Santa Cruz County
Location and importance
Santa Cruz, lying about 70mi/115km south of San Francisco (on the CA 1), between Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains, is very popular because of its 30mi/46km of beautiful beaches. For the inhabitants of San Francisco it is the first place south of the city
where it is possible to bathe, at least in summer and autumn.
Origin
The mission of the same name was founded in 1791 above where the town now lies. In 1797 the Spaniards created the village of Pueblo Branciforte, the inhabitants of which carried out a series of robberies at the mission which led to its gradual downfall. It was the first of the 21 mission stations to be secularized in 1834.
Santa Cruz developed outwards from the Mission Plaza. Its year of founding is given as 1840, but it did not obtain its charter until 26 years later. The township was initially an important harbor from which redwood felled nearby was shipped all over the world. Gradually it became a holiday resort and spa. The long municipal pier is the only one in California with a leisure park. There is plenty of activity here all the year round. "Miss California" is chosen here every year.
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