Proposals for the Porter Building located in Downtown Watsonville

The City of Watsonville is seeking proposals from qualified parties to purchase or lease the historic Porter Building, located in the heart of Watsonville’s downtown commercial core area.

The property located at 280 Main Street is adjacent to both the historic Fox Theater, as well as the City’s Civic Plaza, housing the City’s administrative operations, the library and the Court’s Superior Court system.

This is an exciting time for Downtown ...

Business Spotlight

The City of Watsonville features local businesses in a bimonthly Business Spotlight on the City website. Are you interested in having your business featured?

The City of Watsonville features local businesses in a bimonthly Business Spotlight on the City website. Featured businesses are those that have chosen Watsonville as their home and whose story highlights the benefits of locating in Watsonville. ...

Search for Properties

If you're looking for a home for your next start-up business or relocating, Watsonville has the real estate you need. Discover Watsonville, you'll be glad you did!

Watsonville has Opportunities for your business

Watsonville has the space you need for your business.  From Downtown Retail to large industrial sites, we have you covered.  Watsonville also offers fast permitting and a one-stop shop for a...

3rd Healthiest, Happiest City in America

Santa Cruz-Watsonville was selected as the 3rd Healthiest, Happiest City in America! According to the Gallup-Healthways State of American Well-Being 2016.

We're excited to share that Santa Cruz-Watsonville was voted the 3rd Healthiest, Happiest City in America by the Gallup-Healthways State of American Well-Being 2016 Community Rankings. The report measures how residents of 189 United States cities...

Everyone in Watsonville Counts!

The Census is so much more than just a head count. It helps determine how much money communities receive for the critical resources that children and families will depend on for the next 10 years.

It is important to count all children, but those under the age of five (5) are often missed, particularly when they don’t live in the same home as both parents. When newborn babies and young children are not included in the census, support for p...

Public Art Grant Program

In an effort to increase the creation of public art displays within the City, we are proud to announce the release of the grant guidelines and application to fund four (4) Public Art Projects.

The purpose of the grant program is to provide artists an opportunity for personal and community reflection, promote the City’s attributes and enhance its image for the enjoyment and benefit of the community. 

The City of Watsonville is ...

Moveable Murals Ribbon Cutting & Public Art Announcement

Movable Murals, a collaborative project of Pajaro Valley Arts and the City, provides a venue for artists and community groups to showcase large-scale paintings to be enjoyed by all.

Movable Murals, a collaborative project of Pajaro Valley Arts and the City of Watsonville, provides a venue for artists and community groups to showcase large-scale paintings in a public setting, visible to and enjoyed by all who pass through Watsonville....

Update - Roache Road Sewer Replacement Project

Progress continues on the Roache road Sewer Replacement Project. Read the complete update for this project.

Progress continues on the Roache Road Sewer Replacement project. The Contractor anticipates that trenching will be completed within the next few weeks, followed shortly thereafter by trench paving restoration to complete the project.

As a reminder, working...

Officers track down & return tricycle stolen from disabled elderly man

Officers tracked down a tricycle that was recently stolen from a disabled senior citizen

It wasn’t easy but after days of investigating, our officers managed to track down a tricycle that was recently stolen from a disabled senior citizen.

Unfortunately, the trike was found in the slough in three pieces. So, several Watsonville Police officers...

Proposals for the Porter Building located in Downtown Watsonville

The City is seeking proposals to purchase or lease the historic Porter Building, located in the heart of downtown's commercial core area. Please note due to the holidays & interest, the RFP deadline has been extended.

UPDATE: Due to the holidays and interest in the Porter Building, the RFP deadline has been extended to Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 3 pm. The property located at 280 Main Street is adjacent to both the historic Fox Theater, as well as the City’...

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Have you ever wondered how prepared are you for a natural disaster?

The City of Watsonville has recently embarked on developing a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to identify potential natural disasters in our community.    

Remember to attend one of our upcoming community planning meetings.

Your input is impo...

