Many of you have heard about Santa Cruz, but many of you do not understand the history of Santa Cruz. Here you can learn a thing or two about this. Santa Cruz is a part of California. Just like much of the United States, before the Europeans came to settle the area, the Native Americans owned the land. The tribe that owned what is current day Santa Cruz is known as the Ohlone tribe. However, during the 18th century, Europeans came to settle the land.

In 1769, a Spanish explorer came to the area. This explorer was known as Gaspar de Portola. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He just happened to the area. His initial goal was to end up in Monterey. There are many things that he had named such as the San Lorenzo and the hills that are above the river he had named Santa Cruz. This was the twelfth area of California to be founded. The Spaniards had much control and even had moved a troop unit here. In 1820 though, Mexico was in control of most of California at the time. After that, many immigrants came to America.

By 1848, there were many Mexicans who had immigrated here. They had started the Mexican-American war here. During that time, Mexico had ceded California. This was covered in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In 1850 then, California became a state. This was the first portion of this territory that was created into being a state. There are many things which have happened since then. They first legalized marijuana for medical purposes. They support their veterans. They have an activist Veteran community that supports those who have served the armed forces.

There are many recent things which have happened as well. Just during this year, you will find that there was a tsunami this year. They had a lot of damage which cost them ten million dollars worth of repair. There was much damage to some of the boats that was docked there as well. However, that didn’t hurt them and people still find this to be one of them areas that one must travel to. There is much history and for that they have a lot to show for it. This is what you have come to find out and you will love to visit here.

There are countless fun things to do in Santa Cruz. It is considered one of the top beach towns in all of California, and is a fantastic place to spend a weekend. From sunbathing to fabulous local cuisine, Santa Cruz is the best place to relax and enjoy life in California.

The most famous of all places in Santa Cruz is the world renowned Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It has been featured in many films, such as “The Lost Boys”, and has been one the most visited tourist attractions year round. The Boardwalk is free to enter, allowing you to come and go as you please. It is host to many attractions, from the infamous Big Dipper to lesser known rides and games. The Big Dipper is a very old wooden roller coaster ride, and has been exciting thrill seekers for generations. There are also many nice candy stands where one can get a caramel apple or the classic salt water taffy. The salt water taffy along the pier is considered to be one of the best in the world.

Just along the pier, one can enjoy the lucrative beaches and ocean. No matter what, you want to look stylish, so it’s advisable to keep up with the latest beach fashions! You are free to sunbathe all day or take a swim inside the perfect salty water. If you go a little further past the Boardwalk, you will find Cowell’s beach. Cowell’s beach is a great location for surfers who may be just beginning, as it is a friendly and safe area to try the sport out for the first time. If you are heading down to the beach, be sure to protect your eyes from the dangerous UV rays. Sunglasses would be ideal for this problem, you could even do a one for one deal and give one to your friend as a gift. A Some of the other surf zones are reserved for locals and those who are more experienced, but do not be afraid to venture out and try them for yourself!

While in Santa Cruz, make sure to check out the Mystery Spot. Located atop a beautiful hiking trail, the Mystery Spot is an isolated shack full of wonder and mystery. It features gravity defying feats and a funhouse type vibe that will be sure to leave an impression on you for days. It has cult like status and is a sight certainly not to be missed. Plus, the ticket to enter and parking will only cost you around ten dollars. This is more than worth an hour long tour plus wonderfully scenic hiking.

If you go into the old town of Santa Cruz, you can find many fine theaters and cafes. Lots of old style movie theaters will play classic films at midnight, plus newer attractions alike. There are also many clubs for live music, such as the Catalyst. Along the strip you will find various diners and cafes. Many of these are great when looking for a simple coffee or a fine dining cuisine. The seafood is especially outstanding when in Santa Cruz.

There is a never ending supply of fun things to do in Santa Cruz. From going to the beach to late night dining, Santa Cruz offers everything you could want out of the California lifestyle.

