Landscapers in
Santa Cruz, CA
18 landscapers listed in Santa Cruz
Landscaping professionals in Santa Cruz create stunning outdoor spaces with services including lawn installation, hardscaping, irrigation, and garden design. Find experienced landscapers who understand Santa Cruz's local climate and soil conditions.
Landscapers in Santa Cruz at a glance
- 18 landscapers are listed in Santa Cruz, CA on Ratedeed.
- 16 of the 18 listings shown here include a phone number you can call directly.
- Listings cover 4 ZIP codes in and around Santa Cruz: 95060, 95062, 95064, 95065.
Landscapers elsewhere in California: San Diego (124), Sacramento (88), Fresno (53), Bakersfield (49), Santa Barbara (46), San Jose (43)
Homes and landscapers in Santa Cruz: the local numbers
Housing in Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz has about 23,888 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1970, 6 years older than the California median of 1976.
- 68% of homes were built before 1980 and 39% before 1960; 5% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $1,209,000.
- 48% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 52% are rented.
- 56% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (68% of homes), followed by electricity (27%).
- The median home has 4.6 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $2,452 a month.
- Home values run 65% above the California median of $734,700.
- Most occupied homes here are rented (52%), so tenants should get their landlord's approval before hiring anyone for repairs or alterations.
56% of Santa Cruz's homes are single-family detached houses, the homes most likely to have their own yard to maintain.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (Santa Cruz, CA).
Landscapers workforce in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area
- Median hourly wage
- $22.22
- People employed
- 1,030
- In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers earned a median of $22.22 an hour ($46,210 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $18.19–$29.31.
- About 1,030 people work in this occupation in the metro area.
- That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 1.71).
- These are what workers earn, not what landscapers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers).
Climate in Santa Cruz and what it means for landscapers
- The average temperature in Santa Cruz is 59°F; summer afternoons average 75°F and winter nights 42°F.
- It gets about 31 inches of precipitation a year.
- There are about 4 nights a year at or below freezing and about 5 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 2,417 heating degree days a year against 170 cooling degree days.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Santa Cruz station USC00047916 (3.2 km from the city centre).
Top Landscapers in Santa Cruz
Listings include contact details and service areas. Check licensing with your state board before hiring.
More landscapers elsewhere in California
Listed in other California cities, not in Santa Cruz.
Licensing and consumer protection in California
Check that any landscaper you hire is licensed and insured before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who regulates this trade
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Verify a licence on the official register →Insurance and workers' compensation
$1 million general liability minimum. Workers' compensation is mandatory for any contractor with employees. Bond of $25,000 required for licensure (increased under SB 607).
Mechanic's lien protection
California has one of the strictest lien regimes in the country. Preliminary 20-day notices must be sent within 20 days of starting work. Mechanics liens must be filed within 90 days after project completion (or 60 days after a notice of completion is recorded). Unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can place liens on your property even if you've paid your general contractor in full. Always collect lien waivers from all parties before making final payment.
What catches homeowners out in California
California's CSLB license verification is critical — always check a contractor's license number at cslb.ca.gov and confirm it is active and in good standing. California law requires a $25,000 contractor surety bond on every licensed contractor as a consumer protection backstop. For projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined under Business & Professions Code § 7048), a valid CSLB license is legally required. Unlicensed contractors face criminal misdemeanor charges, and homeowners who hire them forfeit key statutory protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
How much do landscapers earn in the Santa Cruz area?
In the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers earned a median of $22.22 an hour ($46,210 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $18.19–$29.31. About 1,030 people work in this occupation in the metro area. That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 1.71). These are what workers earn, not what landscapers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How old are homes in Santa Cruz?
The typical home in Santa Cruz was built in 1970, and 68% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $1,209,000. 56% of Santa Cruz's homes are single-family detached houses, the homes most likely to have their own yard to maintain. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
How much does landscaping cost in Santa Cruz?
Landscaping costs in Santa Cruz range from $50–$150 per visit for basic maintenance to $2,500–$12,000+ for comprehensive design and plantings. Hardscaping projects tend to be the most expensive.
What landscaping services are available in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz homeowners have access to a wide range of landscaping services including lawn installation and maintenance, tree and shrub planting, irrigation systems, hardscaping (patios, walkways, retaining walls), outdoor lighting, landscape design, and seasonal cleanup. Many contractors in Santa Cruz also offer specialized services like drainage solutions, sod installation, and xeriscaping.
Do I need a permit for landscaping in Santa Cruz, CA?
Most basic landscaping in Santa Cruz doesn't require a permit, but projects involving retaining walls over a certain height, irrigation systems connected to city water, grading that affects drainage, or tree removal may require permits. Contact the Santa Cruz building department for permit requirements. Check with your local building department before starting any major landscaping project in Santa Cruz.
How do I find a landscaper near Santa Cruz?
On Ratedeed, you can browse landscapers serving Santa Cruz who specialize in everything from lawn maintenance to complete outdoor transformations. Look for professionals experienced with Santa Cruz's local climate and soil conditions. Read reviews from other Santa Cruz homeowners, request free quotes, and ask for photos of completed projects in the area.
What plants grow best in Santa Cruz's climate?
The best plants for Santa Cruz depend on your specific location, sun exposure, and soil type. Local nurseries and landscapers familiar with Santa Cruz's climate can recommend native and adapted species that thrive with minimal maintenance.
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