Vision Zero Action Plan 2019

Review the most updated Vision Zero Action Plan and give us your feedback. Feedback/comments will be accepted until December 20, 2019.

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. City Council approved the implementation of Vision Zero in the City of Watsonville at its January 16, 2018 me...

Officers visit fields to provide farmworkers information and guidance

It's part of “Agua con la Chota” or “Water with a Cop” program

Watsonville Police Officers are meeting face-to-face with some of the hardest working people in the community as part of an outreach program aimed at helping farmworkers.

The department’s “Agua con la Chota” or “Water with a Cop” program provides Ag worker...

Update - 10/28/19 - FULL ROAD CLOSURE

Full road closure on Green Valley Road between Struve Slough & Carey Ave. 10/26/19 to 10/31/19

10/28/19 UPDATE

Ask the Wizard

Not sure how to properly dispose of something? Visit and use our new web application to find out if a material can be reused, recycled, composted or disposed.

The City of Watsonville Public Works and Utilities Department is proud to announce the release of their new recycling web-application, the Watsonville Waste Wizard.  This new digital tool will assist residents who currently receive garbage collec...

Watsonville PD Officers raise $3,500 for local kids with cancer

They raised $3,500 for local kids with cancer.

Wow, our officers truly amaze us every day! 

They raised $3,500 for local kids with cancer. The Watsonville Police Officers’ Association presented a check to Jacob’s Heart during their annual Kidrageous Carnival at the city plaza this past weekend...

Watsonville Police Officers grow beards to help children with cancer

The department suspended its “facial hair” policy for its annual fundraiser

For the fourth year in a row, dozens of Watsonville Police Officers are growing out their beards to support local children with cancer.

The department suspended its “facial hair” policy for its annual fundraiser to raise awareness about pediatric...

Familia de la Costa Central cae víctima de secuestradores virtuales

Una familia de la Costa Central vivió una verdadera pesadilla vacacionando en México

Una familia de la Costa Central vivió una verdadera pesadilla vacacionando en México y ahora esa familia está compartiendo su historia para evitar que otros caigan víctimas de una extorción que va en aumento.

Se trata de un secuestro virtual y el FBI conti...

Central Coast family falls victim to virtual kidnappers

A vacation in Mexico turned into a living nightmare for a Central Coast family

A vacation in Mexico turned into a living nightmare for a Central Coast family and now that family is sharing their story to keep others from becoming victims of an extortion that’s on the rise.

It’s called a virtual kidnapping and the FBI continues to war...

WPD Officers now equipped with body-worn cameras

This is a project that has been in the works for about two years

The Watsonville Police Department has officially rolled out its body-worn camera program with about 95% of uniformed personnel trained.

All officers on patrol are equipped with Axon body-worn cameras.

“If an officer comes to see you for a call for service o...

City of Watsonville Roll Out Safety Campain

The City of Watsonville and the Watsonville Police Department have joined forces to launch a campaign designed to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists in certain areas of the city.

The first focus area is the Main St. corridor, which is one of the busiest roadways in Watsonville. Crews have lined the street with banners that provide roadway safety tips and reminders for community members. The area has officially been designated a sa...

Music in the Plaza

June 20 - Sept. 19
Thursdays 6-8pm

Jun 20- Banda Zirys & Fiera Nortena

Jul 11- Tribute to Selena w/ Impacto 5

Jul 25- Beat Street Band

Aug 8- Motown, R&B, Oldies 70's

Aug 22- Zebop! Tribute to Santana

Sept 5- Latin Tropical & Salsa

Sept 19 - Santa Cruz Symphony

Library Closed
for Winter Holiday

The Watsonville Public Library and the Freedom Branch Library will be closed on December 23rd - December 25th and December 30th - January 1st for the Winter Holiday. All library materials can be returned in the book drops during the closure.

The Watsonville Public Library and the Freedom Branch Library will be closed: 

Monday December 23rd - Wednesday December 25th   &  Monday December 30th - Wednesday January 1st for the Winter Holiday. 