The housing market has been through some drastic changes in the last several years, but if you are looking to purchase (or if you already own) a home, here are some of the best places to own a home in Santa Cruz, California.

As of 2010, Santa Cruz’ population reached over 55,000 people, which is a 2% growth from the year 2000. With a cost of living more than 45% higher than the U.S. average and an unemployment rate over 1% lower than the U.S. average, Santa Cruz can be considered one a well-off and therefore lucrative place to own a home.

Click here for affordability calculators for homes in Santa Cruz.

The multiple unincorporated municipalities in Santa Cruz each offer their own advantages and disadvantages which should be considered:

Santa Cruz city: The city itself is famous for the beach and as a college town. University of California at Santa Cruz is here, and the city has been dubbed “Surf City, USA.” While universities can sometimes lower home values, in this case the beach and nationally renowned university make this a fun, exciting, and well-known place to buy and own a home.

Capitola: Home of the historic Venetian Hotel, Capitola has the first Condominium Beach Community in the United States. The largest age group is between the ages of 25 and 44 (prime home buying age), and only 2% of families in Capitola were below the poverty line in 2000.

Scotts Valley: Also known as Silicon Valley South as it is the high tech capital of Santa Cruz. For a home owner who works in the tech industry, Scotts Valley is an ideal location, granting many benefits of Silicon Valley itself, but reaping the advantages of a lower population and population density.

San Lorenzo Valley: This luscious mountain and forest area is prime for real estate development. The beautiful San Lorenzo River runs through the valley and home owners here will find themselves surrounded by beauty and opportunities for development, while the luxury of city life is only miles away.

Santa Cruz is far from lacking when it comes to best places to own a home. For best places to own a home in Santa Cruz, it will be important for the buyer to determine specific desires (tourism and beaches vs. the seclusion of nature) and research accordingly. Despite recent national economic struggles, however, home buyers will find that owning a home in Santa Cruz is still both viable and lucrative. Whether you are looking for wealth or beauty, it can be found in Santa Cruz.

As technology grows, we discover more ways to preserve and protect our planet. But what does it really mean to go-green? Helping to reserve mother Earth has evolved into much more than recycling as people embrace nature and do their part to keep our fragile eco balance intact.

Advancements in biodiesel fuel will contribute to an enormous reduction in fossil fuel emissions and air pollution rates. Biodiesel fuel is nontoxic, biodegradable and created without the use of petroleum. Creating this fuel will save billions of dollars that can be put toward better use. Scientists have begun studies with algae and find it to be a plausible energy source. Lots of money is involved in conservation, in some states, there is even a conservation tax that penalizes companies for being heavy polluters. With the thousands of different types of algae there are this could become a limitless gain to science and the environment.

Changes are quickly developing that will soon become a new way of life. Teaching the importance of environmental conservation to children is a first step to securing a healthier future. Classrooms worldwide have become eco friendly not only with products they use, but with the lessons that are being taught. Schools have started recycling more than just paper products and many have children help in recycling and grounds keeping to show how to properly take care of waste and value the work that goes into keeping schools clean.

Even our homes have become a source of inspiration. Chemicals have become safer, which not only helps your family but also cleans without being as harsh to surfaces. Everyday items such as toilet paper, light bulbs, clothes, batteries, soaps, water, and air purifiers have all undergone drastic changes to help meet the new standard of eco friendly. If your house is very green friendly, you might be able to qualify for some environmental tax credits. These tax credits could play a big role in deciding whether or not you should file an IRS extension. As the world strives for a new level of healthy for ourselves, we seek new ways to downsize our carbon footprints.

Endangered species and other wildlife have suffered due to human hands in the past. Today more awareness has been brought to preserving natural habitats than ever before. Together we can create a world that is healthy not only for us but for animals as a whole. Giving back some of their territories is a start in the right direction as people begin rebuilding wild animals’ lost shelters. Maintaining different areas such as deserts, wetlands, rain forests, and plains will keep the healthy balance needed.

