Nearly eight years after its designation as part of the California Coastal National Monument, Cotoni-Coast Dairies is poised to open to the public, with trails likely opening as early as summer 2025. Federal approval of a trailhead and parking lot marks a breakthrough after a long struggle to balance public access, environmental protection and community concerns.
Premium
Content that is subject to metering access restrictions
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Some major West Cliff Drive projects to stretch into early 2025
West Cliff Drive repairs continue moving forward as winter draws closer, with several major components expected to wrap up by mid-December. While a few projects will not be finished until early to mid-2025, one-way traffic could make a return along the entirety of Santa Cruz’s coastal road by early spring, and two-way traffic might be only a few months behind.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
What stand-up comic DNA has meant to Santa Cruz — and what we’re losing as he departs
The stand-up comic known as DNA is leaving Santa Cruz County after almost 20 years of tirelessly building a comedy subculture there. He worked hard to plant those seeds in a town that didn’t always appreciate his efforts.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lace up, Santa Cruz – it’s time to fight whatever Trump throws at us, and that’s what I’ll be doing in Sacramento
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin empathizes with those who feel crushed at the thought of another Donald Trump presidency. But, she says, California and Santa Cruz County are resistant, and Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling a special session on Dec. 2 to take stock of what to do. “We can do hard things,” she writes, and lays out ideas for actions those disappointed can take to help the most vulnerable.
Posted inEducation
Appeals court sides with UCSC over water access dispute with City of Santa Cruz
A California appeals court ruled that the City of Santa Cruz must provide water access to UC Santa Cruz property located beyond city boundaries. The ruling, the latest in a years-long legal dispute, overturns a 2022 judgment by a Santa Cruz judge that found the city wasn’t required to provide the service unless a local commission approved it.
Posted inLatest News
A drier La Niña winter may be brewing. Santa Cruz County isn’t taking chances.
Although the Climate Prediction Center estimates a 57% chance this winter of a La Niña weather pattern, often characterized by drier weather, the Central Coast’s unique location makes it difficult to predict whether Santa Cruz County will see more, less or the same amount of rain as usual. Regardless, local governments that have faced severe storms in recent years have been prepping for winter weather for over a month now.
Posted inFood & Drink
Downtown bar Front & Cooper will transform into a Christmas-themed pop-up this December
Downtown Santa Cruz bar Front & Cooper will transform into a festive seasonal pop-up for the month of December, offering a kitschy menu of holiday cocktails in partnership with Miracle, an international Christmas-themed cocktail bar.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Search on for new Chamber of Commerce CEO, Mackenzies Chocolates to close
Casey Beyer steps down as CEO of the Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, the owners of local chocolatier Mackenzies are retiring, Small Business Saturday hits this weekend and how you can own the old downtown trolley – find all that and more in this week’s local business roundup from Jessica M. Pasko.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Weekender: John Waters gets seasonal, Santa Cruz County holiday guide and deck your halls
Around the world of Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment with Lookout’s man about town, Wallace Baine.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Best 9: Top events for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, Nov. 27-Dec. 5
With the long Thanksgiving weekend nearly here, check out Wallace Baine’s Best 9 recommendations for things to do around Santa Cruz County via Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.