61-560: Coast Dairies is a state park in Santa Cruz County, California , near the city of Davenport . It is managed as part of Wilder Ranch State Park , which is south of the park. The new public lands protect a seven-mile (11 km) stretch of coastline and about 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) of prime coastal lands. The beaches, which can be challenging to access, are tied together by the California Coastal Trail , which runs along
122-472: A female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.25. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
183-600: A resource for navigating labor law through the Economic Justice Alliance of Santa Cruz County, a local organization that educates community members on issues of "sustainable wages and working conditions." In 2002, the National Association of Realtors reported that Santa Cruz was the most unaffordable place to live in the United States. This statement remains true with 2017 data that shows that Santa Cruz
244-421: A rift between the two cities. The death toll of the smallpox epidemic lead to the local press publishing of the latest remedies available for home use as well as methods to prevent the spread of smallpox and inoculations . By 1872, Claus Spreckels , a sugar millionaire, began buying the land from Castro. He built a hotel near the beach and a summer mansion and ranch with a racetrack for his horses. A large area
305-575: A rising concern to local politicians, who have proposed parking restrictions to discourage short term renters. Rent control has been attempted as a policy in Santa Cruz three times between the 1970s and 1980s, but it never passed. National policies since the 1980s have deregulated rental markets, which decreased the rights of tenants and exacerbated frustrations for renters all across the country as well as in Santa Cruz. 27% of surveyed Santa Cruz County renters experience "overcrowding" in their homes, which
366-524: A series of test flights pilot Daniel J. Maloney was able to demonstrate the control and flight of the Montgomery glider design. These flights, with starting altitudes over 3,000 feet above the ground, were the first high-altitude flights in the world. A marker was placed at this location in 2005 honoring the centennial of these accomplishments. After Spreckels' death, Seacliff Park and Rio Del Mar Country Club (today's Seacliff State Beach ) were developed in
427-429: A small stream, which has about four varas of deep running water. It has on its banks a good growth of cottonwoods and alders; on account of the depth at which it runs it may be that it cannot be utilized to water some plains through which it runs." Crespi diary translator Herbert Bolton speculated that the location was Soquel Creek, but it could have been Aptos Creek. In 1833 the government of Mexico granted Rafael Castro
488-467: A surplus labor area by the U.S. Department of Labor. A surplus labor area has an unemployment rate 20% higher than national unemployment. As of 2024, Watsonville city was still on this list. 10% of jobs in Santa Cruz County are food producing/processing jobs. These employees make less than an average of $ 10 an hour. As of 2003, 21% of residents work outside of Santa Cruz County. This is down form
549-487: Is a public general aviation airport. There are two air carriers based at the airport offering on-demand air charter: There is a notable private airport, Monterey Bay Academy Airport , which is a former military base. The nearest airports for scheduled commercial travel include San Jose International Airport , Monterey Regional Airport , San Francisco International Airport , and Oakland International Airport . Aptos, California Aptos ( Ohlone for "The People")
610-755: Is an unincorporated town in Santa Cruz County, California , United States. The town is made up of several small villages, which together form Aptos: Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley , Aptos Village, Cabrillo, Seacliff , Rio del Mar , and Seascape. Together, they have a combined population of 24,402. Aptos was traditionally inhabited by the Awaswas tribe of Ohlone people. The name is one of only three native words that have survived (in Hispanicized form) as place names in Santa Cruz County (the others are Soquel and Zayante ). The first European land exploration of Alta California ,
671-486: Is described as when there is more than one person per room of a house, which includes all rooms not just bedrooms. One of the constraints on Santa Cruz's development are environmental protections. The restrictions on land prevent development from responding to housing and employment demands, which is an issue particularly politically relevant in the Watsonville jurisdiction. This conflict between residents wanting to protect
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#1732883449016732-543: Is land and 162 square miles (420 km ) (27%) is water. It is the second-smallest county in California by land area and third-smallest by total area. Of California's counties, only San Francisco is smaller by land area. The county is situated on a wide coastline with over 29 miles (47 km) of beaches. It is a strip about 10 miles (16 km) wide between the coast and the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains at