All library mate...

Free online classes for wellness and personal development

Learn it Live offers live and on-demand classes with experts from around the world on wellness and personal development - now available for Free with your library card.

Learn it Live offers  live and on-demand classes with experts from around the world on wellness and personal development.  

Prepare for the ACT and SAT with Method Test Prep for Free

Are you or someone you know preparing to take the ACT or SAT? The library now has access to Method Test Prep through RB Digital - a comprehensive self-paced program.

Method Test Prep is a comprehensive self-paced program proven to raise test scores.  

The Great Courses are now available through the Library.

Ever wished you could take a class from a well known professor? Now you can with the Great Courses collection available through the library for Free.

The Great Courses collection offers unlimited access to the world's most engaging professors enabling you to delve into an immersive learning experience and covering a wide variety of subjects.

Stream Concert Films & Music Documentaries for Free

Watsonville residents can now access Stingray Qello, a streaming service with access to concert films and music documentaries for Free.

Stingray Qello offers the world’s largest collection of full-length concert films and music documentaries streamed on-demand with unlimited access to just about any digital device.

Stream Free Movies with IndieFlix

Watsonville residents can now access IndieFlix for Free with their library card.

IndieFlix offers pop culture film favorites, box office hits, award-winning feature films, original content, documentaries, and film shorts.  

Stream Telenovelas for Free with Pongalo

Watsonville Library patrons can now access Pongalo, a streaming service with access to telenovela shows through RB Digital.

Watsonville Library patrons can now access Pongalo, a streaming service with access to telenovela shows through RB Digital.

Pongalo offers unlimited access to the largest collection of Spanish-Language telenovelas and TV series, as well as major U...

Chilton Database for Auto Repairs is Now Available

The library now subscribes to the Chilton Automotive Database. Access FREE and reliable automotive help online 24/7 through Chilton Library, now available through Watsonville Library - whether inside the library or remotely from outside of the library.

Studies show consumers are keeping their cars longer. With more older cars on the road, repairs are on the rise. People in Watsonville interested in taking wrench into their own hands to save money, now have a resource to help. 

Chilton Library pr...

Census 2020

We need your help to count everyone in Watsonville for the United States 2020 Census.

We need your help to count everyone in Watsonville for the 2020 census - the census determines how much funding the city will get (based on the number of citizens). This funding impacts public education, housing programs, other public resources, research,...

The Main Library is a Cooling Center

The Main Library is a cooling center. We are located at 275 Main Street in Watsonville.

Come by and keep cool when we are open:
Monday - Thursday: 10-8pm
Friday: 10-6pm
Saturday: 12-4pm
Sunday: Closed

The Main Library is a cooling center. We are located at 275 Main Street in Watsonville.

Come by and keep cool when we are open:Monday - Thursday: 10-8pmFriday: 10-6pmSaturday: 12-4pmSunday: Closed

Public Art Grant Program

In an effort to increase the creation of public art displays within the City, we are proud to announce the release of the grant guidelines and application to fund four (4) Public Art Projects.

The purpose of the grant program is to provide artists an opportunity for personal and community reflection, promote the City’s attributes and enhance its image for the enjoyment and benefit of the community. 

The City of Watsonville is ...

Youth Action Council

Looking for a way to get involved in the community?

"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future" -Franklin D. Roosevelt

The G.H.W.R. Youth Center is seeking motivated young people who are interested in making a positive impact in our community. Being...

FLYERS Afterschool Program

Registration is now open for the new school year!

The F.L.Y.E.R.S. (Fun Loving Youth En Route to Success) Afterschool Program creates a safe and fun environment where students are encouraged to succeed in school and build assets that will help them thrive. The program also supports working parents who ar...

Officers track down & return tricycle stolen from disabled elderly man

It wasn’t easy but after days of investigating, our officers managed to track down a tricycle that was recently stolen from a disabled senior citizen.

Unfortunately, the trike was found in the slough in three pieces. So, several Watsonville Police officers...

