Guides

From neighborhoods to parenting, Lookout’s guides help you feel more connected to Santa Cruz County. Don’t see a guide for something you’ve been wanting to explore? Send us a note at news@lookoutlocal.com.

our latest guides

What to know before visiting the newly opened Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument

August 19, 2025August 19, 2025

The ultimate guide to seafood restaurants with a view in Santa Cruz County

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025

From dead-end roads to ocean sunsets: Locals share their favorite places to bike, hike and walk in Santa Cruz County

July 14, 2025July 14, 2025

Load more posts

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Jump to: Food & Drink / Outdoor Activities / Area Guides / Civic & Safety / Kids & Parenting / Students

FOOD & DRINK

Santa Cruz pizza guide: Does our pizza-obsessed county have its own style?

Hot dog! Here’s where to enjoy the best hot dogs of the summer in Santa Cruz County

The 15 best sandwiches in Santa Cruz County

A guide to the best burgers in Santa Cruz County

These views weren’t made for just walking: Where to get breakfast, lunch and dinner along West Cliff Drive

Cocoa-nuts rejoice: Santa Cruz County chocolatiers have a match for every dad this Father’s Day

Santa Cruz County farmers markets: The definitive guide to locations, vendors and shopping tips

South County sips: A guide to the Corralitos wine scene

Craft beer on every corner: A guide to Santa Cruz County’s world-class scene

In vino veritas: A guide to Westside Santa Cruz’s walkable wine scene

Bountiful pop-up fare for spring, summer and beyond: The 2023 farm-to-table guide for Santa Cruz County

Guide to food trucks and pop-ups in Santa Cruz County

Slurps up!: Lily’s guide to the best hard slushies in Santa Cruz County

Green miles: A vegan roadmap to Santa Cruz

Ask Lookout: It seems like everyone is already composting kitchen waste, but I still don’t have my bin. Where is it?

Outdoor Activities

Zip line the redwoods, take a forest bath, ride the rails, row a boat — choose your own Felton summer adventure

A day away in Pescadero: Elephant seals at Año Nuevo, an award-winning tavern and baby goats

Santa Cruz road trip: A day away in Monterey

Bivalve bonanza: A guide to foraging for mussels in Santa Cruz County

Will pickleball take over the planet? We investigate this ‘fastest-growing sport’; laughter, trash talk ensue

Into the blue: Your guide to Santa Cruz coastal exploration

Six hikes to get you outside and soothe the soul

May the stoke be with you! Surf season is here & so too is this handy guide to Santa Cruz surf schools

Staycation Santa Cruz: Your guide to living the tourist life with none of the hassle and limited expense

Salvias, sages and succulents: A Santa Cruz gardener’s guide to dealing with drought

AREA GUIDES

Pleasure Point: A rapidly changing, surf-obsessed neighborhood with a gritty past

What makes the Westside the Westside?

Westside: Iconic landmarks & can’t-miss institutions

Scotts Valley, a (really nice) place apart

A guide to Ben Lomond, Brookdale & Boulder Creek

CIVIC & SAFETY

Wildfire Resource Center Part 1: Everything you need to get ready for wildfire season

Wildfire Resource Center Part 2: What to do during the dry season, when fire risk is high

Wildfire Resource Center Part 3: What to do during a wildfire

When is your new library ready? A Lookout guide to the emerging branches

Feeding Santa Cruz Part 1: How the hungry can get help during the coronavirus pandemic

Feeding Santa Cruz Part II: How to volunteer or donate to help the hungry

KIDS & PARENTING

Nine fun places for kids’ — in-person! — group classes around Santa Cruz County

On self-care — and date night! — for Santa Cruz parents

Students

Santa Cruz student deals & discounts

Santa Cruz student recommendations

Eats on a budget in Santa Cruz