WEEKENDER
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County.
Feb. 12, 2026
A LOVE-LY THREE-DAY WEEKEND
Presidents Day weekend kicks off with Valentine’s Day on Saturday, and love is in the air with a robust lineup of events happening throughout Santa Cruz County, no matter your relationship status or your feelings about the holiday.
There are plenty of date-night options, like reservations at restaurants like Shadowbrook in Capitola and wine bars like Vino by the Sea, which are offering special menus on Feb. 14, or a Valentine’s Cookie Workshop at Lito’s Community Cafe and Market in Corralitos. And sensual dance performance “What is Erotic?” returns to The 418 Project in Santa Cruz with a new show: “Reflection.”
Collective Santa Cruz is hosting a Valentine’s Day Mega Market on Saturday and Sunday inside the former Logos Books & Records in downtown Santa Cruz, with food vendors, artists and craft vendors. On Saturday evening, the Tortilla Soup nine-piece band is throwing a Red & Roses Valentine’s Party in the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk ballroom for 21-plus adults only.
Kids can celebrate love and agriculture at Hearts and Chocolate on the Farm with the Agricultural History Project at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds with Valentine’s activities, crafts, puppet shows and even driving a tractor.
For solo celebrators, Bruno’s Bar and Grill in Scotts Valley is hosting a Stupid Cupid Anti-Valentine’s Day Party for Singles, with no couples allowed. And the Santa Cruz Moose Lodge is hosting its 20th annual unValentine’s Day costume party, with a live band and taco truck.
– Lily Belli
UPCOMING EVENTS YOU’LL LOVE
FROM THE LOOKOUT LIST
FAVORITE SWEET TREAT
THE PENNY ICE CREAMERY
“Clean ingredients, unique flavors, local dedication, fun staff.”
ICYMI: ARTS & DINING STORIES
A TREAT BEFORE YOU GO
If you feel like sharing something sweet with your sweetie – or splurging on something delicious for yourself – don’t miss this list of six over-the-top Valentine’s Day desserts at Santa Cruz County bakeries and restaurants, from a bouquet of conchas to super-sized sundaes and red velvet churros.
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.