Where can you find 2,000-year-old redwood trees, a beach boardwalk, the home of banana slugs, and some of the best real estate for sale? Right here in Santa Cruz County, of course.

Santa Cruz County is the nature enthusiast’s dream destination. The county is just north of Monterey Bay and includes a generous coastline of popular beaches. Acres of tree-filled mountains reveal breathtaking waterfalls along their seemingly endless trails. And stretches of vineyards, wineries, shops and restaurants make the windy drive up Highway 17 worth it every time.

Santa Cruz County boasts above average high school and college graduation rates, and the title city’s university makes the county, in many ways, a college town. University of California, Santa Cruz has an enrollment of over 14,000 students and is the county’s top employer. Cabrillo, the local community college, matches UCSC with its own high enrollment number. From K-12, there are 10 school districts made up of over 75 schools and 18 adult education programs, which makes finding the best school for your little ones or yourself a fairly safe bet.

Locals and tourists alike are intrigued by the county’s culture as well. It is at once free-spirited yet seriously impassioned, which breeds a cool eccentricity. But, living here will cost you. Homes for sale in Santa Cruz County are some of the more expensive in the Bay Area due, in part, to the beautiful location itself. The cost of living is also notably higher, which makes purchasing real estate in this area a big, and often pricey, decision.

But naturally, you can’t talk about Santa Cruz County without mentioning the weather. And just as you’d expect, it’s absolutely perfect for all the outdoor activities the county has to offer. Find fresh produce at farmers markets in Aptos, Live Oak or Watsonville; shop and dine at Capitola Village & Wharf; ride the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz; or surf high tides at Pleasure Point Beach.

Whatever you do here, you’re sure to enjoy. Find homes for sale in Santa Cruz County today.

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