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Old 07-14-2010, 11:19 AM
 
Location: Monterey Bay, California -- watching the sea lions, whales and otters! :D
1,918 posts, read 6,784,224 times
Reputation: 2708

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Santa Cruz made the list of the "Best Places for the Rich and Single!!" Best places for the rich and single - Santa Cruz, CA (25) - Money Magazine

Whether you love or hate California, many of the most desirable places are in California. It's a gorgeous state and when people aren't bashing it, it has much to offer. So, a positive link to a hidden jewel of California: Santa Cruz. I get tired of the California bashing, so I'm posting this along with some links to this area. If you want to experience the California lifestyle and beach town atmosphere, mixed in with gorgeous mountains and redwoods, this is the place. By the way.....I'm not one of the "rich," but I still live here! If I can do it, anyone can!!

It seems like Santa Cruz, in the middle of the state on the Central Coast, is often overlooked because of San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. It's a hidden jewel of California. Monterey, nearby, is much, much smaller with much less to do – and cold, foggy weather – while Santa Cruz, on the other side of the Monterey Bay is much sunnier and warmer. Yet, one often hears about Monterey, but not Santa Cruz, which is much bigger and offers more. Anyway, I found it interesting, and as I've been a big supporter of this area for a long time (as some of you know), I'm posting some links to interesting places around here. There's a reason Santa Cruz is noted for nice things. Every place has its pros and cons, but it's nice to see Santa Cruz get some positive attention nationally.

Any other postives of the Central Coast (Santa Cruz area) you'd like to add that are great to visit, or just hang out in? There's so much here, like the Kuumwa Jazz Center Kuumbwa Jazz - A Nonprofit Jazz Concert and Education Organization Since 1975, to the University of California Santa Cruz, the whales that travel through, and the amazing and numerous places to hike and walk along the Pacific Ocean. I'm not one of the wealthy, but there is still a wealth of things to do here, and although the list was for "rich," I think more in terms of the richness of the environment. So, no bashing on this thread, please, there are plenty of other threads for that! Thanks!


The Wharf with Boardwalk in the background. The Wharf is where you get the Stagnaro's boat for the tour of the Monterey Bay.

Roaring Camp Railroads | Felton, California | Santa Cruz County (http://www.roaringcamp.com/index.html - broken link) -- Roaring Camp with a gorgeous redwood walk and steam engine train that goes from the mountain redwoods and drops you right off in front of the Beach Boardwalk -- round trip! Wonderful place!!!

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Millions of Memories at California's Beachfront Amusement Park What can I add? Lots of food, fun, rides, beach, music, games, and tons to do.

Natural Bridges State Beach - Santa Cruz, California Natural Bridges State Park is also the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary on the west coast. It is a beautiful, beautiful beach with tide pools where you can touch sea anemones, take a walk through the Monarch Butterfly sanctuary area, visit the ranger's station, go swimming....and then go walking along the coast on West Cliff Drive, up to the Surfing Museum and lighthouse!!

Santa Cruz Harbor Wonderful spot to eat, sit on the beach, watch the pelicans wander around, see the sailboats -- Wednesday nights are the sailboat regattas. Great restaurants, just really nice to wander around in. Great beach right there!

City of Santa Cruz : Santa Cruz Wharf The Santa Cruz Wharf is wonderful, too. The sea lions often number in the hundreds and rest on the pilings beneath it. You can get up close and see them and the baby sea lions; pelicans sit on the pier and often people take photos next to them; lots of shops and restaurants, and you may catch an event on the wharf that day, too. Free fishing off the wharf, in full view of the Boardwalk, and there's a great bay tour for an hour (and inexpensive) with Stagnaro's. Stop at Marini's Candies and get some chocolate covered bacon! Yes, it IS good -- tastes like caramel! http://www.mariniscandies.com/produc...eredBacon.aspx Park on the wharf and then walk to the Boardwalk!!

