WEEKENDER
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County.
Jan. 15, 2026
PLAN THIS
There’s something about a new year that awakens my type-A middle school self, and inspires me to buy a new planner – a real one, with pages – and a glittery pen to write in all the fun things I’m going to this year. If that image resonates with you, even metaphorically, here are four winter and spring food and drink events to pencil in for 2026.
Following the Holiday Mega Market in December, Collective Santa Cruz is continuing its residency at the old Logos Books building in downtown Santa Cruz with a love-themed event next month. The Valentine’s Mega Market will pop up Feb. 14-15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with two stories of artists, food vendors, treats and live entertainment. I have hearts in my eyes already.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Clam Chowder Cook-Off returns Feb. 21-22. Think you have what it takes to go ladle-to-ladle with restaurants and amateur cooks from across the region? Register by Feb. 8 to compete for the best New England (cream-based) or red (tomato-based) soup.
The Grand Wine Tasting, hosted by Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains, returns to the iconic Mountain Winery in Saratoga on March 29. Although this event is technically in Santa Clara County, it features dozens of wineries based in the Santa Cruz area. There is a $10-15 early bird discount if you purchase tickets by Feb. 19.
The hoity-toity yet oh-so-tasty Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival released its lineup of talent this week, featuring local and celebrity chefs and winemakers from across the nation. On April 9-12, the culinary world will take over the gorgeous Monterey Peninsula golf club with four days of events. I went to the Sunday tasting pavilion last year, and had a blast. Here were my takeaways, if you want to go this year.
– Lily Belli
UPCOMING EVENTS YOU’LL LOVE
FROM THE LOOKOUT LIST
FAVORITE BAKERY FOR CAKES/SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria
“Their cakes are always amazing and they have the largest selection of walk-in variety.”
ICYMI: ARTS & DINING STORIES
A TREAT BEFORE YOU GO
Play the Mini Crossword Puzzle of the Day
Quick, clever and bite-sized.
Sudoku, crosswords and more word puzzles await – play new daily puzzles in the free Lookout App. Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.