The Santa Cruz Elks Lodge #824 began recognizing the Elk of the Year in 1964. This honor is conferred upon the member, who in the opinion of the Exalted Ruler, provided the most extraordinary services to the Lodge during the current year. The following members have received this honor:
- 1964 Robert Brimblecom
- 1965 None
- 1966 James Dumond
- 1967 Peter Pianavilla
- 1968 Nino Faggiano
- 1969 Arnold Levine
- 1970 Vernon Riddle
- 1971 Elio Orlando
- 1972 Marvin Shaw
- 1973 Spike Pezzola
- 1974 Joe Licursi
- 1975 Larry Di Tano and Bob Young
- 1976 Fred Ruhland
- 1977 Bob Young
- 1978 Pete Wilson
- 1979 Angelo Passarino
- 1980 Chris Sana
- 1981 John Wilson
- 1982 Roger Hope
- 1983 Ted Alvarez
- 1984 Larry Di Tano
- 1985 Bill Sarow
- 1986 John W. Bowe
- 1987 Theodore McEwin
- 1988 Louie F. Moro
- 1989 George Price
- 1990 John Harray
- 1991 Rufus McAin
- 1992 Bill Wightman
- 1993 Duke Overton
- 1994 Alvin Gregory
- 1995 Lloyd W. Rodoni
- 1996 Ken Reaves
- 1997 John Amin
- 1998 Bernard Volker
- 1999 J. J. Meyer
- 2000 Mario Esposito
- 2001 Dave Zeller
- 2002 Gary Curto
- 2003 Rudy Escalante
- 2004 Don Hayward
- 2005 Chuck Cheatham
- 2006 Jeanette Mitchell
- 2007 Kyle York
- 2008 Gino Hernandez
- 2009 Jeanette Mitchell
- 2010 Eric Aasen
- 2011 John Greathouse, Jr.
- 2012 Ed Lake
- 2013 Susan Ryder
- 2014 Mike Lambert
- 2015 Celeste Pezzolo
- 2016 Amy Doherty
- 2017 Christina Hernandez
- 2018 Allanna Maldonado
- 2019 Ian Mackenzie
- 2020 Jill Stone
- 2021 Cheryl Dangreau
- 2022 Mike Venezio
- 2023 Amy Doherty
- 2024 Amy Doherty
- 2025 Mark Violante