The Greater Watsonville Area

 

 

From its reawakening downtown and diverse residential neighborhoods to its endless beaches and redwood forests, Watsonville is a city with its feet in two worlds. A rich history and vibrant, diverse culture make this city of 50,000 unique in the county — but it’s also a city at the cutting edge of agriculture and technology. Watsonville boasts some of the county’s most interesting outdoor recreational opportunities, including the hiking trails of Mount Madonna and Hecker Pass, and the world-class birding in the Watsonville wetlands. It’s also a cultural epicenter, hosting some of the county’s best festivals and events, including the Strawberry Festival, the Santa Cruz County Fair, and the Obon Festival. Watsonville is also growing. Commercial developments like the one around the municipal airport are infusing the region with new energy and excitement. Meanwhile, new residential developments are increasing supply.

 

 

On the periphery of Aptos lie two uniquely different communities. First, the sleepy, unincorporated region of Corralitos exists between Aptos and Watsonville. A rural area known for its agriculture of apples and strawberries, Corralitos is also celebrated for its Corralitos Market and Sausage Co., a rural crossroads where residents gather for live music and great food. Larkin Valley is rolling horse country. Larger homes on ranch-sized pieces of property line this Western dream of a neighborhood.

 

 

Perhaps best known for its iconic independent radio station KPIG 107.5, Freedom, California is roughly one square mile and has 3,000 permanent residents. Centrally located between Watsonville, Corralitos, and Larkin Valley, this tiny burg with a big reputation is a quick trip to the redwoods and the ocean thanks to its strategic positioning along Highway 1.