Lookout staff photographer Kevin Painchaud gets a front-row view of the events, people, and food that make Santa Cruz such a unique and special place to live. He chose his favorite photos he captured in 2025.
Coast Life
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville resident who received liver transplant to participate in Rose Parade
A Watsonville teen will be one of seven organ transplant recipients to be honored in the Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day by an organ procurement nonprofit, Donor Network West. The 18-year-old, along with several organ transplant recipients from Northern California and Nevada, will ride on the “Donate Life Float,” which highlights the […]
Posted inLatest News
Coast Guard ditches plans to replace Mile Buoy after local pushback
Following pushback from the local maritime community, the United States Coast Guard has decided to keep the Mile Buoy in its current location and scrap the idea for a virtual replacement.
Posted inCoast Life
Carmageddon: A look at West Cliff’s 50-year vision — including a one-way road
More than a year of public engagement has culminated in the City of Santa Cruz’s 50-year vision draft for West Cliff Drive. In that vision, the city confirms its intention to transition the coastal road to one-way westbound vehicle traffic. About 50 community members gathered Thursday to share their thoughts on the vision draft for the first time.
Posted inEnvironment
Rare harlequin duck spotted in Santa Cruz sparks frenzy among birdwatchers
Throngs of birdwatchers have gathered at the Santa Cruz Harbor to catch a glimpse of a female harlequin duck, which is rarely spotted this far south, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Posted inCoast Life
Carmageddon: This week’s delays and the latest on the rail trail
The ongoing road projects around Santa Cruz County seek to improve the biking and walking experience, too, with pedestrian crossings soon coming to Highway 1. And though it won’t affect traffic, 2024 will see more progress on the Coastal Rail Trail as well.
Posted inCoast Life
The wild, colorful, monstrous art of Jimbo Phillips
Santa Cruz’s Jimbo Phillips is the middle link in a three-generation line of great local graphic artists. As the son of the man who invented the Santa Cruz Skateboards logo and the Screaming Hand, he has carved out his own signature style with an aesthetic deeply informed by the 1980s, surfing, skating and punk rock.
Posted inCoast Life
Judi Oyama’s moment: A local skateboarding legend is still competing strong … at 64
A fixture on the Santa Cruz County skating scene since the 1970s, Judi Oyama hasn’t slowed down, and next up is the 2024 World Skate Games in Rome. Between that milestone and a new documentary about the lasting influence of Northern California’s pioneering skateboarders, Oyama is finally in the spotlight that has shined elsewhere for years.
Posted inCoast Life
Otter 841+1: Fish & Wildlife pauses efforts to capture surfboard-stealing otter after she gives birth to pup
Once U.S. Fish and Wildlife personnel confirmed that Santa Cruz’s famous marine mammal, Otter 841, recently gave birth to a pup, the agency halted capture efforts for the time being. Mark Woodward, the photographer who has spent months documenting the feisty otter, said seeing 841 and her pup was “almost an emotional moment.”
Posted inCoast Life
From Steamer Lane to Pleasure Point, high surf advisory thrills surfers, prompts rescue calls
Massive waves rolled through the Santa Cruz County coastline Thursday, as forecast by the National Weather Service earlier in the week. Though surfers rushed to take advantage of the big swell, safety personnel had a lot of work to do as they assisted about 20 people out of the dangerous waters. Friday is expected to see calmer seas, but the agencies working to ensure recreators’ safety will be monitoring the conditions closely.