WEEKENDER
Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out in Santa Cruz County.
Oct. 1, 2026
OPEN STUDIOS, PORCHFEST, GOURMET GRAZING
This is one of those weekends that makes you grateful to live here, with community celebrations of art and culture popping up across Santa Cruz County — many free, all vibrant.
Open Studios Art Tour 2026 kicks off this weekend in South County, when artists from Live Oak to Watsonville will open their homes, studios and art spaces to visitors from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. No tickets needed — just come through.
On Saturday starting at noon, the inaugural Santa Cruz Porchfest turns homes throughout downtown Santa Cruz into mini-venues with live music by area bands. Check out Lookout Art & Entertainment Correspondent Alia Yee Noll’s preview of Santa Cruz’s newest music festival. No tickets necessary.
The Harvest Festival also returns to downtown Santa Cruz on Saturday. This free family-friendly event offers old-fashioned games and activities, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, edible treats and a celebration of the season.
And in Aptos, one of the county’s premier food festivals, Gourmet Grazing on the Green, returns to Aptos Village Park for a day of noshing, sampling and sipping at dozens of area wineries, breweries, restaurants and food businesses. Tickets start at $104.74 for unlimited bites. – Lily Belli
UPCOMING EVENTS YOU’LL LOVE
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FROM THE LOOKOUT LIST
BEST DOG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
HULA’S ISLAND GRILL
“Best sidewalk dining in Santa Cruz. Plenty of space, and dog water bowls for the four-legged friends.”
ICYMI: ARTS & DINING STORIES
A TREAT BEFORE YOU GO
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