793-755: Is north of Davenport, California ). Additionally, there is a "Cañada del Ciervo" ( ciervo is Spanish for elk ) close to the boundary between Rancho de los Corralitos and Rancho San Andrés , near the present-day Larkin Valley Road. This "Elk Valley" place name was given by José Antonio Robles who rode down, roped, and killed elk there in 1831. Lastly, elk remains dating from the Middle and Late Periods in Northern California were found in at least four late Holocene archeological sites in Santa Cruz County, all coastal: SCR-9 ( Bonny Doon site) and SCR-20 (Brown site) on
854-489: Is the least affordable county for renters. In Santa Cruz County, 60% of residents rent and a median monthly rent is $ 3000. UCSC's No Place Like Home Project reports that in Santa Cruz County, 2.5 minimum wage jobs would be needed to afford renting a 2 bedroom apartment. UCSC's "No Place Like Home" project identifies four main rental markets: agricultural workers, UCSC students, Silicon Valley tech workers, and short term vacation rentals. Short term rentals in particular have been
915-563: The 30th Assembly District , represented by Democrat Dawn Addis . In the United States House of Representatives , Aptos is in California's 19th congressional district , represented by Democrat Jimmy Panetta . Aptos is home to both the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and Seacliff State Beach California state parks. Hidden Beach has a playground and a path that leads to
976-557: The Bureau of Land Management bought a 5,800 acres (2,300 ha) tract of land on the inland side of the highway adjacent to the coastal parcels. Some of the land east of the highway will continue to be used for farming, but most became the Cotoni-Coast Dairies unit of California Coastal National Monument . Santa Cruz County, California Santa Cruz County ( / ˌ s æ n t ə ˈ k r uː z / ), officially
1037-676: The California Central Coast , south of the San Francisco Bay Area region. The county forms the northern coast of the Monterey Bay , with Monterey County forming the southern coast. Santa Cruz County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850 at the time of statehood. In the original act, the county was given the name of " Branciforte " after the Spanish pueblo founded there in 1797. A major watercourse in
1098-615: The County of Santa Cruz , is a county on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California . As of the 2020 census , the population was 270,861. The county seat is Santa Cruz . Santa Cruz County comprises the Santa Cruz– Watsonville , CA Metropolitan Statistical Area , which is also included in the San Jose – San Francisco – Oakland , CA Combined Statistical Area . The county is on
1159-633: The Great Depression and World War II. In the early 1960s Aptos began a period of rapid development, including Cabrillo College , Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, the Seascape Resort development, and many residential developments. In 2020s, Microsoft named a new Windows font after this community. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Aptos as a census-designated place (CDP). The census definition of
1220-698: The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 ( Tabor, p.167-169 ). School districts include: Unified: Secondary: Elementary: Santa Cruz County is served by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District bus system. An Amtrak Thruway "Highway 17 Express" bus between Santa Cruz and San Jose is jointly operated by Amtrak , the SCMTD and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . Watsonville Municipal Airport
1281-653: The Santa Cruz Railroad , and routed it through Aptos where they both had development interests - Hihn with the Loma Prieta Lumber Company, and Spreckels with his Aptos Hotel resort. The railroad tracks ran directly adjacent to the Santa Cruz Watsonville road, whose route was originally established by the 1769 Spanish exploratory expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá . In 1878 Augustia Castro, daughter of Rafael Castro, and her husband José Arano built
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#17328834490161342-542: The State Assembly , Santa Cruz County is split between the 28th , 29th and 30th Assembly districts, represented by Democrat Gail Pellerin , Democrat Robert Rivas and Democrat Dawn Addis , respectively. In the State Senate , Santa Cruz County is entirely within the 17th Senate District , represented by Democrat John Laird . The following table includes the number of incidents reported and
1403-561: The ZIP codes 95001 and 95003. The 2010 United States Census reported that Aptos had a population of 6,220. The population density was 978.9 inhabitants per square mile (378.0/km ). The racial makeup of Aptos was 5,420 (87.1%) White , 58 (0.9%) African American , 43 (0.7%) Native American , 247 (4.0%) Asian , 8 (0.1%) Pacific Islander , 175 (2.8%) from other races , and 269 (4.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 611 persons (9.8%). The census reported that 98.7% of
1464-453: The census of 2000, there were 255,602 people, 91,139 households, and 57,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 574 people per square mile (222 people/km ). There were 98,873 housing units at an average density of 222 units per square mile (86 units/km ). There were 91,139 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 10.2% had
