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The history of Live Oak is very much a part of Santa Cruz’s history. However, Live Oak does have its own flavor to add to the mix. During the 1820’s through the early 1840’s, this time period was known as the “Rancho Period” due to the idyllic life that was being led by Mexican landowners. The governors of the time parceled out huge sections of lands to Dons and Donas. These “Dons” fortunes were made from cattle and the people lived well off their land. During that period, the Live Oak district was made up of two ranchos owned by brothers.

The brothers Rodriguez were named “Don” Alejandro, and “Don” Francisco Rodriguez. Both brothers were each granted 1,500 acres of property. Francisco’s was called “Rancho Arroyo del Rodeo” and two years later, Alejandro was given the rancho named “Los Esteros” for the three large estuaries contained within the land. The loose boundaries of their land ran from Rodeo Gulch on the east and Arana Gulch on the west. Both sections were bounded on the south by the Pacific Ocean, and on the north by the Santa Cruz Mountains.

By this time, in the 1830’s, Don Alejandro owned what would eventually become the Live Oak district, Alejandro and his wife built their home along what is now Paul Sweet Road, so that they could look across their territory toward Monterey Bay. Alejandro later changed the name of his ranch to “Rancho Encinalito del Rodeo” which means “the ranch of the little live oaks”. Thus, the Live Oak community was born. After the Don's short lived existence, white men made their way into the area by sea or by wagon and became the new owners of Live Oak.

By the time of the death of the Rodriguez brothers in the 1840’s, Live Oak was owned by Americans, and the era of ranchos was lost to the coming of statehood in 1850. Although none of these pioneers amassed great wealth, their heritage remains in the names of streets, apartment complexes, beaches, hills, and businesses. In the late 1800’s farming became a practical trade. Wheat, barley, and oats were grown. Well-kept picket fences designated each farm from the next. At first homes were poorly constructed, but before long, Queen Anne and Victorian style houses began to appear near the pastures. Over time, the residents became prominent citizens of Santa Cruz; politicians, they held fairs, created a Farmer’s Club, and soon their children were of the age to be educated. In 1872, they built a small school house on the Kinsley Ranch and gave it the name of Live Oak School, in dedication of Don Alejandro’s land. From that day until today, that site continues to be the home of the Live Oak School.

After time, the over-used soil made it harder to cultivate the early crops which lead to a change in the types of crops grown. Cattle, horses, fruits, and vegetables became the primary change of crops and livestock grown. Time took its toll on the pioneers as well, and soon they retired, died, or moved into town. Their children eventually sold the farms. These small farms gave rise to two new industries: commercial marketing of bulbs, and poultry at Brown Bulb Ranch. Poultry and egg-buyers went from door to door in search of the goods, while mail-order catalogues gave Live Oak a nationwide audience for its bulbs. Live Oak extended its economic base and began to be known as a real presence in California. Locally as things grew, Antonelli Begonias began to thrive as a business. Their begonias were gorgeous and the Antonellis soon had a thriving business. The local Begonia festival in Capitola show case these beautiful flowers. Until recently they were still located in Live Oak, until their building burned down and they moved to Watsonville. This area off of Maciel has been home to new housing developments.

Live Oak went through many periods of transitions, from creating the Wilson Brother’s Poultry Tracts (acreage, complete with house kits, and hens) to new roads, homes, water towers, bridges, and gas and the emergence of electric lines. Live Oak School went through many evolutions as well and as the number of people grew, so did the school. During the 1930’s to 1950’s the great Depression left a lasting mark. Not only were many people’s livelihoods gone from the plummeting price of poultry, but also a double plague of Coccidosis and Pullorum Disease swept through the chicken coops. Due to the loss of lands and farms, Live Oak began to lose its identity in the 1950’s through the 1970’s. Instead of being its own town, Live Oak became just a suburb of Santa Cruz. Housing tracts replaced the acreage farms, and the advent of mobile home parks took root. Over time, Live Oak has grown and lost much of its rural feel.

In the 1980’s condos were a huge expansion within Live Oak, and while there are still some old homes, the newer Live Oak consists of varied housing. Mixed in with the condominiums and small housing developments are beach homes, some costing several million dollars with waterfront access. Although not having huge industries, Live Oak does have a few including a food distributor and small businesses such as Santa Cruz Spas. There are also some beautiful parks and the Live Oak School District exists still.

Currently, Santa Cruz County is rebuilding roads, sewers, and working to bring Live Oak up to the standard of the surrounding areas. The real estate here varies from some charming older homes to modern newer ones. The prices are some of the best in the Santa Cruz area for value, with a traditional 3 bedroom homes selling in the mid $700-800,000 range. For the homes that front the water or are closer to the beach , the prices can reach 5 million dollars or more. The area has a mix of smaller businesses, and generally spans from the freeway to the ocean, bounded by 7th Avenue to 41st. There are smaller sub areas of Live Oak, such as Pleasure Point and Santa Maria Cliffs which have their own character.

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