Located along the northern edge of the Monterey Bay and south of San Francisco, lies the blissfully peaceful Santa Cruz County, known for its moderate climate, native wildlife, and excellent educational institutions. Its vibrant downtown area is bursting with locally owned shops and organic gourmet dining and serves as the city’s main cultural center. Attractions such as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Monterey Bay Aquarium help attract hundreds of people to this beach-bordered town and the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) is one of the most respected colleges in Northern California. Santa Cruz prides itself on having some of the best surfing waves in the world and is home to the Surfing Museum and the Santa Cruz Wharf.