1525-422: The poverty line , including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over. Santa Cruz County residents tend to be well-educated. 38.3% of residents age 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree at least, significantly higher than the national average of 27.2% and the state average of 29.5%. Santa Cruz County was a Republican stronghold for most of the 19th and 20th centuries; from 1860 through 1980
1586-519: The 1769 Portola Expedition near the mouth of the Pajaro River both on the way north on October 6, and on the way south on November 25. Later, elk were also described by nineteenth century American hunters. They were also described in Santa Cruz County by Jlli tribelet Awaswas Ohlone people , who utilized elk along with pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) and lived on the Jarro Coast (El Jarro Point
1647-497: The 28% outside employment rate of 1989. The agriculture businesses are significant enough to be prominent in local politics, where they influence issues of water, pesticide use, and labor. There are mandated living wages for Santa Cruz county, and individually in the cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz. These occurred after The Santa Cruz Living Wage Coalition campaigned to set up ordinances. The low wage sector of Santa Cruz experiences workplace abuse. Data from 2015 show that in
1708-455: The 6,656-acre (26.94 km ) Rancho Aptos . Initially Castro raised cattle for their hides, but after California became a state in 1850, Castro leased his land to Americans who built a wharf, general store, and lumber mill. The original town was located where Aptos Village Square is now. In 1853 a leather tannery was built, and the main building is a bed & breakfast inn . In 1875, Frederick A. Hihn and Claus Spreckels partnered to build
1769-457: The Spanish Portolá expedition , passed through the area on its way north, camping at one of the creeks on October 16, 1769. The expedition diaries don't provide enough information to be sure which creek it was, but the direction of travel was northwest, parallel to the coast. Franciscan missionary Juan Crespi , traveling with the expedition, noted in his diary that, "We stopped on the bank of
1830-599: The Victorian, Bayview Hotel in Aptos village. The hotel is a Santa Cruz County landmark. It is Santa Cruz county's oldest operating hotel. It has been a State Historic Monument since 1974 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1993. Since being originally built, the hotel was moved to its current location. In the mid to late 1800s, a series of major epidemics hit the area. A particularly bad one occurred in
1891-523: The area is limited in contrast to the local understanding of the area with the same name. The population of the CDP was 6,220 at the 2010 census . The CDP has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km ), all land. The southwestern geographical boundary is Monterey Bay , while the northeast boundary is the Santa Cruz Mountains . Aptos is bisected northwest-to-southeast by the State Route 1 freeway and includes
Coast Dairies State Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
1952-402: The average family size was 2.78. In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 19.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males. The median income for a household in the CDP
2013-520: The census of 2000, there were 9,396 people, 4,055 households, and 2,428 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,339.6 inhabitants per square mile (517.2/km ). There were 4,486 housing units at an average density of 639.6 per square mile (247.0/km ). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.38% White , 0.56% African American , 0.65% Native American , 2.39% Asian , 0.11% Pacific Islander , 2.49% from other races , and 3.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.97% of
2074-436: The coast of Santa Cruz County. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. Santa Cruz County borders four other counties: San Mateo to the northwest, Santa Clara to the north and east, Monterey to the south, and San Benito with a small border to the south. The county of Santa Cruz has experienced demographic fluctuations in recent history. Between 1990 and 2000,
2135-472: The county, Branciforte Creek , still bears this name. Less than two months later, on April 5, 1850, the name was changed to "Santa Cruz" ("Holy Cross"). Mission Santa Cruz , established in 1791 and completed in 1794, was destroyed by the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake , but a smaller-scale replica was erected in 1931. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 607 square miles (1,570 km ), of which 445 square miles (1,150 km )
2196-437: The county, 38% of Agricultural workers have experienced overtime pay violation, 14% of tipped workers reported tips stolen by their employers, and 50% of service sector workers reported violations on receiving breaks. It is California law for employers to make written workplace policies available. However, in a county wide survey, 30% of workers reported that they did not receive an employee handbook. Service sector laborers have
2257-401: The crisis that was exacerbated by UCSC growth and Silicon Valley encroachment. Debates about land use in Santa Cruz were particularly important after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake , which destroyed the central business district of Santa Cruz and led to the loss of an estimated 2,000 jobs. Already contentious debates about land were present in the area due to its large tourism industry and
