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Santa Cruz

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At the top of the Monterey Bay crescent, Santa Cruz shines like an emerald between expansive beaches and dense redwood forests. With a population that barely tops 64,000, Santa Cruz belies her small-town size with big personality and endless possibilities for recreation and entertainment. Home to the University of California (UCSC) and Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz has a vibrant youth culture that keeps the community unique and progressive while still retaining a warm neighborhood feel.

Outdoors

Blessed with mild weather and a gorgeous coastline, Santa Cruz has lured surfers, boaters, hikers, and bikers for decades. Bursting at the seams with parks, beaches and open spaces, Santa Cruz County is one of the most beautiful places to find yourself outside.

Food and Local Agriculture

One of the five branches of Chinese Medicine is nutrition, and Santa Cruz makes it easy for you to find fresh, wholesome, local food at many restaurants, cafes, and health food stores. Nearby farms are represented at several farmers’ markets located throughout the city, featuring fresh organic fruits and vegetables, locally caught seafood, artisan cheeses, fresh flowers and more.

Health and Wellness

To complement your Chinese medicine studies and enhance your personal growth, Santa Cruz offers an abundance of wellness resources.  You can nourish your body and soul at a meditation and yoga center, attend classes at a traditional martial arts or Qigong studio, get a relaxing massage, or enjoy a peaceful afternoon at an Asian teahouse.

Arts and Entertainment

The creative denizens of Santa Cruz have made sure your experience here is steeped in art of every persuasion. Museums, art galleries, theater and dance troupes will keep your cultural calendar overflowing with options. Thanks to a thriving local music scene, you can enjoy music every night of the week. Downtown hosts a lively shopping district with bookstores, boutiques, restaurants, and movie theaters catering to locals and visitors alike. The historic Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, home of the world-famous Big Dipper roller coaster, is a seaside amusement park that has been a family destination for over 100 years.