Santa Cruz [key], city (1990 pop. 49,040), seat of Santa Cruz co., W Calif., on the north shore of Monterey Bay; inc. 1866. Surrounded by hills and redwoods, the city is a seaside city with many fine beaches. The huge municipal wharf (built in 1913) is one of its most popular attractions. In addition to tourism, there are electronic and food-processing industries. Agriculture flourishes in the area. Points of interest include a replica of a mission established there in 1791. The Univ. of California at Santa Cruz is there. The city sustained much damage as a result of the 1989 earthquake that hit northern California.
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