A skater goes inverted above a wooden ramp as spectators watch at a Grind the Cause benefit.

Grinding for a Great Cause

Santa Cruz punks and skateboarders unite for Grind the Cause, a benefit raising $150,000 for a new bowl at Sergeant Derby Skate Park in memory of local skater James DeBarrios.
Tyra Williams and Cabrillo College Trustee Adam Spickler attend the Rainbow Conference in Santa Cruz County.

Rainbow Conference

The Rainbow Conference returns to Watsonville High School Sept. 26, bringing LGBTQ+ students, families, educators and allies together for workshops, resources and a day centered on community and celebration.
A skater goes inverted above a wooden ramp as spectators watch at a Grind the Cause benefit.

Grinding for a Great Cause

Santa Cruz punks and skateboarders unite for Grind the Cause, a benefit raising $150,000 for a new bowl at Sergeant Derby Skate Park in memory of local skater James DeBarrios.
Tyra Williams and Cabrillo College Trustee Adam Spickler attend the Rainbow Conference in Santa Cruz County.

Rainbow Conference

The Rainbow Conference returns to Watsonville High School Sept. 26, bringing LGBTQ+ students, families, educators and allies together for workshops, resources and a day centered on community and celebration.
Guitarist Bill Frisell plays electric guitar ahead of his Harmony Five performance at Kuumbwa Jazz Center.

Things to do in Santa Cruz

Guitarist Bill Frisell brings Harmony Five to Kuumbwa Jazz Center, blending jazz, Americana, folk and classical sounds with vocalist Petra Haden, cellist Hank Roberts, bassist Luke Bergman and drummer Tim Angulo.
Bay Bar & Grill co-owner Brittny Beshore arranges plants and signs inside the Capitola Village bar and restaurant.

Slay Bar

Brittny Beshore and Cliff Nelson are giving Bay Bar & Grill a fresh identity in Capitola Village, pairing elevated sports-bar fare and cocktails with live music, local art and a revamped coastal atmosphere.
A Turkish döner wrap filled with meat, fries, lettuce, tomato, red cabbage and sauce, served with pickles and red sauce.

Wrap Star

Arslans Turkish Street Food brings the flavors of Gaziantep to downtown Santa Cruz, with loaded döner wraps, Istanbul salads, red lentil köfte and pistachio-rich baklava.
Bay Bar & Grill co-owner Brittny Beshore arranges plants and signs inside the Capitola Village bar and restaurant.

Slay Bar

Brittny Beshore and Cliff Nelson are giving Bay Bar & Grill a fresh identity in Capitola Village, pairing elevated sports-bar fare and cocktails with live music, local art and a revamped coastal atmosphere.
A Turkish döner wrap filled with meat, fries, lettuce, tomato, red cabbage and sauce, served with pickles and red sauce.

Wrap Star

Arslans Turkish Street Food brings the flavors of Gaziantep to downtown Santa Cruz, with loaded döner wraps, Istanbul salads, red lentil köfte and pistachio-rich baklava.
FreakFest 2026 poster

Freak Flag Flying

Red 40 gathers local bands, artisans, food vendors and gloriously costumed misfits for the third annual FreakFest at Hwy 17 Studios.

The Editor’s Desk

From sumo wrestling and Duck Island Festival to Capitola Beach Festival, Fiesta en la Playa and Laurie Anderson, Brad Kava surveys an unusually packed Santa Cruz weekend.
fingers typing on a vintage typewriter

Letters

Readers weigh in on the proposed Seahawk battery storage project in Aptos and a Good Times review of composer Sarah Hennies at the Cabrillo Festival.

The Editor’s Desk

From sumo wrestling and Duck Island Festival to Capitola Beach Festival, Fiesta en la Playa and Laurie Anderson, Brad Kava surveys an unusually packed Santa Cruz weekend.
fingers typing on a vintage typewriter

Letters

Readers weigh in on the proposed Seahawk battery storage project in Aptos and a Good Times review of composer Sarah Hennies at the Cabrillo Festival.
best of santa cruz county 2026
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