City of Santa Cruz

The City of Santa Cruz is the largest city in Santa Cruz County, California, and the county seat. It sits on the northern edge of Monterey Bay and is known for its beaches, surf culture and historic landmarks. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 62,956. The settlement dates to 1791, when Spanish missionaries founded Mission Santa Cruz. The town was incorporated on March 31, 1866, and received its first charter as a city in April 1876. The city is also home to the University of California, Santa Cruz, established in 1965, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, created in 1904.