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.
Food & Entertainment | Area Guides | Outdoor Activities | Civic & Safety | Kids & Parenting | Students
Food & Entertainment
By Ashley Spencer

Breakfast at the Westside farmers market to vino with a view to dinner al fresco in Boulder Creek and Soquel, summertime...

Breakfast at the Westside farmers market to vino with a view to dinner al fresco in Boulder Creek and Soquel, summertime...
By Lily Belli

Forty food trucks and pop-ups now dot the Santa Cruz County landscape. Call it global food tourism — within 30 minutes....

Forty food trucks and pop-ups now dot the Santa Cruz County landscape. Call it global food tourism — within 30 minutes....
By Lily Belli

Here are a dozen places to celebrate the summer with a cold buzz (beware of the brain freeze!) — and leave 7-Eleven...

Here are a dozen places to celebrate the summer with a cold buzz (beware of the brain freeze!) — and leave 7-Eleven...
By Liza Monroy

From breakfast through after-dinner dessert and just about every other eating and drinking opportunity in between, Santa...

From breakfast through after-dinner dessert and just about every other eating and drinking opportunity in between, Santa...
By Lily Belli

The state of California mandated home composting on Jan. 1, but some Santa Cruz County residents have been scratching...

The state of California mandated home composting on Jan. 1, but some Santa Cruz County residents have been scratching...
By Lily Belli

Inspired by the Open Studios Art Tour, which kicks off this weekend, the Open Farm Tours show kids — and adults — where...

Inspired by the Open Studios Art Tour, which kicks off this weekend, the Open Farm Tours show kids — and adults — where...

With the Open Studios Art Tour set for the weekends of Oct. 1-2, Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 15-16, here’s your guide for getting...

With the Open Studios Art Tour set for the weekends of Oct. 1-2, Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 15-16, here’s your guide for getting...
By Lily Belli

With a two-year pause leading to high demand, local chefs, farms and winemakers are putting on their best al fresco show...

With a two-year pause leading to high demand, local chefs, farms and winemakers are putting on their best al fresco show...

Summer returns, and we’ve got a preview of the don’t-miss events. But there are questions, as the landscape is changing....

Summer returns, and we’ve got a preview of the don’t-miss events. But there are questions, as the landscape is changing....
-
By Ashley Spencer
Quick Take
Breakfast at the Westside farmers market to vino with a view to dinner al fresco in Boulder Creek and Soquel, summertime...
Quick Take
Breakfast at the Westside farmers market to vino with a view to dinner al fresco in Boulder Creek and Soquel, summertime...
-
-
By Lily Belli
Quick Take
Forty food trucks and pop-ups now dot the Santa Cruz County landscape. Call it global food tourism — within 30 minutes....
Quick Take
Forty food trucks and pop-ups now dot the Santa Cruz County landscape. Call it global food tourism — within 30 minutes....
-
By Lily Belli
Quick Take
Here are a dozen places to celebrate the summer with a cold buzz (beware of the brain freeze!) — and leave 7-Eleven...
Quick Take
Here are a dozen places to celebrate the summer with a cold buzz (beware of the brain freeze!) — and leave 7-Eleven...
-
By Liza Monroy
Quick Take
From breakfast through after-dinner dessert and just about every other eating and drinking opportunity in between, Santa...
Quick Take
From breakfast through after-dinner dessert and just about every other eating and drinking opportunity in between, Santa...
-
By Lily Belli
Quick Take
The state of California mandated home composting on Jan. 1, but some Santa Cruz County residents have been scratching...
Quick Take
The state of California mandated home composting on Jan. 1, but some Santa Cruz County residents have been scratching...
-
By Lily Belli
Quick Take
Inspired by the Open Studios Art Tour, which kicks off this weekend, the Open Farm Tours show kids — and adults — where...
Quick Take
Inspired by the Open Studios Art Tour, which kicks off this weekend, the Open Farm Tours show kids — and adults — where...
-
Quick Take
With the Open Studios Art Tour set for the weekends of Oct. 1-2, Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 15-16, here’s your guide for getting...
Quick Take
With the Open Studios Art Tour set for the weekends of Oct. 1-2, Oct. 8-9 and Oct. 15-16, here’s your guide for getting...
-
By Lily Belli
Quick Take
With a two-year pause leading to high demand, local chefs, farms and winemakers are putting on their best al fresco show...
Quick Take
With a two-year pause leading to high demand, local chefs, farms and winemakers are putting on their best al fresco show...
-
Quick Take
Summer returns, and we’ve got a preview of the don’t-miss events. But there are questions, as the landscape is changing....
Quick Take
Summer returns, and we’ve got a preview of the don’t-miss events. But there are questions, as the landscape is changing....
Area Guides
By Neal Kearney

Pleasure Point’s beat-up beach cottages are being torn down to erect multistory, multimillion-dollar homes. For lifelong...

