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.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
No trees, no voice: How the City of Santa Cruz is greenlighting development without the public
After Santa Cruz’s planning commission approved doing away with public hearings for some large affordable housing projects and moved a special zoning area forward, activist Gillian Greensite warns that the public could not only be robbed of its voice but of some of the city’s heritage trees, too.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Santa Cruz City Council to reconsider Flock contract; anti-ICE protests; Donna Lind takes reins again in Scotts Valley
Around Santa Cruz County politics & policy, including what’s on the agenda this week for county supervisors and local city councils and boards.
Posted inEducation
UC Santa Cruz family student housing opening delayed about six months
The opening of UC Santa Cruz’s new family student housing complex, which includes 120 two-bedroom units and an expanded child care center, has been delayed by about six months due to construction issues, university officials said. Student families say the repeated delays are disrupting housing and child care plans and straining household budgets as they wait for the long-anticipated move.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios for sale: Changes coming for another beloved pillar of local music scene
Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios is for sale. Its longtime owner-operators, Jenn and Paul Gallacher, hope to sell to someone who wants to keep the music rehearsal spaces on Coral Street open and continue running the business.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Public works exploring options for latest West Cliff erosion; public hearing for 2050 regional transportation plan
While the latest erosion on West Cliff Drive isn’t endangering public access or infrastructure, the City of Santa Cruz is still looking at ways to handle the damage in both the short and long term. Meanwhile, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday for its 2050 regional transportation plan.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters fill Santa Cruz’s Ocean Street, remembering Renee Good
As hundreds gathered to protest the killing of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis last week, organizers urged the public to get involved. ”Find a political home in Santa Cruz County,” one organizer told Lookout as ICE monitoring activity grows locally.
Posted inFood & Drink
Eaters Digest: Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
The Santa Cruz Fungus Fair kicks off Friday afternoon and runs through Sunday at London Nelson Community Center downtown, and Lily Belli is all-in. Her Friday newsletter also includes food & drink event recommendations and news stories you might have missed.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz City Council to consider ending Flock Safety contract at Tuesday meeting
The Santa Cruz City Council will weigh pulling out of its contract with Flock Safety at its Tuesday meeting after several recent data breaches and sustained community pushback about the use of the company’s automatic license plate readers.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
What people in downtown Santa Cruz are looking forward to in 2026, and what they’re worried about
When Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud talked to people on the street in downtown Santa Cruz about what they’re looking forward to in 2026, the answers varied – but housing was a consistent theme.