Posted by dpulcrano
From the fishing boats of Monterey Bay to the vineyards of the Pajaro Valley, there were plenty of attractions to draw Italian immigrants to Santa Cruz County. They brought with them Old World culinary traditions, and of course, pizza was one of them.
Santa Cruz County’s rich agricultural bounty has provided a cornucopia of toppings, from mushrooms to artichokes, to build a distinctive local flavor profile. Local orchards can be sourced for hardwoods to fire the ovens, and anchovies can be found in the Monterey Bay.
The working class food from Naples found a large audience of pizza consumers on the Central Coast, from surfers and students to tourists, families and late night software coders.
California cuisine’s emphasis on fresh, local and organic ingredients influenced the pizza scene in Santa Cruz. As pizza transitioned from fast food to a gourmet experience, local pizzerias sourced ingredients from the region’s abundant farms and markets, introducing artisanal cheeses, heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs and seasonal produce to their offerings.
Today, Santa Cruz County boasts a vibrant and diverse pizza scene, with around 70 different places firing pies. They range from classic family-run pizzerias to upscale dining experiences. The blend of tradition and innovation continues to define the region’s pizza. Whether one is enjoying a slice with a view of the ocean or picking up a pie to share with friends, pizza remains a beloved and integral part of the county’s food culture.
From humble beginnings to its current status as a culinary staple, pizza in Santa Cruz County reflects the region’s spirit: creative, diverse and rooted in tradition.