Pleasure Point’s beat-up beach cottages are being torn down to erect multistory, multimillion-dollar homes. For lifelong...
By Amber Turpin

Lookout’s Area Guides are an in-depth look at some of the cities and communities that make Santa Cruz County the unique...

Lookout’s Area Guides are an in-depth look at some of the cities and communities that make Santa Cruz County the unique...
By Liza Monroy

It’s the San Lorenzo River geographically, but it’s as much a well-developed state of mind. Liza Monroy picks that...

It’s the San Lorenzo River geographically, but it’s as much a well-developed state of mind. Liza Monroy picks that...
By Laura Albrecht

Our Area Guide feature continues with Laura Albrecht digging into what makes the community of Scotts Valley a desirable...

Our Area Guide feature continues with Laura Albrecht digging into what makes the community of Scotts Valley a desirable...
-
By Neal Kearney
Quick Take
Pleasure Point’s beat-up beach cottages are being torn down to erect multistory, multimillion-dollar homes. For lifelong...
Quick Take
Pleasure Point’s beat-up beach cottages are being torn down to erect multistory, multimillion-dollar homes. For lifelong...
-
By Amber Turpin
Quick Take
Lookout’s Area Guides are an in-depth look at some of the cities and communities that make Santa Cruz County the unique...
Quick Take
Lookout’s Area Guides are an in-depth look at some of the cities and communities that make Santa Cruz County the unique...
-
By Liza Monroy
Quick Take
It’s the San Lorenzo River geographically, but it’s as much a well-developed state of mind. Liza Monroy picks that...
Quick Take
It’s the San Lorenzo River geographically, but it’s as much a well-developed state of mind. Liza Monroy picks that...
-
By Laura Albrecht
Quick Take
Our Area Guide feature continues with Laura Albrecht digging into what makes the community of Scotts Valley a desirable...
Quick Take
Our Area Guide feature continues with Laura Albrecht digging into what makes the community of Scotts Valley a desirable...
Outdoor Activities
By Mark Conley

Everyone seems to be talking about this little brother of tennis, cousin of pingpong and distant relative of badminton,...

Everyone seems to be talking about this little brother of tennis, cousin of pingpong and distant relative of badminton,...
By Liza Monroy

Whether in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, the waters just off Santa Cruz County are swimming with possibilities....

Whether in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, the waters just off Santa Cruz County are swimming with possibilities....
By Amy Ettinger

The world has been a bit upside down, from COVID-19 to economic and wildfire recovery. Here’s our Lookout Guide to...

The world has been a bit upside down, from COVID-19 to economic and wildfire recovery. Here’s our Lookout Guide to...
By Liza Monroy

With the concurrent arrival of fall and the season’s first northwest swell, which brought large waves to Santa Cruz’s...

With the concurrent arrival of fall and the season’s first northwest swell, which brought large waves to Santa Cruz’s...
By Liza Monroy

If it still feels too soon to take a vacation-vacation, or you just didn’t get around to planning one, rejoice in all...

If it still feels too soon to take a vacation-vacation, or you just didn’t get around to planning one, rejoice in all...

Lawns are so 20th century, and they’re disappearing from the local landscape. But what to plant as water supply gets...

