Where is Santa Cruz, California, U.S.

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, 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.

Area and 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.

Attractions and Recreation

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.

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Distance from Santa Cruz, CA to Nearby Cities

• Capitola, CA – 6 miles (10 km)
• Scotts Valley, CA – 7 miles (11 km)
• Aptos, CA – 10 miles (16 km)
• Watsonville, CA – 18 miles (29 km)
• Los Gatos, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
• Campbell, CA – 25 miles (40 km)
• San Jose, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
• Milpitas, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• Mountain View, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• Sunnyvale, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• Palo Alto, CA – 40 miles (64 km)
• Fremont, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
• Gilroy, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• Salinas, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
• Monterey, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
• Seaside, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
• Santa Clara, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
• Redwood City, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
• San Mateo, CA – 50 miles (80 km)
• San Francisco, CA – 75 miles (121 km)

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