Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz is one of four incorporated cities (the other three being Capitola, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville) making up Santa Cruz County. With its Mediterranean-like climate, abundance of sun (the sun shines an average of 300 days a year), and location on Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is perfect for surfer dudes (and dudettes), nature-buffs, and seafood-lovers alike.

Home to O'Neill and Santa Cruz Surfboards, Santa Cruz is a well-known surfing destination. And even if you're not adept at "hanging 10," you can still enjoy the surf culture – check out the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, which showcases the evolution of the surfboard and Santa Cruz's 100-year history of surfing.

If your enthusiasm for the water extends beyond the exploits of crazy humans trying to balance on flashy boards, you'll love Monterey Bay and its other inhabitants. California sea lions and harbor seals are just a couple of the types of animals protected by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a federally protected expanse of shoreline and ocean.

And you can easily catch a glimpse of these cute little creatures when walking along the Santa Cruz Wharf, which, at 2,701 feet (823 meters) in length, is the largest working wharf on the West Coast. Seafood is also easy to catch along the wharf … you can fish for your own, visit an outdoor fish market, or enjoy the service at a local restaurant.

Whether you're here for the surfing, the natural beauty of the surroundings, or the fresh seafood, you have to visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Visitors and locals alike love this 97-year-old, mile-long West Coast Treasure. Not only is it the oldest amusement park in California, it is also a State Historic Landmark. Just be sure to ride the Looff carousel and the Giant Dipper roller coaster – both are almost a century old and just as fun as they were in the past!

But don't think that Santa Cruz is only about fun and games. The citizens of Santa Cruz have their serious side as well. The prestigious University of California Santa Cruz makes its home here. And high technology is one of the major industries in Santa Cruz: many professionals from nearby Silicon Valley call Santa Cruz home.

So if you're looking for balance, come to Santa Cruz, where serious pursuits are matched with serious fun.

See our 10 Jobs in Santa Cruz, California