The city of Santa Cruz has lost 1.3% of its population since 2024 and 3.7% since 2020, a Lookout analysis of the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau finds. The decline is part of a broader exodus from expensive places in California where people struggle to land high-paying jobs.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Renee Golder for Santa Cruz City Council District 6
Local government works best when experience, relationships and institutional knowledge are already in place on Day 1. In the race for Santa Cruz City Council District 6, Renee Golder offers that readiness in a way that stands out, the Lookout Editorial Board writes in its endorsement.
Posted inLatest News
Advocates rally in Live Oak in support of rail, urge RTC to keep tracks intact
Rail and transit advocates gathered near the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line tracks in Live Oak on Wednesday to rally in support of passenger rail, and to urge the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission not to remove any of the existing tracks as planners work to develop designs for 8 miles of trail between the San Lorenzo River trestle bridge and State Park Drive in Aptos.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Scott Newsome for Santa Cruz City Council District 4
Santa Cruz City Council’s District 4 race offers voters a choice between two candidates who reflect different strengths – and different limitations. In the end, the Lookout Editorial Board gives a light endorsement to Scott Newsome over Hector Marin.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Shrinking UCSC’s college system means more than losing my provost position; students will lose access and mentorship
UC Santa Cruz says its college provost reorganization is about investment and efficiency. But UCSC professor and current provost of Oakes College Marcia Ochoa says the changes were made with little consultation, will weaken students’ sense of belonging on campus and might actually cost the university more money. Ochoa is being pushed out of their provost position in the restructuring, but says it’s the students who will lose the most.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Ryan Coonerty for Santa Cruz mayor
The Lookout Editorial Board endorses Ryan Coonerty for mayor of Santa Cruz. The mayor’s race will help usher in the next Santa Cruz – shaped by new housing mandates, changing expectations around public space and ongoing decisions about how our community grows while holding on to what makes us special, the board writes. Coonerty is the candidate best prepared to help guide that transition.
Posted inLatest News
Two-week-long prescribed burns planned for Henry Cowell area
California State Parks, in partnership with Cal Fire, is planning to conduct prescribed burns in the sandhills area of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park beginning next week.
Posted inEducation
Group of UCSC faculty fights to restore language programs, prevent pending cuts
UC Santa Cruz faculty members are pushing back against planned cuts to the university’s languages department, including the elimination of all Arabic courses next year. Administrators say the reductions are necessary due to budget constraints and declining enrollment, while faculty argue that the cuts harm cultural learning and student community spaces.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Weekender: Luminous beach parties, Vegan Challenge winners and name a beer for Scotts Valley
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County this weekend.
Posted inEvents
Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, May 14-17
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.