Where is Santa Cruz, California Located in the United States? - Santa Cruz is a city located in the Santa Cruz County in California, United States. Santa Cruz lies between 36.9741 Degrees North latitudes and -122.0308 Degrees West longitudes.
Location Map of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
About Map: The map shows the location of Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, in the U.S. state of California.
Santa Cruz Map, California, USA
About Santa Cruz Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.
About Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California
Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the northern part of the state in the state of the United States along the northern edge of Monterey Bay on the Central Coast. The city was incorporated in 1866 and was named after the Spanish mission “La Misión de la Exaltación de la Santa Cruz,” and it developed from a mission settlement into a coastal university and tourism-centered community.
Population
According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Santa Cruz is 62,956 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 4,600 people per square mile.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Santa Cruz covers a total area of approximately 15.8 square miles (about 40.9 square kilometers), including about 12.7 square miles (32.9 square kilometers) of land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 square kilometers) of water.
Location and Surroundings
Santa Cruz is situated south of Davenport and north of Watsonville, positioned between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The city features sandy beaches, coastal cliffs, redwood forests, and a vibrant downtown district. State Route 1 runs through the city, providing a major transportation route connecting Santa Cruz to Monterey and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Top Attractions
Santa Cruz offers beaches, boardwalk attractions, and outdoor recreation areas that support tourism and coastal activities. Popular destinations include the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Natural Bridges State Beach, and the Santa Cruz Wharf. The city is also home to the University of California, Santa Cruz, contributing to higher education and cultural life in the region.
Transportation
Santa Cruz is served by State Route 1 and State Route 17, offering highway access to the Central Coast and Silicon Valley. Public transportation includes regional bus services connecting the city to surrounding communities. The nearest major airport is San Jose Mineta International Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the northeast.
Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.
Sources:
Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Santa Cruz City Website.
Most Viewed US Maps
| USA Sttae Map | USA Region Map | USA Road Map |
| USA County Map | Where is USA in World Map? | US ZIP Code Map |
| USA Time Zones Map | US State and Capitals Map | USA Physical Map |
Find 4,400+ U.S. Cities by State - Explore Their Locations and Get Detailed Information
Santa Cruz City Facts
| City | Santa Cruz |
| State | California |
| County | Santa Cruz County |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Central Coast - Monterey Bay |
| Incorporated | April 29, 1866 |
| Founded | 1791 |
| Total Area | Approximately 15.8 sq mi (40.9 km2) |
| Land Area | Approximately 12.7 sq mi (32.9 km2) |
| Water Area | Approximately 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km2) |
| Elevation | Approximately 39 ft (12 m) |
| Population (2023 estimate) | Approximately 62,000+ |
| Population (2020 Census) | 62,956 |
| Population Density | Approximately 4,900 people per sq mi |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST) |
| ZIP Codes | 95060, 95062, 95064, 95065 |
| Area Code | 831 |
| Major Highways | State Route 1, State Route 17 |
| Public Transit | Santa Cruz Metro Bus |
| Major Attractions | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, University of California Santa Cruz, Natural Bridges State Beach |
| Official Website | https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/ |
Transportation and Connectivity in Santa Cruz, California
| Transportation Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | San José Mineta International Airport / Monterey Regional Airport |
| IATA Code | SJC / MRY |
| Port | Santa Cruz Harbor |
| Major Highways | State Route 1, State Route 9, State Route 17 |
| Train Service | Roaring Camp Railroads (Historic Rail Service) |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) |
- State Route 1: Major coastal highway connecting Santa Cruz with Monterey, Half Moon Bay, and other Central Coast communities.
- State Route 17: Provides access through the Santa Cruz Mountains to San Jose and Silicon Valley.
- Santa Cruz METRO: Provides local and regional bus transportation throughout Santa Cruz County.
- San José Mineta International Airport: Provides commercial air service for the region.
