Home › California › Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

Located in Santa Cruz County, California, Santa Cruz was founded in 1791. UC Santa Cruz's mascot is the Banana Slug. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the oldest amusement park in California.
Trending in Santa Cruz
Latest updates coming soon
2 hours ago
More local news on the way
5 hours ago
Founded 1791 | Population 65,000 | Peak 65,000 (2024) | County Santa Cruz County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Santa Cruz, California

undefined
1791 Mission: Spanish mission founded.
undefined
1924 Higher Education: Educational institutions helped define Santa Cruz's character and economy.
undefined
1965 UC Santa Cruz: University opens.
undefined
1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake: 6.9 quake devastates area.
undefined
2010 Modern Era: Santa Cruz continued to develop as part of the region, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
🧠
How Well Do You Know Santa Cruz?
5 questions • 2 minutes
Take the Quiz →

Latest News in Santa Cruz

May 4, 2026
Wheel of Fortune Contestant Misses Out On $61,000 Over This Tough Puzzle
A Wheel of Fortune contestant saw $61,000 slip away in the Bonus Round last week, leaving fans stunned over what many called one o…
Apr 20, 2026
Dead or Missing Scientists Pose “National Security Threat,” Top House Republican Warns as Oversight Committee Launches Probe
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has declared a series of deaths and disappearances involving at least 11 Am…
Apr 18, 2026
Trump’s Psychedelic Pivot: Executive Order Accelerates Review of Mind-Altering Drugs for Mental Health Crisis
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday directing federal agencies to fast-track the review and potential app…
Apr 16, 2026
White House Signals Review of Mysterious Deaths and Disappearances Among U.S. Scientists in Sensitive Fields
The Trump administration has indicated it will examine a cluster of unexplained deaths and disappearances involving at least 10 Am…
Apr 14, 2026
California’s “Stop Nick Shirley Act”: Privacy Measure or Assault on Investigative Journalism?
California lawmakers advanced a controversial bill Monday that critics have dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” raising sharp …
Apr 11, 2026
Sexual Assault Probe and Staff Revolt Threaten to End Congressman’s California Gubernatorial Bid
Rep. Eric Swalwell’s once-promising campaign for California governor has unraveled with breathtaking speed. In little more than …

Complete Historical Timeline

1791 Culture
Mission
1924 Culture
Higher Education
1965 Culture
UC Santa Cruz
1989 Disaster
Loma Prieta Earthquake
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
UC Santa Cruz's mascot is the Banana Slug.
2
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is the oldest amusement park in California.
3
The Giant Dipper roller coaster has been running since 1924.
4
Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz County, California.
5
Santa Cruz was founded in 1791.

Famous People from Santa Cruz, California

AS
Adam Scott
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Apr 3, 1973 · Age 52
MM
Marisa Miller
Model · Born Aug 6, 1978 · Age 47
BG
Beverly Garland
Actor, Television Actor · Born Oct 17, 1926 · Died Dec 5, 2008 (age 82)
LR
Luke Rockhold
Thai Boxer, Judoka · Born Oct 17, 1984 · Age 41
OT
Oliver Tree
Singer, Record Producer · Born Jun 29, 1993 · Age 32

Other Cities in California

View all California cities →
LA
Los Angeles
Pop. 3,898,747
SD
San Diego
Pop. 1,386,932
SJ
San Jose
Pop. 1,013,240
SF
San Francisco
Pop. 873,965
F
Fresno
Pop. 542,107
S
Sacramento
Pop. 524,943
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep Santa Cruz's history right.