Santa Cruz's seaside locale and Mediterranean climate have made it a mecca for surfers, kayakers, sailors and visitors to the town's famous Boardwalk — the Coney Island of the West. Majestic redwoods and miles of bike trails lace the inland areas, and a vibrant arts and music scene flourishes year-round. It's easy to see why many students who attend UC Santa Cruz (one of the major employers as well as an educational and cultural powerhouse) are reluctant to leave.

Less visible to visitors and residents alike is the renaissance now taking place on Santa Cruz's West Side, where galleries, restaurants, bakeries, and wine bars are gaining a following. As more locals and visitors see the West Side's potential as both residential and business base, diversity and economic resilience will continue to grow.

Santa Cruz County is home to a higher-than-average proportion of well-educated, self-employed people and small business start-ups — many of whom could find a convenient, affordable and stimulating environment in this West Side location. With UC Santa Cruz's nearby engineering programs and marine research facility, among others, producing graduates who could contribute to the local economy in new ways, Santa Cruz leaders have searched for ways to keep local talent within the county.

A design and technology hub for the 21st century is brewing here on the West Side, one that incorporates the best features of old neighborhood living and Santa Cruz's unparalleled natural beauty. The new trailblazers drawn here will create a distinctive place whose features and amenities will be hard to match anywhere else on the planet.