Santa Cruz County, California
The most common soil here is Ben Lomond, on about 11% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Felton and Lompico come next.
About 86% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 81% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 55% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Santa Cruz County, California, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Santa Cruz County, California. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Lomond-Catelli-Sur complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ben Lomond-Felton complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sur-Catelli complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nisene-Aptos complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lompico-Felton complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes, MLRA 4B | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lompico-Felton complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, MLRA 4B | 14K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lompico-Felton complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Maymen stony loam, 30 to 75 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Watsonville loam, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ben Lomond sandy loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ben Lomond-Felton complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonnydoon-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 85 percent slopes | 5K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zayante coarse sand, 5 to 30 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elkhorn sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Soquel loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nisene-Aptos complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Watsonville loam, thick surface, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Tierra-Watsonville complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 4K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Santa Lucia channery clay loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes, isomesic, MLRA 4B-7 | 4K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.