2318-551: The early winter of 1868. Cases of smallpox were reported among the poor of San Juan Bautista . Efforts were made to localize the rapidly spreading disease, such as, barricading the roads leading in and out of San Juan Bautista. These efforts failed however, and when cases appeared in Watsonville , Santa Cruz citizens attempted to again quarantine the disease by destroying the Aptos Bridge. These efforts again failed and only created
2379-422: The environment and those wanting more housing is also racially divided, as most residents favoring environmental protection are white, while the population on the side of developing housing is more heavily Latino. A 2010–2011 report by a Santa Cruz County grand jury states that Watsonville had no policy for assessing environmental hazards, and would give out land use and building permits without any investigations of
2440-494: The environmental conditions of the land in question. One of the housing solutions that residents have resorted to is the occupation of accessory dwelling units. Commonly known as "mother-in-law" units, these secondary housing spaces on residential property used to be illegal to build. In 2002, Santa Cruz leaders changed the law and encouraged construction with affordable mortgages. The goal was to contain urban sprawl while still finding housing alternatives for residents in light of
2501-726: The festival, including B.B. King , Buddy Guy , John Lee Hooker , Ray Charles , Leon Russell , Los Lobos , Gregg Allman , the Doobie Brothers , Bonnie Raitt , and Al Green . Cabrillo College is a two-year community college in Aptos. Aptos has three public elementary schools: Valencia Elementary, Rio Del Mar Elementary, and Mar Vista Elementary. It also has one junior high school, Aptos Junior High School, and one high school, Aptos High School . Private schools include Santa Cruz Montessori School, Orchard School, and Twin Lakes Christian School. Aptos Academy,
Coast Dairies State Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
2562-533: The late 1920s. Rio Del Mar Country Club included a clubhouse, a grand hotel on the bluffs, a beach club, a polo field, and a golf course. The estuary was filled in (now Rio Beach Flats) and the SS Palo Alto cement ship was moored and converted into an amusement pier with restaurants, swimming pool, and a dance pavilion. Both Rio Del Mar and Seacliff were popular during Prohibition as drinking and gambling were discreetly available. These amusements were interrupted by
2623-473: The next industry. The Hihn Apple Barn is a historic building from that era; in 2016-2017, the building had been relocated nearby to be used as a grocery store and make way for a shopping complex. On March 16–20, 1905, the Leonard Ranch near La Selva was the site of experiments with a new tandem-wing glider designed and built by John J. Montgomery . Hoisted aloft by hot-air balloon to considerable heights, over
2684-421: The north coastal land comprises relatively flat terraces that end at steep cliffs like those shown in the photo below. Santa Cruz County is home to the following threatened or endangered species : Historically, tule elk ( Cervus canadensis nannodes ) were native to the coastal grasslands of Santa Cruz County. Elk, sometimes confused with bison , were initially described by Miguel Costansó in his diary of
2745-409: The northern end of the Monterey Bay . It can be divided roughly into four regions: the rugged "north coast"; the urban City of Santa Cruz , Soquel , Capitola , and Aptos ; mountainous Bonny Doon , San Lorenzo River Valley ; and the fertile "south county", including Watsonville and Corralitos . Agriculture is concentrated in the coastal lowlands of the county's northern and southern ends. Most of
2806-489: The ocean. Nisene Marks is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. The San Andreas Fault Zone passes nearby and the epicenter of the M6.9 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake lies within. Aptos is also home to the annual Fourth of July "World's Shortest Parade," so called because the parade route is about 0.6 miles (1 km) long. Aptos Park is the site of the annual Aptos Blues Festival. Several well-known performers have performed at
2867-407: The only Democrats to carry Santa Cruz were Woodrow Wilson in 1916, Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and 1936, Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, and Jimmy Carter in 1976. However, the opening of UCSC in 1965 caused the county's political landscape to dramatically change. Today, it is a strongly Democratic county in presidential and congressional elections. The last Republican to carry the county
2928-505: The political elite and economic elite were monopolizing control over the rebuilding movement. According to Santa Cruz County's 2020-21 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the county are: Winemaking —both the growing of the grapes and their vinting—is an important part of the economic and cultural life of Santa Cruz County. The wines of the David Bruce Winery and Ridge Vineyards were selected for tasting in
