A half-century after Richard Hoover co-founded Santa Cruz Guitar Company, the internationally acclaimed guitar maker is celebrating its roots with a museum exhibit, concerts and a one-of-a-kind guitar crafted from Santa Cruz redwood and sycamore.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inLatest News
Surprised, but honored: First same-sex couple to be married in Santa Cruz County returns as grand marshals for Pride
Gail Groves and Dinah Phillips, the first same-sex couple to be married in Santa Cruz County in June 2008, will lead this year’s Pride festivities alongside Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, who officiated their wedding. In being named for this honor, they bring attention to the importance of LGBTQ+ love being normalized and validated.
Posted inEvents
Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, June 4-7
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 inFood & Drink
The best things I ate and drank in Santa Cruz County in May
A monthly roundup of Santa Cruz County dining highlights celebrates the start of summer with four finds: a fruit-packed aguanada in Watsonville, a savory martini in Aptos, a wood-fired seafood platter in Live Oak and chilaquiles paired with a banana milk latte from a food truck in Santa Cruz.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Planning commission weighs next steps for Front & Laurel project; apple farmers face shift as Martinelli’s cancels contracts
This week in local business, Jessica M. Pasko has the latest on a proposed mixed-use development in downtown Santa Cruz, a seismic development for South County apple growers and names, numbers and dates to know.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Election Day in Santa Cruz County: How and where to vote and what to know about all the races
Get all the information you need as a Santa Cruz County voter as the June 2 primary election arrives.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘The Lost Boys’: How Santa Cruz became Santa Carla
Forty years after “The Lost Boys” transformed Santa Cruz into the fictional vampire haven of Santa Carla, the cult classic still pulses through the town’s identity. Part 1 of a three-part series explores the film’s enduring lure, outsider mythology and the strange cultural magic of 1980s Santa Cruz.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Citing budgetary woes, Housing Matters moves to decrease capacity at Rebele Family Shelter and Recuperative Care Center
Homelessness nonprofit Housing Matters announced Friday that it will reduce capacity at the Rebele Family Shelter on Coral Street and its off-site recuperative care center at the former Salt Air Lodge on Leibrandt Avenue, as both are “operating with significant budgetary deficits.” CEO Phil Kramer said the move is likely to take place over the next month or so, but none of the current occupants will be forced out early.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Your guide to the 2026 Santa Cruz County primary election
Get all the information you need as a Santa Cruz County voter on candidates and important dates as the June 2 primary election draws closer.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Council could move in June to put amendments to Santa Cruz city charter on November ballot
The Santa Cruz City Council conducted a public hearing this week on proposed city charter amendments to update and clarify language, and to make a number of other changes to comply with state law. Staff is expected to return in June with a resolution to put the proposed changes to voters on the November ballot.
