Santa Cruz Research Paper

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The city of Santa Cruz, originally named San Lorenzo, was discovered in 1769 by the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà. The city continued to expand and eventually became known as Santa Cruz, meaning "Holy Cross", in honour of the local mission. By the 1820s Mexico had assumed control of the area and Americans began to arrive in great numbers over the next thirty years. California became a state in 1850, and Santa Cruz County was created as one of the twenty-seven original counties.

By the turn of the century, the agricultural, logging, lime processing, and commercial fishing industries all prospered in the area. Santa Cruz also became a prominent resort community, due to its scenic beauty and mild climate, and today it is well-known for water-sports such as surfing, paddling, sailing, diving and swimming. It is reputedly the site of the first surfing in California, when, in 1885, three Hawaiian princes - …show more content…

For those looking for an alternative to surfing or skating, other outdoor sports such as cycling, camping, hiking, and rock climbing are also popular in the area. The Santa Cruz Wharf is known for fishing, viewing marine mammals and other recreation. The city provides many great opportunities for butterfly watching and ornithology. Santa Cruz also has the Historic Downtown Retail District, which features numerous theatres, galleries, shops and boutiques.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California's oldest amusement park and a designated State Historic Landmark. It features one of the oldest wooden rollercoasters still in use in the US as well as numerous modern attractions. It has been owned and operated by the Santa Cruz Seaside Company since 1915. Entrance to the Beach Boardwalk is free, but rides cost between

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