ideal for learning to surf, kayak or take a fishing boat excursion in Santa Cruz. All along the beaches you'll see boys and girls, women and men surfers walking with their surfboards and hopping into the water to catch a wave. Summer beach kiosks or rental stands offer surfboards, body boards and wetsuit rentals in Santa Cruz and Capitola, two favorites for trying your hand at this water sport where seasoned surfers often report seeing dolphins and migratory whales pass by.
Set along the treasured Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary (the largest such sanctuary in the USA), guests to Santa Cruz can't help but fall in love with the stunning surroundings. A closeness with nature is evident as you make your way to Santa Cruz from other tourist destinations such as Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey and San Francisco. The city is framed by and surrounded with redwood forests where vacationers on holiday can enjoy hikes, bicycling and train rides through the woods. To quench the traveler's number one thirst and sport, guests can dine on gourmet vegetarian foods, sip the locally-grown boutique wines, and stroll through villages with shopping areas in Santa Cruz, Capitola and Aptos. The many recreational activities, business and educational opportunities and perfect climate help produce a higher than average number of independent thinkers, artists and creative types who prefer less convention in their diets.
Learn more about this city
City of SANTA CRUZ, CA official site
City of SANTA CRUZ, CA chamber of commerce
City of SANTA CRUZ, CA general information
City of SANTA CRUZ, CA yellow pages
City of SANTA CRUZ, CA newspaper
County of SANTA CRUZ, CA official site
State of California official site