Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 54,593. It is located on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay, about 72 mi (115 km) south of San Francisco.
The present-day site of Santa Cruz was the location of a Native
American settlement since ancient times. It was also one of the
earliest settlements of the Spanish during the exploration of Alta
California in the later part of the 1700s. During the late 1800s, after
California became part of the United States, Santa Cruz became widely
popular for its idyllic beaches and Coastal Redwoods and became a popular resort community. Now known for its alternative community lifestyles and liberal political leanings, Santa Cruz is a bastion for many sub-cultures and counter-cultures.
Economy:
The principal industries of Santa Cruz are agriculture, tourism, education (UCSC) and high technology. Santa Cruz is a center of the organic agriculture movement, and many specialty products as well as housing the headquarters of California Certified Organic Farmers. Tourist attractions include the classic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on the beach, the redwood forests, and Monterey Bay, which is protected as a marine sanctuary. The best known local high-tech companies are RF Micro Devices and Plantronics. The biotech company Santa Cruz Biotechnology,
which is focusing on research antibody reagents production is also
headquarterted in Santa Cruz. Other high-tech companies include Giro
bicycle helmets, O'Neill Wetsuits founded by Jack O'Neill, O'Neill Surf Shops, Santa Cruz Skateboards, The Santa Cruz Guitar Company, Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes,
Kestrel Bicycles, and Erik's Deli Cafe are also based in Santa Cruz.
Odwalla Juices and Good Earth Tea were founded in Santa Cruz as well.
From 1970 to present, Santa Cruz has been the home to numerous
boatbuilding companies, including Moore Brothers, Bill Lee Yachts,
Wilderness Boats, Alsberg Bros. Boats, C&B Boats, and Pacific
Yachts. A common theme amongst these builders was the influence of
lightweight surfboard construction using foam and fiberglass, and the
result was the creation of the ULDB (ultralight displacement boat).
Classes such as the Santa Cruz 27 and 52, Moore 24, Olson 30,
Wilderness 21, Monterey Bay 30, and custom boats like Merlin showed
that exciting, fast, and seaworthy boats could be made out of materials
far lighter than was common in that time. While many of these builders
have closed, Santa Cruz Yachts and Moore Bros. still exist.
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