Santa Cruz blends a laid‑back surf-and-redwood lifestyle with a lively downtown of cafes, farmers’ markets, galleries and breweries, plus easy access to world-class beaches, redwood trails and year‑round outdoor activities—perfect for a traveling therapist who wants nature, social life and comfortable short-term living rather than being stuck in a dull town.
For bigger-city options, San Jose (~30 miles) offers major dining, shopping and SJC airport access, while Monterey (~45 miles) adds coastal attractions like Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.