Santa Cruz County officials publicly struggled through the most recent budget process due to the increasing cost and frequency of natural disasters. Now, as insurance companies drop thousands of residents due to increased wildfire risk, the board of supervisors will consider a new camping program that fire protection officials say will make the county more vulnerable to wildfires.
San Lorenzo Valley
Posted inFood & Drink
Hot dog! Here’s where to enjoy the best hot dogs of the summer in Santa Cruz County
Hot dogs are an iconic summer meal, and in Santa Cruz County, six hot dog vendors plus one café are offering fresh takes on the classic all year long. Lily Belli tried them all, and brings a recommendation from each.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Is your nearby road being resurfaced this summer?
Various roads throughout Santa Cruz County will undergo resurfacing over the next few months, all funded by 2016’s Measure D. However, the extensive repaving project is largely “a drop in the bucket” when it comes to improving county road conditions.
Posted inFood & Drink
Best of Santa Cruz County food & drink events, June 14-20
Lookout food & drink correspondent Lily Belli highlights top events happening around Santa Cruz County in the coming week, plus more listings from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inFood & Drink
Laurie Love on Wine: Surf City Wine Walk highlights, David Bruce milestone & Wine of the Week returns
In her biweekly column, Lookout wine expert Laurie Love spotlights the best of last weekend’s Surf City Wine Walk, notes a milestone for a Santa Cruz Mountains stalwart, pops the cork on her latest Wine of the Week and lists local events you’ll want to add to your calendar.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
An artist’s-eye view of the ecological renewal at Big Basin
Big Basin Redwoods State Park invited 18 local visual artists to meditate on what California’s oldest state park has become since the devastating CZU fires of 2020. Those artistic interpretations are now ready for the public and will be on display this Saturday.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Roads are squeezed as Santa Cruz County passes a ‘survival budget’
Santa Cruz County will put more than $83 million into its road network this year, including tens of millions dedicated to lingering storm repairs. However, a new report from the county’s civil grand jury says that number is a fraction of what is needed.
Posted inFood & Drink
Eaters Digest: Chicago Dog at River Dogs of Boulder Creek
It’s off to Boulder Creek to get an authentic Vienna Beef dog the Chicago way for Lily Belli.
Posted inFood & Drink
This Boulder Creek hot dog stand serves the only true Chicago dog in Santa Cruz County
The owners of River Dogs of Boulder Creek had to attend Vienna Beef’s Hot Dog University before the famed Chicago company would allow them to sell its all-beef hot dogs. But it was worth it, say Paul Faraone and Chris McCann, who now sell the only “real deal” Chicago dog in Central California. Last week, River Dogs established a satellite location for the summer at Humble Sea Brewing’s beer garden on the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Baine’s Nine: Nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, June 6-13
With the weekend nearly here, get your B9 shot in the form of Baine’s Nine, Wallace Baine’s recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County via Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.