Aptos, California, is home to the "World's Shortest Parade!" celebrated every July 4th -- the parade route is only .6 miles long. Don't blink, because you might miss it!
Located along the Pacific Ocean, just south of San Francisco and west of Santa Cruz, Aptos is a quaint ocean-side community with a number of surrounding urban and rural areas
Aptos, California, is home to the "World's Shortest Parade!" celebrated every July 4th -- the parade route is only .6 miles long. Don't blink, because you might miss it!
Located along the Pacific Ocean, just south of San Francisco and west of Santa Cruz, Aptos is a quaint ocean-side community with a number of surrounding urban and rural areas. So from beaches to vineyards, Aptos literally has something for everyone. Aptos was named by the Native Americans who populated this area for thousands of years before the first settlers arrived. The Spanish came along next and founded the Mission of Santa Cruz on Aptos in 1794. By 1833, the government of Mexico granted almost 7,000 acres to Rafael Castro to establish Aptos Rancho. When California became a state in 1850, Castro leased his land to the new Californians for industrial developments. There are an estimated 11,609 households in Aptos, and because there is no official city government, people rely on the Chamber of Commerce, Library, Fire Department and Sheriff's Service Center for information. So if you get lost in Aptos and want to stop at city hall for directions, don't, because there isn't one!
Moving to Aptos
If you're coming from a place where four seasons are the norm, you may be in for a surprise. Aptos has average temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees pretty much year round. The coldest month is December and the warmest month is August. Instead of four seasons, there's really only two: rainy and dry. The rainiest months are November through March, and the driest months are April through October. If you're looking for rain in June, July and August, don't get your hopes up, since the average rainfall during those months is less than two tenths of an inch. But all the sun and dry weather makes choosing a moving date easy.
When it's time to close on your Aptos property, remember to bring your driver's license or state-issued ID and any other documents required by your lender, such as a roof and sidewalks "as-is" letter, home inspection and funds for closing in the form of a cashier's check or proof that the money is held in escrow from your realtor. You'll also want to bring your divorce decree or a copy of your living trust if those documents apply to you.
When you find an apt for rent you'll need to fill out an application, provide references and give proof of employment before your application can be processed. After approval you'll need to pay a security deposit, first and last months' rent and also any necessary pet deposit.
Aptos Neighborhoods
Aptos is divided into six areas: Day Valley, Summer Ave./Dolphin Ave., Bonita Drive/Clubhouse Drive, Town Center, Seacliff and Soquel. Depending on the type of property you're looking for, you may able to find an apartment for rent in Aptos or take advantage of a house rental. Beach lovers, cozy-town dwellers, suburbanites and farm types have something to choose from in this eclectic area. Whatever your house rental preferences, Aptos communities offer two-bedroom apartments for rent, three-bedroom apartments for rent and rental homes. In most areas of Aptos, it's easy to find a two-bedroom apartment for rent as well as small homes (studio to two bedroom apartments) and medium homes (three to four bedroom apartments).
Life in Aptos
Aptos offers residents and visitors a place to shop, gather and enjoy the beachfront community in the quaint Rancho Del Mar shopping center, and the shops at Seascape Village. A number of well-manicured and historic trails are available in the Aptos-Santa Cruz area and are great for biking, walking or jogging. Castle Rock and Goat Rock Trails in Los Gatos is considered a moderate hiking trail with water falls, and are accessible year-round. Both of these trails are open to horses. Union Canyon County Park Waterfalls trail is a moderate six-mile loop used for year-round hiking, and Los Gatos Creek Trail is a six-mile out and back trail good for all hiking levels and features a river. This trail is accessible year round and is good for biking, trail running and walking.
