From music, beer, art and wine festivals to an array of entertainment at the Beach Boardwalk, ambitious productions on local stages and annual traditions like the Wharf to Wharf race, summer options are virtually endless in Santa Cruz County (and beyond).
Today’s Top Story
A significant story with interest across the county
Posted inLatest News
Mountain Charlie nightmare: Santa Cruz Mountains residents isolated by road failures still seeking answers
Since Feb. 29, Mountain Charlie Road, which stretches toward the northern boundary of Santa Cruz County, has been cut off by a major landslide. Despite desperation from residents, county, state and federal officials have until now offered few solutions – and a fix could take three to five years.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Cruz County’s ‘Shark Park’ has been especially active this year — perfect for shark tours
Over the past 10 years, an area of Soquel Cove between New Brighton State Beach and Rio Del Mar has earned the title “Shark Park” due to the increasingly high number of juvenile white sharks spotted in its waters during the summer months. This year, though, researchers have seen a ton of sharks, even for Shark Park — and they have some thoughts as to why that might be happening.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Santa Cruz County COVID rates highest in over a year. Here’s what you can do.
COVID is surging in Santa Cruz County, with the highest level of transmission seen so far this year, along with higher prevalence in wastewater and slightly more hospitalizations. Summer surges are expected at this stage in the pandemic — but could be worsened by low vaccination uptake and new, infectious subvariants.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘It’s just craziness’: As Santa Cruz Mountains wildfire season begins, proposed camping policy unnerves residents
Santa Cruz County officials publicly struggled through the most recent budget process due to the increasing cost and frequency of natural disasters. Now, as insurance companies drop thousands of residents due to increased wildfire risk, the board of supervisors will consider a new camping program that fire protection officials say will make the county more vulnerable to wildfires.
Posted inFood & Drink
Hot dog! Here’s where to enjoy the best hot dogs of the summer in Santa Cruz County
Hot dogs are an iconic summer meal, and in Santa Cruz County, six hot dog vendors plus one café are offering fresh takes on the classic all year long. Lily Belli tried them all, and brings a recommendation from each.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What might ‘the Latino century’ mean to Santa Cruz and the country? A conversation with political strategist Mike Madrid
In “The Latino Century: How America’s Largest Minority is Transforming Democracy,” veteran Republican Mike Madrid likens the American political struggle as a footrace between an emerging and hopeful, largely Latino generation and an older, privileged, largely white generation with a bleak view of the future. The Lincoln Project co-founder will talk about it July 8 at Bookshop Santa Cruz.
Posted inHousing & Development
Downtown Santa Cruz’s 12-story, 1,600-unit SoLa vision around new Warriors arena aims to thread multiple needles
Both Mayor Fred Keeley and Santa Cruz Warriors President Chris Murphy reemphasized their support for the massive South of Laurel Area redevelopment plan at a Tuesday meeting. It aims to create a new neighborhood and entertainment district – one that bridges the space between downtown and the beach. Now, the plan moves from “study” to more planning staff work – and then on to public hearings next year.
Posted inLatest News
SoLa study session: City leaders, public get look at plan for downtown Santa Cruz’s arena/housing neighborhood south of Laurel
A joint city council/planning commission meeting Tuesday is the first step in moving forward with what is now a concrete plan for expanding downtown Santa Cruz into the area south of Laurel Street, with a new, permanent Warriors arena and up to 1,600 housing units.
Posted inFood & Drink
The reel deal: Behind the scenes with Santa Cruz’s first food influencers
Food influencers on social media apps like Instagram have been a part of the restaurant industry for at least a decade, but it’s only recently that two local food influencers have gained significant followings in Santa Cruz County. Thousands of people follow Double Meat Please and Santa Cruz Bucket List, where account holders share their favorite dishes, restaurants, food trucks and pop-ups. Business owners say these posts can translate into real sales.