The new downtown expansion district, an affordable housing measure and a rail-trail compromise all came to fruition in 2025. Now, Fred Keeley, Santa Cruz’s first four-year elected mayor, looks to his final year in office.
Westside / Downtown
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best 9: Top New Year’s Eve events in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment
Check out Wallace Baine’s Best 9 recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County on New Year’s Eve (literally and spiritually) via Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.
Posted inFood & Drink
Expanding Bad Animal will feature modern Parisian bistro-inspired menu as it reopens its restaurant in January
Bad Animal will reopen its restaurant in January with former Hanloh chef de cuisine Nick Hahn, ending its long-running residency model and shifting the menu from Thai food to a modern Parisian bistro style influenced by both California ingredients and Hahn’s Korean heritage.
Posted inEducation
Seymour Marine Discovery Center prepares for biggest exhibition update since its opening 25 years ago: See More HQ
For the first time since opening 25 years ago, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center will debut a new permanent exhibit this spring, See More HQ, designed to position the center as a collaborative hub connecting local scientists, community groups and the public around coastal resilience.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Joby ramps up for 2026, its target year for commercial service launch; looking at businesses that closed in 2025
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on where Joby Aviation stands ahead of what’s poised to be a big year for the Santa Cruz-based company, reviews closures around the county and highlights names and dates to know.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Dec. 23
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 inLatest News
Newsmakers 2025: A year after wharf collapse, the worker who fell into the ocean is back to business as usual
A year ago, City of Santa Cruz Development Manager Norm Daly plunged into stormy waters when the section of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf he was standing on collapsed. Now, he’s back on the job like nothing ever happened, working to bring the end of the wharf back to life.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
A pelagic perspective on the day waves swept away the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf
The collapse of the end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, one year ago Tuesday, inspired artist Laurel Bushman to create a comic looking at the event from the point of view of a pair of sea lions.
Posted inLatest News
Monday evening traffic: One-way closure on Hwy 9 at Lorenzo Ave. until 2026
Monday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: RTC seeking public input on long-term regional plan
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is asking for public input on priorities for its draft 2050 regional transportation plan for the county before it heads to a public hearing at the commission’s January meeting. Meanwhile, county public health received state funding for a variety of traffic safety programs.