From laser-lit dance parties to intimate musical performances, there are plenty of New Year’s Eve celebrations going on across Santa Cruz County to bid farewell to 2024 and ring in the start of 2025.
Eastside / Live Oak / Pleasure Point
Eastside Santa Cruz, Live Oak and Pleasure Point neighborhoods
Posted inLatest News
Lookout’s most-read stories of 2024
2024 In Review What a year it’s been for Santa Cruz County. From an election that was consequential both for the county and the nation, to the return of nature’s dramatic flourishes in the form of tornados, tsunami warnings and catastrophic waves, 2024 kept our 10-person newsroom busy. As we wrap up this rollercoaster of […]
Posted inRecreation & Sports
The Surf Whisperer: Mark Sponsler’s forecasts have earned a devoted following among big-wave surfers
Mark Sponsler has gained cult status among big-wave surfers thanks to his ability to time a wave down to the minute and predict its height to within inches. The retired engineer’s website, Stormsurf, combines meteorological science with custom software to forecast exactly when the next monster wave will hit Steamer Lane.
Posted inFood & Drink
Lily Belli on Food: Santa Cruz’s cookbook conscience, holiday wines and Christmas eats
News, notes and recommendations from the world of Santa Cruz County food & drink via Lookout correspondent Lily Belli.
Posted inK-12 Education
As federal pandemic aid ends, Santa Cruz County school districts prepare for budget cuts, layoffs
Facing millions in budget shortfalls, Pajaro Valley and Live Oak school districts expect to make deep spending cuts as pandemic-relief funding expires and they confront the effects of declining enrollment. For PVUSD, that is likely to mean slashing expenses for mental health staff and programs.
Posted inLatest News
In Photos: At Santa Cruz homeless memorial, empty chairs mark lives lost on the streets this year
Santa Cruz homelessness advocates, officials and residents gathered Friday to memorialize members of the unhoused community who died over the past year.
Posted inEvents
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, Dec. 20-26
Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County in the coming holiday week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best 9: Top events for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, Dec. 19-30
With the weekend nearly here and the holiday week beyond, check out Wallace Baine’s Best 9 recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County via Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Santa Cruz County live music roundup, Dec. 19-22
Explore Santa Cruz County’s live music with a roundup of upcoming shows at The Catalyst, Moe’s Alley, Felton Music Hall and more.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz City Schools settles $4.5 million sex abuse lawsuit involving former principal
The Santa Cruz City Schools district has agreed to settle a lawsuit with two former students who accused ex-principal Steven Myers of sexual abuse in the late 1980s. The men allege Myers gave students massages, encouraged minimal clothing and provided drugs during a summer program he supervised.