Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley

Strawberry fields and apple orchards provide a gorgeous backdrop that welcomes visitors. The Pajaro Valley – which can be seen from the summit of Mount Madonna – includes the communities of Corralitos, Freedom, La Selva Beach, Pajaro, Royal Oaks, Pajaro Dunes, and Watsonville.

A variety of options awaits; from an early morning bird watching excursion to an afternoon at a u-pick farm or museum, sunset stroll on an expansive beach or attending a signature festival. Watsonville play hosts to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds which provide year round festivities including the annual fair, car races, horseback riding competitions, and private events.

Admire the expansive acres of produce as you drive through the region and marvel at the very place where fertile soil and mild climate yield some of the nation’s finest produce.

Spend your vacation (or staycation) lazing the days away on a south county beach. Manresa State Beach invites you to bring your four-legged friend on leash and enjoy a walk, run or a lazy day in the sunshine. Enjoy a picnic near the top of the bluff at the tables provided for panoramic views of both the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Monterey Bay. Here, you can drive by scenic Pajaro Dunes Resort – a Watsonville based strand of beachfront vacation rentals with breathtaking views and up-close opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitat. This beach is ideal for spotting wildlife both on the land and sea. During the early spring, Snowy Plovers begin to hatch along Manresa State Beach, which can be seen from a safe distance on the sand.