The Breakfast Club at Midtown is set to take over the former Alderwood Pacific spot in downtown Santa Cruz, while a few blocks away, gluten-free farmers market standby Switch Bakery will open in the former Café Limelight early next month.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Dec. 16
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.
Posted inThe Lookout List
Local favorites make perfect gifts: Explore the Lookout List winners
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, […]
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 inFood & Drink
Eaters Digest: Ube Overnight Oats at Cat & Cloud
A stop at Cat & Cloud’s Westside Santa Cruz café leads to a delicious breakfast discovery for Lily Belli, whose Friday newsletter also includes event recommendations for the weekend and beyond and food & drink stories you might’ve missed.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best 9: Top events for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, Dec. 11-18
With the weekend nearly here, check out Wallace Baine’s Best 9 recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County via Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inLatest News
PG&E drones deploy across Central Coast to identify power line problems ahead of winter storms
Pacific Gas & Electric is deploying drones to remote areas of Santa Cruz County to monitor power lines and identify problems ahead of winter storms.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors, county executive voice support after veterans outline concerns over service agency
Military veterans packed Tuesday’s meeting of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to advocate for changes at the county Veterans Services Office. Executive Officer Nicole Coburn outlined steps the county has planned to support the VSO’s new director.
Posted inLatest News
Hazardous beach conditions, large shore breaks in Santa Cruz County forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement for Santa Cruz County through Sunday evening, warning of rip currents and large waves.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Law enforcement data shows 29 total ICE action notifications in county between January and November
Federal immigration officials visited the city of Santa Cruz at least once since late July, according to communication records provided by the police department. This increases the total number of courtesy notifications from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to local law enforcement since January to 29.