Top Places to Visit in Santa Cruz, California
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Beachfront Amusement Park |
| Natural Bridges State Beach | Beach and Nature Area |
| Santa Cruz Wharf | Historic Pier and Waterfront Attraction |
| University of California Santa Cruz Campus | University Landmark |
| Seymour Marine Discovery Center | Marine Education Center |
| Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park | Forest and Hiking Area |
| Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History | Museum |
| West Cliff Drive | Scenic Coastal Route |
| Wilder Ranch State Park | Historic and Natural Park |
| Seabright State Beach | Beach Recreation Area |
Driving Distances from Santa Cruz, California to Nearby Cities
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitola | California | 5 mi | 10 minutes |
| Watsonville | California | 20 mi | 25 minutes |
| San Jose | California | 32 mi | 45 minutes |
| Monterey | California | 45 mi | 1 hour |
| Salinas | California | 50 mi | 1 hour |
| Oakland | California | 75 mi | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| San Francisco | California | 75 mi | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Fremont | California | 45 mi | 1 hour |
| Santa Clara | California | 35 mi | 45 minutes |
| Sacramento | California | 130 mi | 2 hours 20 minutes |
Colleges and Universities Near Santa Cruz, California
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Santa Cruz | Public | University | Research, marine sciences, technology, environmental studies, and humanities |
| Cabrillo College | Public | Community College | Career education, transfer programs, arts, and sciences |
| California State University, Monterey Bay | Public | University | Marine science, education, business, and environmental programs |
| San Jose State University | Public | University | Engineering, business, computer science, and professional programs |
| Santa Cruz City Schools | Public | K–12 District | Primary and secondary education |
Waterbodies Near Santa Cruz, California
Pacific Ocean, Monterey Bay, San Lorenzo River, Neary Lagoon, and nearby coastal waterways throughout Santa Cruz County.
Golf Courses Near Santa Cruz
Pasatiempo Golf Club, DeLaveaga Golf Course, Seascape Golf Club, Spring Hills Golf Course, and Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club.
Santa Cruz, California — Key Historical Facts
- The Santa Cruz area was originally inhabited by the Awaswas-speaking Ohlone Native American people.
- Mission Santa Cruz was founded in 1791 as one of the Spanish missions in California.
- The city developed through agriculture, lumber, fishing, and tourism along the Monterey Bay coast.
- Santa Cruz was incorporated as a city in 1866 and became a popular coastal destination.
- The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, opened in 1907, became one of the city’s most recognized landmarks.
- Today, Santa Cruz is known for its beaches, redwood forests, surfing culture, university community, and outdoor recreation.
Stadiums and Sports Facilities Near Santa Cruz
| Facility Name | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Arena | Professional and College Sports Arena | Santa Cruz, California |
| UCSC East Field | College Sports Facility | Santa Cruz, California |
| DeLaveaga Sports Complex | Community Sports Facility | Santa Cruz, California |
| Santa Cruz High School Memorial Field | High School Sports Facility | Santa Cruz, California |
| CEFCU Stadium | College Football Stadium | San Jose, California |
References
- City of Santa Cruz Official Website
- Santa Cruz County Government
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Visit California Tourism
- University of California, Santa Cruz
California Related Links
- Where is Adelanto
- Where is Alameda
- Where is Alhambra
- Where is Aliso Viejo
- Where is Antioch
- Where is Apple Valley
- Where is Arcadia
- Where is Atascadero
- Where is Atwater
- Where is Azusa
- Where is Baldwin Park
- Where is Banning
- Where is Barstow
- Where is Beaumont
- Where is Bell Gardens
- Where is Bell
- Where is Bellflower
- Where is Belmont
- Where is Benicia
- Where is Beverly Hills
- Where is Brawley
- Where is Brea
- Where is Brentwood
