Welcome to Lookout’s Member Center

If you are a Lookout member and you are actively supporting Lookout’s journalists this page is for you.

Check in regularly for exclusive events, deals, perks, and updates to get the most out of your membership. Make sure to check out the FAQ at the bottom to easily access all of Lookout’s content.

Not a member yet? Sign up here.

Not sure if you’re member? Email membership@lookoutlocal.com

Join a Terrarium Workshop

Lookout Santa Cruz invites members and readers to join their event series “Inside Santa Cruz.” The series works to bring people together to explore the unique, noteworthy, or “under the radar” happenings and offerings of Santa Cruz.

On June 15, join an exclusive tour and terrarium workshop with locally owned and operated, Little Shop of Horticulture.

At the start of this event we’ll go behind the scenes at this botanical based design and event studio with a tour of the space and a talk about how it came to life. Then get crafty with an easy, hands-on terrarium planting workshop, where you will create your own design using sand, rocks, glass decor and air plants. Finish off this happy hour event with some light refreshments and social time. Space is limited so reserve your ticket today!

This event is FREE for Lookout members

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CHECK YOUR NEWSLETTER PREFERENCES

Visit the Newsletter & Text Center to see what’s new

GIFT A MEMBERSHIP

Share Lookout with friends and family with a special $99 annual price.

Purchase a gift membership now

SIGN UP FOR BREAKING NEWS TEXT ALERTS

Be in the know of all the big, breaking news in Santa Cruz as it happens. You sign up to get Lookout alerts sent straight to your phone here or below.

Lookout Members Giveback

Lookout donates 10% of every membership sold to the nonprofit of your choice.

We’ve donated over $16,000 to the following nonprofits since our launch in November 2020.

New to Lookout? Please sign up by clicking the “Sign In” tab on the upper-right part of your screen or this link here.

Want to become a member and get access to all our events and articles? Purchase a monthly or annual membership by clicking the this link.

Membership FAQs

Updated May 23, 2023 | 10:59 AM

Is Lookout’s membership program the same as a subscription?

It’s similar, but not the same, and includes features and benefits beyond a typical subscription. We all buy subscriptions to things we like. In the business, that’s called a transactional relationship. We hope you like Lookout content a lot and that we give you great value for your money.

Membership implies more, and is a better word to describe our relationship with you, our readers, and our community. In Lookout’s case, with our unique “Read, lead and help others” community betterment model, readers get the value of our deeply reported, trustworthy journalism and also tangibly support civic improvement with their membership. It’s a “two-fer”: a good local news product + community betterment. Plus, members receive additional, special benefits such as direct access to our newsroom, insider access to special events and experiences, Lookout merchandise, and more.

Can I share my Lookout membership?

Memberships are for households, and you are welcome to share your sign-on/password credentials within your household. Since Lookout Santa Cruz is largely paid for by reader membership, we ask you not to share more widely.

Can I give Lookout membership as a gift?

Yes! Simply follow this link and follow the checkout flow to complete your purchase. You’ll be asked to enter the recipient’s information and can include a custom gift note if you would like.

When I sign up to become a Lookout Santa Cruz member, how will I know when my purchase is complete?

When you complete your membership purchase, you will receive an email from Lookout Santa Cruz with the subject line “Thank you for becoming a Lookout Member.” Please be sure to check your email spam folder if it doesn’t arrive in your primary inbox.

Is there a Lookout app I can use?

Not at this point. However, there’s an easy way to get to us on your phone.

You can add our colorful logo to your home screen, making your own app-like icon for quick tapping.

For iPhone users, you’ll need to use the Safari browser on the phone to do that.
For Android users, you’ll need to use the Chrome browser on the phone to do it.

Here’s the detailed explanation:

Add Lookout to your phone

The Lookout Santa Cruz website can function like a mobile app on your iPhone or Android device.

On an iPhone or iPad:

Launch the “Safari” app.
Enter www.lookoutsantacruz.com in the URL field.
Tap the icon featuring an arrow coming out of a box along the bottom of the Safari browser.
Scroll to the bottom and tap “Add to Home Screen.” The Lookout wave icon will appear. Click “Add” or “Save” in the upper righthand corner to add it to your homescreen.
Safari will close automatically and you will be taken to where the icon is located on your screen.
For quick check-in reference, you can move the icon around your home screen by holding it down and choosing “Edit Home Screen.”

On an Android phone:

Launch the “Chrome” app.
Enter www.lookoutsantacruz.com in the URL field.
Tap the menu icon (3 dots in upper right-hand corner) and tap “Add to Homescreen.”
You’ll be able to enter a name for the shortcut and then Chrome will add it to your home screen.
Move it to your home screen for quick check-in reference.

Bookmark Lookout to your desktop computer

From the web browser of your choice, type LookoutSantaCruz.com.
Go to the bookmarks menu. Click “Add bookmark” or “Bookmark this tab.”
Name the bookmark whatever you like. We suggest Lookout Santa Cruz. Those words will now be in your saved bookmarks.

How does your Student Access Program work?

Students, now more than ever, need access to trustworthy, factual, non-partisan news. With Lookout’s special Student Access Program, they get it. Our Student Access Program, first launched for all of Cabrillo College’s students and all UC Santa Cruz students. In fall 2022 it has expanded to all high school students in the county!

This program only starts with access and are currently moving to engage local students with news, projects, contests and scholarships. Read more about our student engagement programs here.

We also have an educator page for teachers which includes lessons, quizzes and media literacy curriculum.

We are so happy to offer these programs which have been funded by generous donors and grants. We do seek to serve other deserving groups. Please contact CEO Ken Doctor at ken@lookoutlocal.com for any funding requests or information. Reach out to Jamie Keil, director of Student Engagement for more information on programs or any class visits jamie@lookoutlocal.com

If I want to stop auto renew of my membership, how do I do that?

Simply open your account settings by clicking the little person icon, then the “My Account” tab, then uncheck the auto renew box. Your membership will not renew after your term is complete.