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...

Father & Daughter Sweetheart Dance

Come and dance the night away with your daughter and enjoy an evening of music, food and games at the Father & Daughter Sweetheart Dance!

Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 6 pm - 9 pm

G.H.W.R. Youth Center | 30 Maple Avenue

All Fathers and Daughters Ages 4- 13

$25/person

The event will feature a taco bar, dessert table and an open dance floor. This is the perfect opportunity to spend time with y...

Request for Proposals for Porter Building - Deadline Extended

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

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

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...

ARE YOU PREPARED TO WEATHER THE STORM?

In case of a wet winter, here are some tips and resources to help you and your family prepare and stay safe.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO WEATHER THE STORM?

In case of a wet winter, here are some tips and resources to help you and your family prepare and stay safe.

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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

Winter Reading Challenge

We're challenging local youth (0 - 17 yrs old) to light up your mind this winter and read three books.

We're challenging  local youth (0 - 17 yrs old) to light up your mind this winter and read three books. 

The challenge runs from Friday, December 20th - Friday, January 31st. 

Participants can sign up through their phones with the...

Library Survey
Help Shape the Future of the Library

The Library is initiating a survey asking for input. We want to hear your thoughts and vision for the future of the Watsonville Library. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey, either online or on paper – in English or Spanish.

The Library is initiating a survey asking for input. We want to hear your thoughts and vision for the future of the Watsonville Library. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey, either online or on paper – in English or Spanish.

With your particip...

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,...

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...

Shop with a Cop brings extra holiday cheer for 15 families

Shop with a Cop was once again a hit, helping 15 families who needed a little extra holiday cheer this season.

The young participants were selected from local youth programs.

“It was really nice because I got to spend time with my family...

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 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...

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...

ARE YOU PREPARED TO WEATHER THE STORM?

In case of a wet winter, here are some tips and resources to help you and your family prepare and stay safe.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO WEATHER THE STORM?

In case of a wet winter, here are some tips and resources to help you and your family prepare and stay safe.

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...

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN SURVEY

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE NEXT NATURAL DISASTER?

We are working on a plan to help you be better prepared in case of natural disasters. Please join us at one of our Local Hazard Mitigation Planning meetings to share your ideas with us.

We have recently embarked on developing our first Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The purpose of the survey is to help our staff understand the community’s awareness of Watsonville's risk from all-natural disasters, including flooding, earthquakes...