Looking for local favorites this holiday season? Browse a selection of 2025 Lookout List winners below. This Lookout reader-nominated group showcases Santa Cruz County’s most beloved shops, boutiques, makers and specialty retailers — all chosen by our community for their exceptional quality, service and creativity. Whether you need something unique, practical, luxurious or totally unexpected, […]
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Posted inLatest News
Morning Lookout: Investors’ impact on local real estate; PVUSD families organize to fight layoffs; downtown Santa Cruz development overview
Santa Cruz County news and opinion headlines from Lookout for the morning of Monday, Dec. 15.
Posted inLatest News
Monday evening traffic: Highway 9 closures, Hwy 1 crash, Scotts Valley hazard
Monday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inHousing & Development
Deep-pocketed investors account for a third of home purchases in Santa Cruz County
Since 2021, investors have spent nearly $1.45 billion on purchases of single-family homes in Santa Cruz County, accounting for around 44% of total sales value.
Posted inEducation
‘This is just the beginning of the fight’: Pajaro Valley families organize after school board votes for major cuts in staff
After the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board voted to cut up to 160 jobs, community members are organizing to do what they can to stop the district from implementing all the layoffs, which they say will be devastating to students.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Capitola to consider next steps for Grand Avenue pathway in the spring
The Capitola City Council allocated $13,000 toward a concept plan for the Grand Avenue pathway, which is expected to inform the council’s next steps, including whether or not the city wants to commit to a project at all.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville receives $39 million grant for transit center redevelopment project
The City of Watsonville, in partnership with Santa Cruz Metro and MidPen Housing, was awarded a $39 million grant for the Watsonville Metro Project through the state’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program.
Posted inLatest News
Sunday Reads: Where downtown Santa Cruz’s transformation stands; progress over paralysis on rail trail
Specially curated stories from Lookout Santa Cruz correspondents and opinion pieces from contributors.
Posted inHousing & Development
Are we there yet? As 2026 dawns, downtown Santa Cruz is still in the middle of a long process to transformation
As 2025 morphs into 2026, Santa Cruz’s downtown is still deep in the middle of a major transformation. A new proposal for The Catalyst building has many up in arms, while fans of the new library quietly wait for 2028. Here’s an overview of where all the projects stand.
Posted inLatest News
Lookout PM: Pajaro Valley school board cuts 160 jobs, Cat & Cloud’s ube overnight oats, and hope for Dungeness crab season
Welcome to Friday night’s Lookout PM. Find the latest Lookout List winners and runners-up here. Be sure to sign up for our breaking news email alerts here, and download the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Pajaro Valley school board votes to cut nearly 160 jobs, more than 40 in special education, […]