Pleasure Point, California


Pleasure Point is a census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California. Pleasure Point sits at an elevation of. The 2010 United States census reported Pleasure Point's population was 5,846. Prior to the 2010 census, this CDP was called Opal Cliffs.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP covers an area of 2.0 square miles, 0.8 square miles of it is land, and 1.3 square miles of it is water.

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census reported that Pleasure Point had a population of 5,846. The population density was 2,903.0 people per square mile. The racial makeup of Pleasure Point was 4,847 White, 63 African American, 45 Native American, 144 Asian, 5 Pacific Islander, 506 from other races, and 236 from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,140 persons.
The Census reported that 99.8% of the population lived in households and 0.2% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters.
There were 2,650 households, out of which 625 had children under the age of 18 living in them, 943 were opposite-sex married couples living together, 267 had a female householder with no husband present, 114 had a male householder with no wife present. There were 248 unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 26 same-sex married couples or partnerships. 914 households were made up of individuals and 251 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20. There were 1,324 families ; the average family size was 2.85.
The population was spread out with 1,026 people under the age of 18, 481 people aged 18 to 24, 1,879 people aged 25 to 44, 1,859 people aged 45 to 64, and 601 people who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.
There were 3,091 housing units at an average density of 1,534.9 per square mile, of which 52.0% were owner-occupied and 48.0% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.3%. 53.3% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 46.5% lived in rental housing units.

Culture and history

Pleasure Point, on the northern Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz County, California, is a world-renowned surf location, traditionally defined as the area along the coast from 41st Ave to Moran Lagoon, up 30th Ave to Portola and over to 41st Ave down to the sea at the "Hook". It has a firmly rooted surf culture.

Early history

The Ohlone were the early inhabitants of the Central Coast, prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in 1769. The Spanish sent missionaries to introduce indigenous people to Christianity. The Spanish missions held onto their land and power for twelve years after the independence of Mexico from Spain in 1821. The Mexican government seized the Mission lands and distributed it to a few powerful families, among them the Rodriguezes and the Arandas.

Mexican land grants

was granted by Gov. Figueroa to Francisco Rodriguez. This area was used for cattle round ups by the Rodriguez and Castro families, in a natural amphitheater where the freeway crosses Rodeo Gulch. Also known as "Los Coyotes", a one-quarter square league from Rodeo Gulch to Soquel Creek, from the sea up. Rancho Encinalitos, owned by Alejandro Rodriguez, ran from Corcoran West and included the lands to Woods Lagoon.

Daubenbiss and Hames

The conclusion of the Mexican American War in 1850 resulted in more immigration. Americans and Europeans joined with the Mexican Rancho families or through purchase gained land in the area. In 1845 John Daubenbiss and John Hames bought from Alexander Rodriguez. The Daubenbiss house is on the rise coming out of Soquel Village. The 1855 grant was confirmed by the land commission. Originally surveyed as in 1858, it was resurveyed in 1861 as. In 1869, after a second notice they appealed yet were held to the smaller size because they didn't object in time. H. and E. Pagels patented part of the lands in 1868. Hames and Daubenbiss patented this Rancho in 1882.

Nineteenth century

Barn on 26th, now in Advent / Pleasure Point Church.
Ship, Helen Merrian Cap. Nelson, with cargo of telegraph poles wrecks off ranch.
1896 - Son Patrick, 17, died of typhoid.
1897 - Divorced due to drinking. Son, Martin, drowned off Blacks Point in Jan 1901. Victorian house on beach. Burned March 1901.
1906 - Son, Edward died from mistakenly drinking acid, at his grandfather's ranch in Watsonville. Died in 1904.
Children went to Santa Cruz high on the Capitola Street car. They planted the eucalyptus windbreak that still shelters the area now.
They also provided over wintering for the monarch butterfly. The house burned on 12.14, 1915.
LOTS $5 down, $5 mo. 75–90 ft. Free water to lot, golden Waukesha mineral water. Free beach,. long. Free camping.
1929 70 acres Moran Lagoon to 38th
1948 Beltz Haven 38th-34th
1936 permission to develop water system around Breakers Beach
1938 seeks to lay water mains in Live Oak
1938 sued by Breakers for poor water.
Rumor is that the Pleasure Point roadhouse 2-3905 E-Cliff was used in these endeavors.
As the contests between the surfers from Steamer Lane and Pleasure Point increased, the Pleasure Point Surfing Association reinvigorated the PPNF in the 1960s with the inspiration from Jim Phillip's, renowned surf art-skate artist under Harry Contie.
The beach at O'Neill's has long been used for surf access and gathering. Directly in front of O'Neill's house is the surf break called "O'Neill's" and next to it on the land is a dirt field called "The Dirt Farm". Jack is kind enough to let the community use the property for running local dogs or surf contests like the Log Jam which is sponsored by the Big Stick Surf Club. All contestants must use surf boards built before 1970 with no leashes. Famous surfers, including Peter Mel, Jay Moriarty, Adam Repogle, Chris Gallagher, Kieran Horn, Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, Marcel Soros, Flea Virostko, Kevin Reed, Richard Schmidt, Tanner Beckett, Christiaan Bailey, CJ Nelson and Homer Hernard. The early big wave rider Fred Van Dyke and the inventor of the wetsuit, Jack O'Neill, are historic figures associated with this area.
Two more spots surfed in the early 1970s are Little Wind & Sea and 26th. Both are just west of Sewers, First Peak, Second Peak, and sometimes at 26th Avenue to 36th Ave.