Last edited by Bo; 07-14-2010 at 02:43 PM.. Reason: Moved from General US... single city/state rule
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Old 07-14-2010, 12:48 PM
 
Location: a bar
2,723 posts, read 6,111,377 times
Reputation: 2979
Spent a Memorial Day weekend out there a few years ago. It's a beautiful town indeed.
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Old 07-14-2010, 12:58 PM
 
Location: Monterey Bay, California -- watching the sea lions, whales and otters! :D
1,918 posts, read 6,784,224 times
Reputation: 2708
Hey, thanks, Cliff! It does have a lot going for it, but, unfortunately, with so much California bashing, it gets lost in the shuffle. Thanks again!
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Old 07-14-2010, 02:31 PM
 
Location: Oak Park, IL
5,525 posts, read 13,948,017 times
Reputation: 3908
Ha, my town (Oak Park, IL) was ranked #13.
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Old 07-14-2010, 03:39 PM
 
Location: Monterey Bay, California -- watching the sea lions, whales and otters! :D
1,918 posts, read 6,784,224 times
Reputation: 2708
Quote:
oakparkdude: Ha, my town (Oak Park, IL) was ranked #13.
I noticed that! I have a friend there (I just say he's from Chicago, but it's Oak Park). Thanks! I love that area, too!
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Old 07-15-2010, 02:59 PM
 
Location: Oregon
1,181 posts, read 3,807,144 times
Reputation: 609
It's definitely on my list of top 3 places I'd love to live for awhile. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of manufacturing/tech/aerospace etc types of jobs there though (please correct me if I'm wrong!). I did find a few out in Scott's Valley. I have to stay in the general vicinity of where I'm at for about 2 more years, but after that who knows. Looks like everything I'd love to have in a place to live. Beach, trees, farmers markets, a good university nearby................................. Sigh. Love to be there now.
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Old 07-15-2010, 04:30 PM
 
Location: Monterey Bay, California -- watching the sea lions, whales and otters! :D
1,918 posts, read 6,784,224 times
Reputation: 2708
Quote:
KarlaT2: It's definitely on my list of top 3 places I'd love to live for awhile. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of manufacturing/tech/aerospace etc types of jobs there though (please correct me if I'm wrong!). I did find a few out in Scott's Valley. I have to stay in the general vicinity of where I'm at for about 2 more years, but after that who knows. Looks like everything I'd love to have in a place to live. Beach, trees, farmers markets, a good university nearby................................. Sigh. Love to be there now.
Scotts Valley is very close to Santa Cruz, so you can easily live in Santa Cruz and work in Scotts Valley -- it's only about a 15-minute drive to Scotts Valley from Santa Cruz.

Also, many people who live in Santa Cruz also work in San Jose. The Hwy. 17 Express bus is very popular. There is a park-and-ride in Scotts Valley to leave your car and catch the bus to San Jose, or one can go to the downtown Santa Cruz bus depot and catch the Hwy. 17 Express, although there is no park-and-ride there. It's $4.00 each way by bus, or you can risk your life driving your car over-the-hill, but I, personally, won't do that! I prefer the bus, which is comfy and also has wifi.

So, you could easily live in Santa Cruz and work someplace in Silicon Valley! Lots of people do that here! It is possible to live out your dream!
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Old 07-15-2010, 06:32 PM
 
Location: West LA
2,318 posts, read 7,844,245 times
Reputation: 1125
Wow, lots of the top 25 are California cities!

1. Newport Beach
5. Irvine
6. Milpitas
7. Sunnyvale
8. Mountain View
10. Santa Clara
12. Redondo Beach
15. San Jose
18. San Rafael
19. Davis
23. Santa Monica
25. Santa Cruz

Surprised for the LA area that Manhattan Beach isn't on the list.
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Old 07-15-2010, 10:53 PM
 
Location: Monterey Bay, California -- watching the sea lions, whales and otters! :D
1,918 posts, read 6,784,224 times
Reputation: 2708
Quote:
LASam :Wow, lots of the top 25 are California cities!

1. Newport Beach
5. Irvine
6. Milpitas
7. Sunnyvale
8. Mountain View
10. Santa Clara
12. Redondo Beach
15. San Jose
18. San Rafael
19. Davis
23. Santa Monica
25. Santa Cruz
I know, I was surprised, too! With all the California bashing that goes on, looks like it's not such a bad place to be!!
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Old 07-15-2010, 11:23 PM
 
Location: Denver
9,963 posts, read 18,496,447 times
Reputation: 6181
Newport @ 1 and Santa Cruz @ 25? then ....Santa Clara @10?

Newport and Santa Clara? For single people? I don't get it, Newport is mainly old people with no style at all and Santa Clara is a family suburb. Mountain View is #8?...I am sorry but I think this list is crap, I understand it is all about finding a "sugar daddy" but who wants to be single in #5 Irvine?1!?

I love California but this is a horrible list.
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