Lawns are so 20th century, and they’re disappearing from the local landscape. But what to plant as water supply gets...
-
By Mark Conley
Quick Take
Everyone seems to be talking about this little brother of tennis, cousin of pingpong and distant relative of badminton,...
Quick Take
Everyone seems to be talking about this little brother of tennis, cousin of pingpong and distant relative of badminton,...
-
By Liza Monroy
Quick Take
Whether in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, the waters just off Santa Cruz County are swimming with possibilities....
Quick Take
Whether in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, the waters just off Santa Cruz County are swimming with possibilities....
-
By Amy Ettinger
Quick Take
The world has been a bit upside down, from COVID-19 to economic and wildfire recovery. Here’s our Lookout Guide to...
Quick Take
The world has been a bit upside down, from COVID-19 to economic and wildfire recovery. Here’s our Lookout Guide to...
-
By Liza Monroy
Quick Take
With the concurrent arrival of fall and the season’s first northwest swell, which brought large waves to Santa Cruz’s...
Quick Take
With the concurrent arrival of fall and the season’s first northwest swell, which brought large waves to Santa Cruz’s...
-
By Liza Monroy
Quick Take
If it still feels too soon to take a vacation-vacation, or you just didn’t get around to planning one, rejoice in all...
Quick Take
If it still feels too soon to take a vacation-vacation, or you just didn’t get around to planning one, rejoice in all...
-
Quick Take
Lawns are so 20th century, and they’re disappearing from the local landscape. But what to plant as water supply gets...
Quick Take
Lawns are so 20th century, and they’re disappearing from the local landscape. But what to plant as water supply gets...
Civic & Safety
By Jessica Pasko

We recently told you how folks in need can get food amid the pandemic. Now, we’re telling you how you can pitch in to...

We recently told you how folks in need can get food amid the pandemic. Now, we’re telling you how you can pitch in to...
By Cypress Hansen

Lookout Santa Cruz’s Wildfire Resource Center is a one-stop guide to everything you need to keep your family and...

Lookout Santa Cruz’s Wildfire Resource Center is a one-stop guide to everything you need to keep your family and...

Four redone Santa Cruz County library branches have reopened and four more will throw open their doors by the end of the...

Four redone Santa Cruz County library branches have reopened and four more will throw open their doors by the end of the...
-
By Jessica Pasko
Quick Take
We recently told you how folks in need can get food amid the pandemic. Now, we’re telling you how you can pitch in to...
Quick Take
We recently told you how folks in need can get food amid the pandemic. Now, we’re telling you how you can pitch in to...
-
By Cypress Hansen
Quick Take
Lookout Santa Cruz’s Wildfire Resource Center is a one-stop guide to everything you need to keep your family and...
Quick Take
Lookout Santa Cruz’s Wildfire Resource Center is a one-stop guide to everything you need to keep your family and...
-
Quick Take
Four redone Santa Cruz County library branches have reopened and four more will throw open their doors by the end of the...
Quick Take
Four redone Santa Cruz County library branches have reopened and four more will throw open their doors by the end of the...
Kids & Parenting
By Liza Monroy

Who is ready to let the kids out and into summer classes? Parenting columnist Liza Monroy has tracked down the best of...

Who is ready to let the kids out and into summer classes? Parenting columnist Liza Monroy has tracked down the best of...
By Liza Monroy

More than ever, COVID-beleaguered parents need “Waves of Self Care: It Takes a Village,” the new book by Capitola’s...

More than ever, COVID-beleaguered parents need “Waves of Self Care: It Takes a Village,” the new book by Capitola’s...
-
By Liza Monroy
Quick Take
Who is ready to let the kids out and into summer classes? Parenting columnist Liza Monroy has tracked down the best of...
Quick Take
Who is ready to let the kids out and into summer classes? Parenting columnist Liza Monroy has tracked down the best of...
-
By Liza Monroy
Quick Take
More than ever, COVID-beleaguered parents need “Waves of Self Care: It Takes a Village,” the new book by Capitola’s...
Quick Take
More than ever, COVID-beleaguered parents need “Waves of Self Care: It Takes a Village,” the new book by Capitola’s...
Students

Welcome Banana Slugs! This is your introduction to all things Santa Cruz. Enjoy, explore and learn about your new home.

Welcome Banana Slugs! This is your introduction to all things Santa Cruz. Enjoy, explore and learn about your new home.
-
Quick Take
Welcome Banana Slugs! This is your introduction to all things Santa Cruz. Enjoy, explore and learn about your new home.
Quick Take
Welcome Banana Slugs! This is your introduction to all things Santa Cruz. Enjoy, explore and learn about your new home.