Will February surpass January for Santa Cruz, Monterey & the Bay Area? (click on title)

WATSONVILLE, California

Take a tour of Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley.

The City of Watsonville, California is located just miles from the beach in the heart of Monterey Bay's Pajaro Valley. With a population exceeding 51,000 residents and covering nearly seven square miles, Watsonville is a thriving mid-size community.

Recreation
Watsonville is a well-renowned small community offering copious parks, Wetlands, a vibrant downtown, annual parades and festivals, and plenty of outdoor options through the City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department. Country Home magazine has gave Watsonville a spot in the top 10 Best Green Places to live in 2008. According to the Second Annual Report, Watsonville is the Most Eco-Friendly of Cities and Towns. It is also home to many habitat areas that serve as sanctuaries for the endangered Santa Cruz Tarweed.

Residents enjoy participating in family events, team sporting events, and workshops, including the popular Environmental Science Workshop for children. Residents can also enjoy live music at the annual Skate Park Band Night.

Watsonville is truly an environmentally-aware outdoor community that encourages outdoor appreciation through the use of its parks and outdoor events.

With a wide array of options to choose from, residents can stay busy throughout the year. Air show anyone? Or how about the Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival at Watsonville?



Education
There are two colleges in Watsonville - Center for Employment Training and Waynes College of Beauty. The city has four public high schools, two private high schools, more than nine public elementary and middle schools, and three private elementary and middle schools. There is also one library: the Watsonville Public Library.

Demographics
There are about 51,000 people in about 12,000 households in Watsonville, and the city grows at a quick pace.

Did you know...
Watsonville is also famous for being close to the epicenter of the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta 7.1 earthquake. The earthquake destroyed 850 dwelling units and 100 commercial and industrial buildings. The earthquake caused over $35 million in damage and more than 1,400 people were recorded as unemployed immediately following the earthquake.

Watsonville has made great strides in recovering from the earthquake with new housing, commercial and public buildings replacing those damaged in 1989. Some of the earthquake recovery projects include: the Henry J. Mello Performing Arts Center, the Gene Hoularis and Waldo Rodriguez Youth Center, the Porter Building, the Romo Building, the Petroutsas Building, the Watsonville Discount Mall, the Beach Street Parking Garage, La Posada multi-family residential project, and St. Patrick's Church.