The quiet town of Aptos is in an unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County that includes the Rio Del Mar, Seacliff, and Seascape areas. It is also the home of historic Aptos Village, Also the home to the world’s shortest parade every July 4th. Aptos is the gateway to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Hikers, runners and mountain bikers enjoy the 30 miles of trails where remnants of mill sites and trestles still exist. The park, covers 10,000 acres and once clear-cut by loggers, is a testament to forest planning and replanting where second-growth redwoods coexist with new foliage. Traces of the once-bustling railroad and logging industry can still be found. For more history, the Aptos History Museum houses a collection of artifacts and photographs tracing the history from native Ohlone Indians who named the area to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Tucked away behind Aptos Village Square, the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park located in the middle of Santa Cruz County is a tribute to nature’s resilience. Named for Nisene Marks, the nature-loving mother of the local farm family that bought the land in the 1950s, the park preserves an earlier time in Santa Cruz County. The 10,000-acre park includes miles of trails for walking, running, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Interesting sites include a twisted grove of redwoods, remnants of a turn of the century sawmill, and the epicenter of the infamous 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The park, once clear-cut by loggers, is a testament to forest rehabilitation where second-growth redwoods coexist with new foliage.
The residents of the little town of Aptos have one thing in common, pride. In Aptos Village, you are truly stepping into a true community. A simpler time where life strolls by at a leisurely pace. Where you know your neighbors. Cozy shops, a variety of restaurants for any occasion like the Parish Pub or Coles BBQ. It’s all here in the heart of Aptos, thoughtfully planned among 11.5 acres, 65,000 square feet of commercial space and 69 homes. Nestled between Nisene Marks State Park and the Monterey Bay, this traditional, pedestrian-friendly town square provides timeless architecture and small-town charm that calls to another era, while providing all the luxury and energy efficiency of today.
