Nominations are happening now for the 2026 Lookout List!
Nominations are open from Monday, August 10 through Sunday, September 6, giving readers the chance to submit write-in nominations across dozens of categories celebrating their local favorites. Once nominations close, the top five nominees in each category will advance to the final round of community voting.
Final voting runs Monday, September 21 through Sunday, October 18, with first place Winners and second place Runners-Up beginning to be announced Monday, November 9. One category group will be revealed each business day over the following two weeks!
Discover Lookout reader’s 2025 favorites. Browse the best local businesses, restaurants, and services across hundreds of categories, voted by thousands of community members.
About the Lookout List
The Lookout List is a new county‑wide celebration run by Lookout Santa Cruz in which people in Santa Cruz County nominate and vote for their favorite businesses, organizations, people, and places.
How It Works
- Nominations were collected via community write-ins from Sept. 1–21.
- Final voting ran from Monday, October 6 and run through Oct. 26.
- Winners were revealed beginning Nov. 3.