Officers visit fields to provide farmworkers information and guidance

Watsonville Police Officers are meeting face-to-face with some of the hardest working people in the community as part of an outreach program aimed at helping farmworkers.

The department’s “Agua con la Chota” or “Wate...

Watsonville PD Officers raise $3,500 for local kids with cancer

Wow, our officers truly amaze us every day! 

They raised $3,500 for local kids with cancer. The Watsonville Police Officers’ Association presented a check to Jacob’s Heart during their annual Kidrageous Carnival at the city pla...

Watsonville Police Officers grow beards to help children with cancer

For the fourth year in a row, dozens of Watsonville Police Officers are growing out their beards to support local children with cancer.

The department suspended its “facial hair” policy for its annual fundraiser to raise aware...

Familia de la Costa Central cae víctima de secuestradores virtuales

Una familia de la Costa Central vivió una verdadera pesadilla vacacionando en México y ahora esa familia está compartiendo su historia para evitar que otros caigan víctimas de una extorción que va en aumento.

Se trata de un secuestro virtual y el FBI conti...

Central Coast family falls victim to virtual kidnappers

A vacation in Mexico turned into a living nightmare for a Central Coast family and now that family is sharing their story to keep others from becoming victims of an extortion that’s on the rise.

It’s called a virtual kidnapping and the FBI continues to war...

WPD Officers now equipped with body-worn cameras

The Watsonville Police Department has officially rolled out its body-worn camera program with about 95% of uniformed personnel trained.

All officers on patrol are equipped with Axon body-worn cameras.

“If an officer comes to see you for a call for...

WPD receives additional state funding to tackle underage drinking

The Watsonville Police Department is receiving additional state funding to help keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.

This is the second consecutive year the WPD receives a state grant from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

The ABC awar...

WPD increasing educational & outreach efforts for street vendors

Many Watsonville residents are expressing their growing concerns over street vendors operating illegally within the city.

While receiving numerous complaints, we realized that many of these merchants (door-to-door sales representatives, food truck vendors,...

WPD launches online tools aimed to help residents & improve safety

The Watsonville Police Department has launched two online tools that provide residents with the latest information of what’s happening in the city and direct access to a crime reporting system.

WPD is the only agency in Santa Cruz County and one of the ver...

Red Curb Parking Enforcement

Red curb painting has been installed adjacent to fire hydrants, curb ramps, and crosswalks in congested areas throughout the City to improve public safety. Please be advised that curbs painted in red indicate no stopping, standing or parking under any cir...

Nixle Registration

Message from Watsonville Police Chief

Dear Community of Watsonville,

Several weeks ago I attended the Community Immigration Forum held at the Watsonville High School to help address concerns and calm fears surrounding the recent presidential elections. With the upcoming Presidential Inaugurati...

Update - Roache Road Sewer Replacement Project

Progress continues on the Roache road Sewer Replacement Project. Read the complete update for this project.

Progress continues on the Roache Road Sewer Replacement project. The Contractor anticipates that trenching will be completed within the next few weeks, followed shortly thereafter by trench paving restoration to complete the project.

As a reminder, working...

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Have you ever wondered how prepared are you for a natural disaster?

The City of Watsonville has recently embarked on developing a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to identify potential natural disasters in our community.    

Remember to attend one of our upcoming community planning meetings.

Your input is impo...

Vision Zero Action Plan 2019

Review the most updated Vision Zero Action Plan and give us your feedback. Feedback/comments will be accepted until December 20, 2019.

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. City Council approved the implementation of Vision Zero in the City of Watsonville at its January 16, 2018 me...

Ask the Wizard

Not sure how to properly dispose of something? Visit and use our new web application to find out if a material can be reused, recycled, composted or disposed.

The City of Watsonville Public Works and Utilities Department is proud to announce the release of their new recycling web-application, the Watsonville Waste Wizard.  This new digital tool will assist residents who currently receive garbage collec...

Update - 10/28/19 - FULL ROAD CLOSURE

10/28/19 UPDATE