- Where is Buena Park
- Where is Burbank
- Where is Burlingame
- Where is Calexico
- Where is Camarillo
- Where is Campbell
- Where is Carlsbad
- Where is Carson
- Where is Cathedral City
- Where is Ceres
- Where is Cerritos
- Where is Chico
- Where is Chino Hills
- Where is Chino
- Where is Citrus Heights
- Where is Claremont
- Where is Coachella
- Where is Colton
- Where is Compton
- Where is Concord
- Where is Costa Mesa
- Where is Covina
- Where is Culver City
- Where is Cupertino
- Where is Cypress
- Where is Daly City
- Where is Dana Point
- Where is Danville
- Where is Davis
- Where is Delano
- Where is Desert Hot Springs
- Where is Diamond Bar
- Where is Downey
- Where is Dublin
- Where is East Palo Alto
- Where is Eastvale
- Where is El Cajon
- Where is El Centro
- Where is El Cerrito
- Where is El Monte
- Where is Encinitas
- Where is Eureka
- Where is Fairfield
- Where is Folsom
- Where is Foster City
- Where is Fountain Valley
- Where is Galt
- Where is Gardena
- Where is Gilroy
- Where is Glendora
- Where is Goleta
- Where is Hanford
- Where is Hawthorne
- Where is Hemet
- Where is Hercules
- Where is Hesperia
- Where is Highland
- Where is Hollister
- Where is Huntington Park
- Where is Imperial Beach
- Where is Indio
- Where is Inglewood
- Where is Jurupa Valley
- Where is La Habra
- Where is La Mesa
- Where is La Mirada
- Where is La Puente
- Where is La Quinta
- Where is La Verne
- Where is Lafayette
- Where is Laguna Hills
- Where is Laguna Niguel
- Where is Lake Elsinore
- Where is Lake Forest
- Where is Lakewood
- Where is Lathrop
- Where is Lawndale
- Where is Lemon Grove
- Where is Lemoore
- Where is Lincoln
- Where is Livermore
- Where is Lodi
- Where is Lompoc
- Where is Los Altos
- Where is Los Banos
- Where is Los Gatos
- Where is Lynwood
- Where is Madera
- Where is Manhattan Beach
- Where is Manteca
- Where is Martinez
- Where is Maywood
- Where is Menifee
- Where is Menlo Park
- Where is Merced
- Where is Milpitas
- Where is Mission Viejo
- Where is Monrovia
- Where is Montclair
- Where is Montebello
- Where is Monterey
- Where is Monterey Park
- Where is Moorpark
- Where is Morgan Hill
- Where is Mountain View
- Where is Murrieta
- Where is Napa
- Where is National City
- Where is Newark
- Where is Newport Beach
- Where is Norco
- Where is Norwalk
- Where is Novato
- Where is Oakley
- Where is Pacifica
- Where is Palm Desert
- Where is Palm Springs
- Where is Palo Alto
- Where is Paramount
- Where is Paso Robles
- Where is Perris
- Where is Petaluma
- Where is Pico Rivera
- Where is Pittsburg
- Where is Placentia
- Where is Pleasant Hill
- Where is Pleasanton
- Where is Porterville
- Where is Poway
- Where is Rancho Cordova
- Where is Rancho Palos Verdes
- Where is Rancho Santa Margarita
- Where is Redding
- Where is Redlands
- Where is Redondo Beach
- Where is Redwood City
- Where is Reedley
- Where is Rialto
- Where is Richmond
- Where is Ridgecrest
- Where is Rocklin
- Where is Rohnert Park
- Where is Rosemead
- Where is San Bruno
- Where is San Carlos
- Where is San Clemente
- Where is San Dimas
- Where is San Gabriel
- Where is San Jacinto
- Where is San Juan Capistrano
- Where is San Leandro
- Where is San Luis Obispo
- Where is San Marcos
- Where is San Mateo
- Where is San Pablo
- Where is San Rafael
- Where is San Ramon
- Where is Sanger
- Where is Santa Barbara
- Where is Santa Cruz
- Where is Santa Maria
- Where is Santa Monica
- Where is Santa Paula
- Where is Santee
- Where is Saratoga
- Where is Seal Beach
- Where is Seaside
- Where is Simi Valley
- Where is South Gate
- Where is South Pasadena
- Where is South San Francisco
- Where is Stanton
- Where is Suisun City
- Where is Temecula
- Where is Temple City
- Where is Tracy
- Where is Tulare
- Where is Turlock
- Where is Tustin
- Where is Twentynine Palms
- Where is Union City
- Where is Upland
- Where is Vacaville
- Where is Ventura
- Where is Vista
- Where is Walnut Creek
- Where is Walnut
- Where is Wasco
- Where is Watsonville
- Where is West Covina
- Where is West Hollywood
- Where is West Sacramento
- Where is Westminster
- Where is Whittier
- Where is Wildomar
- Where is Windsor
- Where is Woodland
- Where is Yorba Linda
- Where is Yuba City
- Where is Yucaipa