Santa Cruz County is famous for January beach days, but winter is still the season of the soup. This guide rounds up eight standout bowls — from oversized pho and spicy bún bò huế to luxurious khao soi and seafood-studded chowder — all regular-menu staples vetted for flavor and value.
Guides
Posted inRecreation & Sports
What to know before visiting the newly opened Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument
Here’s what you need to know about the 9 miles of trails that opened up at Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument, just north of Davenport.
Posted inFood & Drink
The ultimate guide to seafood restaurants with a view in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County’s coastline isn’t just a place to surf or stroll — it’s a stage for some of the best seafood dining experiences in the region, where menus packed with chowder, cioppino, steamed mussels and sushi meet sweeping views of the bay, harbor or beach.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
From dead-end roads to ocean sunsets: Locals share their favorite places to bike, hike and walk in Santa Cruz County
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud spent a couple days wandering through Santa Cruz County and chatting with locals about their favorite places to enjoy the outdoors on land — by hiking, biking and walking.
Posted inFood & Drink
From strawberries to dahlias, a guide to Santa Cruz County’s u-pick farms and the joy of harvesting your own
Santa Cruz County is home to a vibrant network of u-pick farms where visitors can harvest their own strawberries, tomatoes, apples, flowers and more, from spring through fall. Beyond the fresh produce and scenic fields, these farms offer a chance to slow down, connect with the land and create lasting memories with family and friends.
Posted inGuides
Your guide to a fireworks-free Santa Cruz County July Fourth
Independence Day is a big deal all across Santa Cruz County, even though there will be no fireworks shows in the county this year. There are, however, parades and other celebrations in Scotts Valley, Felton, Aptos, Boulder Creek and at Wilder Ranch State Park.
Posted inFood & Drink
From butter chicken to brisket: A guide to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s surprising new food scene
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is leveling up its food game, offering everything from quesabirria tacos and Cajun shrimp boils to Korean BBQ tofu and nitrogen-blasted ice cream, all made fresh in front of guests.
Posted inGuides
Ask Lookout’s guide to Santa Cruz County’s most intriguing questions
Ask Lookout is Lookout’s own forum for investigating and exploring the questions that locals might wonder about: Was the “Cement Ship” a party boat? What’s the story with the “door to nowhere” on Front Street? Did the Virgin Mary visit Watsonville?
Posted inLatest News
Want to support fire victims in Southern California? Here are some ways to give.
As devastating wildfires continue to rage in the Los Angeles area, Santa Cruz County residents are searching for opportunities to help. Lookout compiled a variety of ways locals can support the thousands of displaced Southern Californians, along with animals, firefighters and other emergency personnel.
Posted inFood & Drink
Santa Cruz County gift guide: 9 local non-booze gifts you can get at the grocery store
Looking for last-minute gifts? Don’t overlook your local grocery store. Lookout’s food and drink reporter shares her picks for some of the best Santa Cruz County-made products widely available at local markets – that aren’t wine or booze. From olive oil and hot sauce to chocolate and jam, all of these treats are less than $20.