South of its namesake river lies the town of Pajaro, a small agricultural community at the northern edge of Monterey County. Ranch-style and two-story homes cluster at the border with neighboring Watsonville and dot the verdant hills of the Pajaro Valley. Amidst the farms and fields that the region is known for, local shops serve up traditional Hispanic cuisine, while numerous parks showcase the California wilderness, from redwood forests to sprawling beaches. Despite a recent flood in March 2023, many residents find themselves still firmly attached to the community. “Residents are closely tied to Pajaro for many reasons” says Watonka Addison, Principal Librarian of the Watsonville Public Library. “It’s family-oriented, the climate is beautiful, and you have geographic proximity to some of the most gorgeous areas in the world.”
Fields around Pajaro reflect the town’s agricultural roots in the Pajaro Valley.
Pajaro sits near Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, a protected wetland.
Pajaro is family-oriented, and neighbors often stay closely tied to the community.
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Homes by the town and in the hills
Overall, Pajaro is an agricultural community, and many of its itinerant residents prefer renting to homeowning. However, there are plenty of housing options, and most fall under two categories. Closer to the border with Watsonville, residents live in an eclectic mix of bungalows, ranch-style houses and two-story homes architecturally inspired by the Colonial Revival and Spanish Mission styles. Homes here are pressed more tightly together, and many do not have front lawns, but residents have easy access to the amenities of Watsonville. Prices vary widely from $450,000 to $900,000. On the other hand, in the hills of Pajaro, residents might live in ranch-style homes seated on acre-sized lots or even in gated communities such as Stone Ridge Estates. These scenic, secluded homes in the hills can sell for $1 million or more.
Bungalow homes in Pajaro near Watsonville keep shops and services a short drive away.
In Pajaro, bungalow streets often sit near Watsonville and its everyday errands.
In Pajaro, Colonial Revival and Spanish Mission influences show up in neighborhood homes.
Admire the timeless elegance of meticulously preserved Spanish colonial homes in Pajaro.
In Pajaro, two-story homes often list from about $450K to $900K.
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Driving up to Watsonville
For Pajaro residents, especially those living in the countryside, the car is usually the preferred mode of transportation. Watsonville Community Hospital is just a 10-minute (or 5-mile) drive away from downtown Pajaro, as is Watsonville Municipal Airport.
Education and environmentalism
Ohlone Elementary and Hall District Elementary School are located south of Pajaro in Los Lamos. As Pajaro Middle School is undergoing reconstruction from flood damages, seventh- and eighth-grade students presently attend Lakeview Middle School in Watsonville. Ohlone Elementary receives a C grade from Niche, while Hall District Elementary and Lakeview Middle receive C-minuses. Students may attend Watsonville High in downtown Watsonville, where the Environmental Studies and Natural Resources Academy teaches how to tackle environmental issues and prepares students for careers in ecology, city planning, business and more. Watsonville High holds a B-minus from Niche.
Watsonville High gives students the tools to excel in their future careers.
Pajaro Middle Schoolers are temporarily based at Lakeview Middle School in Watsonville.
Pajaro is a short drive from Watsonville High, home of the Wildcats.
Ohlone Elementary near Pajaro in Los Lamos earns a C grade on Niche.
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A little town with a lot of flavor
Pajaro Food Center carries the usual meat and produce, but in the back hides a taqueria famously declared by Sunset Magazine to serve the best burritos in California. Residents have flocked from other states and communities to confirm the legend. Those who want a more traditional dining experience might choose to stop by Real Colima 1 Restaurant, which serves authentic Mexican cuisine and makes tortillas in-house. For dessert, Santa Rosa Bakery makes fresh sweet breads like conchas. Beyond Pajaro Food Center, there aren’t many other grocers and retailers in Pajaro, but bigger stores like Target and Dollar Tree can be found on Main Street in Watsonville.
Near Pajaro, Main Street Watsonville shopping includes Target and Dollar Tree.
Pajaro Food Center’s taqueria earned Sunset Magazine’s best burrito in California.
In Pajaro, Santa Rosa Bakery serves fresh conchas and other sweet breads.
Pajaro Food Center draws visitors for groceries and a back-counter taqueria.
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Parks, beaches, wetlands and forests
Pajaro Park offers a modern playground, basketball court and baseball diamond. The YMCA runs several programs at the park, such as Zumba and T-ball. Smaller parks such as Cayetano Park are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. And with more parks and reserves in the surrounding areas, residents will never run out of green spaces to visit. “We’ve got the beautiful beaches, we’ve got the rolling hills, we’ve got the redwoods, the Elkhorn Slough and the marina just south,” Addison says. Within a 10-minute drive, or about 7.5 miles each, are Moss Landing State Beach and Elkhorn Slough Reserve, a coastal wetland teeming with harbor seals, migratory birds and outdoor recreation like kayaking. The towering redwoods of the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park are only a 20-minute drive away.
Pajaro Park is a family friendly hub for YMCA programs like Zumba and T-ball.
The modern playground at Pajaro Park sits next to courts and the baseball diamond.
Pajaro Park offers open space for picnics after a walk through the neighborhood.
Elkhorn Slough Reserve offers kayaking and coastal wetland wildlife watching.
Near Pajaro, Moss Landing State Beach is known for surfing, sand, and Monterey Bay views.
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Planned construction of a new levee
Unfortunately, Pajaro has flooded several times. The Pajaro River levee has long been perceived as inadequate and in need of repairs, and in March 2023, the levee broke and flooded the community, displacing over 1,000 residents. In November 2023, a Project Partnership Agreement was signed with the intent of expediting the construction of a new levee by the US Army Corps of Engineers, which promises to safeguard the community against floods for 100 years. Construction will begin in the summer of 2024.
Written By
Alexander Breuhan
Photography Contributed By
Elie Karam
Video By
Jessica Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jeff Wickum,
an experienced agent in this area.
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