7 Reasons to Move to Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, CA may get less attention than some popular zip codes on the California coast, but incredible year-round weather, limitless beaches, and an inviting community make life in this seaside gem worth considering. 

Owning a home in Santa Cruz means access to the best things California has to offer at a more peaceful pace. There are many reasons to relocate to Santa Cruz, but we’ve compiled the most commonly quoted reasons below. 

Reasons to move to Santa Cruz

• Year-round beachside fun
• Natural beauty and outdoor adventure 
• Dining and drinks
• Access to the Bay Area and the Central Coast
• Seaside luxury and charming neighborhoods
• Community and mental health 
• Unique history

Year-round beachside fun

Santa Cruz’s Mediterranean climate is mild all year, with temperatures rarely exceeding 75 degrees in the summer. During the winter, the daytime temperature is usually 60 degrees and rarely drops below 45 degrees. 

With over 260 sunny days a year, the weather is perfect for exploring the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a beachside amusement park founded in 1907. Popular weekend activities also include dining on The Santa Cruz Wharf or strolling through The Arboretum & Botanic Garden at the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

Visitors and locals alike also travel back in time on Roaring Camp Railroads which offers two scenic rides on antique steam engine trains. One route weaves through the redwoods while the other departs from the mountains and arrives at the boardwalk. 

Natural beauty and outdoor adventure 

Santa Cruz’s stunning, sea-blown bluffs line Monterey Bay’s northern shores, where West Cliff Drive allows people of all ages to journey along the sandstone seawalls, often cloaked in a blanket of wildflowers. Here, visitors can sometimes spot sea lions and orcas from the colorful cliffs. 

Claiming the nickname "Surf City", Santa Cruz is home to world-renowned waves for both amateur and seasoned surfers. The watersports don’t stop with surfing, as residents also partake in fishing, diving, sailing, and kayaking. 

Santa Cruz County boasts over 14 state parks and beaches, the most beloved being Natural Bridges State Beach. Though the beach only features one natural stone arch, it once boasted three that weathered over the last century. 

Santa Cruz is surrounded by accessible natural beauty on every side. A 20-minute drive can take adventurers to ancient redwoods, endless secluded beaches, or stunning peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

Dining and drinks

Santa Cruz offers a spectrum of locally-owned cafes, restaurants, and breweries for every meal of the day. 

Pacific Avenue is lined with breakfast options and Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting is the town’s namesake, perfecting its craft since 1978. 

Named after Santa Cruz’s famous surf spot, Steamer Lane Supply is ideal for afternoon snacks like the kimchi dog or poke bowl, perfect for carrying to the neighboring beach. 

The Oswald Restaurant is one of Santa Cruz’s fine dining havens, inspired by ingredients sourced from California’s central coast. Patrons can dine on sherry-steamed mussels or braised rabbit while contemplating rotating exhibitions of local artists. 

Following dinner with a visit to one of Santa Cruz’s breweries or wineries is as simple as traveling a few blocks. Folks at the Birichino Winery Tasting Room will be able to show you photos of the vineyard your wine comes from. At the nearby Woodhouse Brewing & Bending, you can test a flight of beers next to the wooden barrels they were aged in. 

Access to the Bay Area and the Central Coast

While Santa Cruz is a modest city, its location guarantees easy access to some important locations along the California coast.

For work, Santa Cruz residents commonly make the 40-minute commute to San Jose along Route 17. Similarly, the Bay Area is about one hour and fifteen minutes away via Route 1, making it relatively close when the need arises. 

As the tech, finance, and healthcare industries increasingly allow for working from home and flexible scheduling, these commutes become more feasible. 

Aside from work, weekend trips to San Francisco, Big Sur, and the many picturesque towns along Monterey Bay serve as optimal getaways from Santa Cruz. 

Community and mental health 

Santa Cruz should be a breath of fresh air for anyone looking to build a tight-knit community. For many, that community comes in the form of like-minded residents who enjoy similar hobbies. 

Newcomers are apt to make friends in one of the town’s many yoga studios, in between waves while surfing, on the greens of the golf course, or simply spotting whales from the shore. 

For those who prefer to make friends by night, the Roxa Hammock Cafe is one example of downtown’s openhearted atmosphere. Here, a maze of hammocks replaces traditional seating and encourages honest conversation. 

The Santa Cruz Wellness Center is yet another example of Surf City’s dedication to mental wellbeing and community, with a host of healthcare practitioners specializing in both alternative and traditional healing practices. 

Unique history

The endearing spirit of Santa Cruz owes much of its magic to the past. In 2014, Giancarlo Thomae discovered the fossilized molar of a Megalodon in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. This would've been one of the ocean’s fiercest predators 3 million years ago, and a precursor to the many whales off the coast today. 

The city also claims the first written record of surfing in North America when three Hawaiian princes introduced the sport in 1885 on handmade surfboards. 

In modern times, Santa Cruz continues its historical legacy with the Giant Dipper, California’s oldest roller coaster. Constructed in 1924, it has been operating for nearly 100 years. 

Seaside luxury and charming neighborhoods

Whether you’re looking to settle into a hillside home or want a beach house for the summer, local real estate in Santa Cruz has something for everyone. 

There’s an array of homes for sale in Santa Cruz on both sides of the San Lorenzo River. Spanish Colonial, single family homes with terracotta roof tiles, and pastel colored single story houses tell the story of one of California’s first beach towns. 

Oceanside houses range from luxury dream homes with sweeping views of the Pacific, to 1960s and 70s ranch homes that have been remodeled to quaint perfection. Whether you’re purchasing near Seabright Beach or West Cliff Drive, you’ll never be more than a few minutes from the crashing waves.

Whether you’re casually perusing open houses or your real estate agent is comparing the 2022 MLS listings and you’re ready to buy something soon, the CA, 95060 is a beautiful place to call home. 

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