Unfortunately, many natural disasters also create unsafe areas and contribute to the loss of lives. Remodeling after a natural disaster can take years and truly put our efforts to the test. Salvaging what is left afterwards and using it for a better tomorrow can at times seem impossible. Despite our many growing efforts you cannot always prepare for the worst. Striving for a brighter tomorrow is how we conserve for the future.

Saving money is becoming common for families across the world. Two resources most people are not willing to go without are electricity and water. There are plenty of ways to reduce these bills with a few simple changes in your lifestyle.

Electricity is used everywhere you go, and in your home it is no different. However, being more conscious of your usage can drastically reduce your monthly bill. Being conservative with lights is a great place to start. Always turn the lights off when you leave a room and use CFL (compact fluorescent) light bulbs, which use less energy and last longer than standard bulbs. Keep your thermostat at a reasonable level. In the winter, keep it close to 65 and bundle up with sweaters and blankets. In the summer, keep it close to 75 and use ceiling fans if possible. Covering windows with plastic and drapes will also help keep the home insulated. Unplug electronics that are not in use, such as toaster, phone chargers, VCR, computer, etc. Using your dryer for laundry uses a lot of electricity and you can drastically reduce your consumption by line drying your clothes. Hanging them outside in nice weather is great, but you can also hang them indoors year round.

To conserve water, there are plenty of steps you can take. First of all, make sure you don’t have any leaky faucets as these can get costly rather quick. Putting a large rock or a 20-ounce plastic bottle filled with water in the tank of your toilet can cut down on the water used when flushing. Using to much toilet paper also uses more water because of using multiple flushes. Consider getting a bidet toilet seat, to find one visit here.  Low-flow shower heads and taking short showers can cut costs daily. Collecting rain in rain barrels for watering your lawn, garden, or just washing your car can also help out.

Saving money on your bills by being conservative is great, but you are also helping to reduce your environmental footprint. All of the things you may to do save money are in turn, being green. Just being conscious of your consumption of these resources can set you on the right path to being conservative with energy and money.

Natural resources are anything that naturally occurs on our planet. This means that they are not manmade and that once depleted most cannot be duplicated by man and if they can be reproduced it can be a lengthy process of renewal.

Natural resources can fall into several categories including renewable and non-renewable, biotic and abiotic, potential and actual resources, and inexhaustible and exhaustible resources. Examples of resources that can be classified into one of those categories include mineral fuels, wood products that are derived from trees and resources such as the air, wind, and sunlight. Junk mail is something that we can cut down on. Junk mail uses paper and it’s something else that’s made from trees. To find out more, read about the environmental effects of junk mail.

It is because natural resources cannot be easily reproduced by man, that it is important that they be conserved wisely. While we utilize many natural resources for our enjoyment, there are many resources that mankind needs in order to sustain life and this is why it is vital to conserve our resources.

Examples of need to conserve resources in order to have them to meet our future needs are bountiful. An example of this would be a farmer that is working to prevent soil erosion. If he doesn’t protect the natural resource of soil, then the ground would hit a point in which he could longer grow crops. If natural resources are not conserved them eventually the demand for natural resources will not be able to be met and therefore the quality of life will begin to diminish due to the fact that we no longer have the resources that supply our needs.

Without natural resources, humans will not be able to sustain life. While we have found the technology needed to create computers, cars, and cell phones we have not and probably will not find a way to replenish nonrenewable natural resources such as soil, fossil fuels, and water. Those resources that we can replace such as trees can take years to properly replenish so it is vital that we also take the steps necessary to protect natural resources as well.

The reasons of why resource conservation is important have been given and you may wonder what role you can play. There are many simple steps that you can take in your daily life to help conserve such as recycling items such as aluminum and newspapers, taking a shower instead of a bath to save water, and changing your households light bulbs to those that are labeled energy efficient.

By making small changes and working together to protect our natural resources, we can protect our planet and leave it healthy for future generations.