Santa Cruz cuisine is all over the map - literally. Far from being pigeonholed into standard Cali fare, chefs across the area seem to abide by an unwritten code.
Santa Cruz's moderate climate and proximity to San Francisco make it ideal for entertainment and growth. Mountains, parks and beaches give people plenty of places to play, and the city showcases its surfing culture and local food in museums and festivals. Tourism, agriculture and education are major economic contributors, and the University of California at Santa Cruz serves as a top employer and major attraction. In fact, the university's arboretum ranked on our Top 10 Gardens to Inspire list.