2989-541: The population increased by 11.3%. This is primarily because of new births, rather than immigration or migration. The 2010 United States Census reported Santa Cruz County had a population of 262,382. The racial makeup of Santa Cruz County was 190,208 (72.5%) White , 2,766 (1.1%) African American , 2,253 (0.9%) Native American , 11,112 (4.2%) Asian , 349 (0.1%) Pacific Islander , 43,376 (16.5%) from other races , and 12,318 (4.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 84,092 persons (32.0%). As of
3050-489: The population lived in households and 1.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters. There were 2,549 households, out of which 686 (26.9%) had children under the age of 18 living, 1,353 (53.1%) were married couples living together, 192 (7.5%) had a female householder with no husband present, 95 (3.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 142 (5.6%) unmarried . 665 households (26.1%) were made up of individuals, and 268 (10.5%) had someone living alone who
3111-405: The population. There were 4,055 households, out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and
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#17328834490163172-403: The rate per 1,000 persons for each type of offense: In the 19th century, Santa Cruz's economy was based on milling lumber, making lime cement from limestone, and tanning leather. By the mid 19th century, Santa Cruz was the second largest manufacturing area in the state. As natural resources depleted, tourism became the more important economic sector in the area. In 1989, Santa Cruz was named as
3233-431: The relatively new UCSC campus, but after the quake both private interests and public servants had a stake in how rebuilding would go. This led to a necessary compromise, a public-private partnership that debated the how to rebuild the pacific garden mall space, with considerations of green space, timely implementation, and supporting local business and economy. Many constituents felt left out of this process, and reported that
3294-411: The top of the bluff. The beaches are Sharktooth, Bonny Doon, Yellow Bank, Laguna Creek, and Panther, although many of these beaches also go by other local and historic names. The coastal lands on the ocean side of Highway 1 were donated to California State Parks in 2006, but remain undeveloped. The state park land spans a five-mile (8.0 km) segment of Highway 1 north and south of Davenport. In 2014,
3355-694: The western slope of Ben Lomond Mountain , SCR-93 (Sunflower site) a coastal terrace on the north shore of the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz , and SCR-132 ( Scott Creek site) 4 miles inland. Pronghorn antelope ( Antilocapra americana ) remains were found at the SCR-20 (Brown site) on the western slope of Ben Lomond Mountain dating to about 1500 A.D. Año Nuevo State Marine Conservation Area , Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area and Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve are marine protected areas off
3416-519: Was Ronald Reagan in 1980 , and the last Republican to win a majority in the county was Richard Nixon in 1968 . The last Republican to represent a significant portion of Santa Cruz in Congress was Burt L. Talcott , who was defeated in 1976 by Leon Panetta . Santa Cruz County is split between California's 18th and 19th congressional districts, represented by Zoe Lofgren ( D – San Jose ) and Jimmy Panetta ( D – Carmel Valley ), respectively. In
3477-530: Was $ 61,843, and the median income for a family was $ 73,515. Males had a median income of $ 51,848 versus $ 40,050 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $ 33,210. About 2.5% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over. In the California State Legislature , Aptos is in the 17th Senate District , represented by Democrat John Laird , and in
3538-410: Was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 53,998, and the median income for a family was $ 61,941. Males had a median income of $ 46,291 versus $ 33,514 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 26,396. About 6.7% of families and 11.9% of the population were below
3599-471: Was 46.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males. There were 2,711 housing units at an average density of 426.7 per square mile (164.7/km ), of which 75.6% were owner-occupied and 24.4% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 0.8%. 75.2% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 23.5% lived in rental housing units. As of
3660-415: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41. There were 1,640 families (64.3% of all households); the average family size was 2.86. The population was spread out, with 1,150 people (18.5%) under the age of 18, 436 people (7.0%) aged 18 to 24, 1,342 people (21.6%) aged 25 to 44, 2,189 people (35.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,103 people (17.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
3721-476: Was fenced and stocked with deer for hunting, and became known as "the Deer Park," home of today's Deer Park Center. From 1880 to 1920 redwood timber harvesting became the major industry, and Aptos became a boom town. The Loma Prieta Lumber Company logged all of what is now The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park . The Valencia Mill logged everything to the east. Within 40 years the hills were bare, and apples became
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