Santa Cruz(Holy Cross)

Santa Cruz, a city situated on the northern part of the Monterey Bay is located across the Bay from Monterey. Present day Santa Cruz was originally a Spanish settlement in 1791. During that time they founded many local sites like Mission Santa Cruz which is located next to Holy Cross Church and the Villa de Branciforte which was the last of only three secular pueblos founded by the Spanish colonial government of Alta California. Before the Spanish the Santa Cruz area was home to the Awaswas Indians. They were one of the eight Costanoan tribes that lived in Santa Cruz County ranging from Davenport to Rio Del Mar. During the Civil War, Santa Cruz was the home of the California Powder works which produced blasting powder for the California mines and also produced smokeless powder used in the rifles and canons in which was supplied to the US Navy Pacific and Asiatic fleets.

During the late 20th Century, Santa Cruz was known for it’s Social Activism. The founding of UCSC in 1965 increased the activism drawing in the liberals and the progressives. Santa Cruz was one of the first cities to test the states marijuana courts in court. Also Santa Cruz was the first city to decriminalize Psilocybin Mushrooms and a slew of other substances that were on the Federal Schedule 1 substance list.

One bit of information that I find interesting about Santa Cruz was about the Municipal Wharf here. It original purpose was to ship potatoes to San Francisco for the mining Camps in the Sierra Nevada during the Gold Rush. The wharf was also used by the local Italian fishing families to harvest their catch of the day. These fishing families came from the Genoa region of Italy and settled here for the fishing. Names such as Ghio, Stagnaro and others still adorn the Municipal Wharf to this day.

Growing up in Santa Cruz I’ve watched this city change quite a bit. The city government really hasn’t changed from their liberal views but the crime has gotten worse for sure. There were times during the 80’s that me as a kid could go ride our bike around the neighborhood and not get the risk of getting caught in the crossfire of a drive by shooting. The gangs are starting to migrate from the Beach Flats and Watsonville to Santa Cruz. Drug deals and the homeless problem has grown more prevalent in certain parts of the city. If you go out after dark you better be careful due to a chance of getting robbed or mugged. The neighborhood I live in is not so bad yet but if you live in the Ocean Street area and downtown area the chances grow.

I’ve divided the city into 3 different sections. These sections are Eastside, Downtown and the Westside. I know locals will tell me that there are more neighborhoods than that like but those seem to be the major areas.

The Eastside ranges from the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor to about the Ocean St area. This area which includes Soquel Ave and Water St is home to many restaurants such as Lillian’s on the corner of Seabright and Soquel to small independently owned clothes stores and coffee shops. I was raised in this area and have see lots of changes such as stores going out of business. The Eastside is home to the NHS which manufactures a lot of Skateboard gear and clothes. This is where the Famous Santa Cruz Logo comes from. Some areas of the Eastside is quiet but as you get closer to the Beach Area by the Boardwalk it gets shadier. For example at the end of Seabright by the Railroad tracks is a known area for drug dealing. Businesses such as Whole Foods, which used to be a Lucky’s is located on the Eastside. Some people would refer to this area as Midtown.

Downtown would refer to the Ocean St area to Mission St. This area is known for street musicians and more small businesses. There is also a movie theatre down there. This movie theatre is the biggest in Santa Cruz(I think probably the only one). These days you can’t even go into the theatres due to the Covid 19 virus. I know many people who would agree with me saying that the Downtown area has the most visible homeless. Up the hill from Downtown is the Mission Santa Cruz and Holy Cross Church. Those buildings are very historical to Santa Cruz. It was this area that had a lot of damage during the 89 Earthquake but since has been built back up again. As a kid I remember seeing the craters from where the old buildings were built years after the Earthquake.

The Westside of Santa Cruz is located from Mission St to Wilder Ranch. This area including the cliffs above Steamers Lane are known for their surfing. Many locals surf this area(West Cliff Drive.) The Santa Cruz Lighthouse and Surfing Museum is also located on West Cliff Drive. Sometimes there are Surf contests held out at Steamers Lane. One for example is the O’Neil Cold Water Classic brings in surfers from around the world to compete in the cold water of the Monterey Bay. Natural Bridges, a park at the end of West Cliff Drive is home to the monarch butterfly during the winter time. There are also tidepools that you could venture out to see along the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. Like I mentioned before , Wilder Ranch is located out on the West Side. This park is a must if you are a Mountain Biker. There are miles and miles of back-wood trails that loop from the sea to the forests above the park.

One area that I haven’t mentioned is the Beach Flats. This is the area adjacent to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Beach Boardwalk is a must for the tourist. It combines the beach and a seaside carnival with rides and lots of yummy food. Rides such as the Giant Dipper and Loggers Revenge tower over the beach. There is also an arcade on the site with dozens of arcade style games including a shooting gallery and a Miniature Golf Course on premise too. One word for the wise, don’t venture into the neighborhood surrounding the Boardwalk. This area is known area for Gangs, drive by shootings and drug deals and will leave you dead or injured. Not saying it will happen, but it’s very dangerous.

As I have shown you Santa Cruz is a very nice City to visit but it does have it bad side. Don’t be the next victim. Stay Safe, Stay Smart

Later

Joe