Rich soil, wet winters, and mild summers in the Pajaro Valley have made Watsonville a center for farming and food processing, but construction and manufacturing companies have also found fertile ground there. And natural wetlands make the area worth of its Spanish name, serving as habitat for more than 200 species of birds.

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City Council

The Watsonville City Council is composed of seven members who are elected by the voters in their respective districts. Every December, the members vote on who will serve as mayor.

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Planning Commission

The Planning Commission consists of seven members who are appointed by the City Council. The commission holds public meetings monthly in the city council chambers.

Recent Announcements

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Watsonville Police focus on distracted driving to keep roads safe


04/18/2025

Vision Zero Corridor Study - Help us Improve Safety on Freedom Boulevard

The City of Watsonville is working on an in-depth study of Freedom Boulevard to identify challenges and solutions to traffic collisions inspired by the Vision Zero framework
04/18/2025

Spring Summer Fun Guide

Our Spring/Summer Fun Guide is now available for viewing.
04/18/2025

Related News

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The Pajaronian logo From The Pajaronian...

04/17/2025
Image for display with article titled New Landfill ‘A Major Milestone’ for City

Watsonville city on Tuesday reopened its landfill after a seven-year closure, unveiling two new areas that will give the city its own waste facility for about 75 years.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/02/2025
A report on an April 1 online forum in which the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission presented details about passenger rail service to connect Watsonville and Santa Cruz and to regional and state rail routes.

The Pajaronian logo From The Pajaronian...

03/13/2025
Image for display with article titled Tiny Village Project Moves Forward After Second Appeal Denied

A tiny home development for 34 homeless people slated for the parking lot of Westview Presbyterian Church in Watsonville can move forward after the City Council on Tuesday denied an appeal by a neighbors’ group that has been battling the placement of the project since its inception in October 2023.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

03/11/2025
Youth in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District are encouraged to apply for paid internships in the City of Watsonville's "Summer in the City" program. Read on for details.

Good Times logo From Good Times...

02/26/2025
Image for display with article titled Poetic License

Meet the new poet laureates in Santa Cruz County and Watsonville.

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