Supporters of Santa Cruz Metro have begun gathering signatures to get a sales tax on the November ballot by way of a citizens’ initiative, in order to lower the threshold for the number of votes needed to pass. Without local funding, the county transit agency faces potentially major cuts to its personnel and level of service.
Capitola & Soquel
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Return of the Comic Con: Games, presentations, vendor booths and, of course, comics coming back to Capitola Mall
Surf City Comic Con returns to the Capitola Mall for a third consecutive year on Saturday, April 11, featuring not only old toys, comic books and posters but a cosplay contest and special guests.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best of Santa Cruz County arts & food events this weekend, March 19-22
With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inLatest News
With Capitola Mall site rezoned, city aims to focus state-mandated growth on 41st Avenue corridor
Once redeveloped, the Capitola Mall is expected to take care of a large number of state-mandated housing units that the City of Capitola must plan for by 2031. Moving forward, the city seeks to center development on the 41st Avenue corridor, which officials say holds the best opportunities for building.
Posted inFood & Drink
Mijo’s, Geisha face long road to recovery after deadly Capitola fire
A week after a deadly Capitola Village fire damaged their building, the owners of Mijo’s Taqueria and Geisha Japanese Restaurant are still waiting on insurance assessments and remain unable to access their red-tagged spaces. With repairs likely to take up to a year, they’re weighing next steps while receiving an outpouring of community support, including a sold-out fundraiser.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Wharf to Wharf will again avoid Murray Street Bridge this year
With construction on the Murray Street Bridge continuing, the annual Wharf to Wharf road race will again start in Live Oak instead of its customary spot along the Santa Cruz waterfront, organizers announced Wednesday.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Santa Cruz biotech company nets new funding; RiverRow marks city’s first riverfront development
The Westside’s Unnatural Products lands $45 million more for its work to develop treatments for certain types of rare cancers and diseases, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly survey of local business. Downtown Santa Cruz housing plus names, numbers and dates to know are also on the menu.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of March 17
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Good news for salmon fishers; chef Sarah Bargetto’s Venus Beachside feast; Outstanding in the Field’s local 2026 dates
California gives recreational and commercial salmon season the go-ahead for spring, a Soquel-raised chef shines at Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen Beachside in Aptos and where a famous roving farm-to-table dinner series will set up in Santa Cruz County this year – you’ll find all that and more in Lily Belli’s Tuesday newsletter.
Posted inHousing & Development
After years of delays, Capitola City Council approves mall zoning code amendments, opening door for redevelopment proposal
The Capitola City Council approved zoning code updates for the Capitola Mall site at a special meeting Monday, finally moving into the next step of the saga and allowing a developer to submit a project proposal for the large-scale redevelopment in discussion for nearly a decade.
