Photo by Molly Ressler

Santa Cruz has a long history of environmental stewardship that’s reflected in our plentiful organic farms, bike-friendly streets, drought-tolerant gardening incentives, and our local art. Reusing material is nothing new in the art world but these three artists in Santa Cruz have perfected the craft. Scraps of redwood, skateboards, and glass become surfboards, bottle openers, and dinnerware that pay homage to their past forms through stunning transformations that highlight rather than hide the reused material. Each piece diverts waste from the landfill, yet you’d never guess this art began as someone else’s trash. Meet a surfer, skater, and artisan glassmaker who are each trailblazers in the upcycled art scene and create right here in Santa Cruz.

Photos by Garrick Ramirez

While news of a historic adobe might get lost amidst today’s flurry of sensational clickbait, we assure you that the Castro Adobe is a very special place. In addition to its gorgeous setting within Watsonville’s bucolic Larkin Valley, the 1850 adobe is a fascinating restoration project, an active archeology site, and a virtual glimpse into the region’s lively past. In its 168 years, the adobe has never officially been open to the public. Now, thanks to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks who is leading restoration efforts, the Castro Adobe offers free, monthly open houses that offer visitors a unique opportunity to tour the property, witness its captivating restoration, and maybe munch a few freshly made tortillas in the process.

Spring has flown by, and that means it's now or never: you've got to enter our incredible vacation giveaway contest! Have you been dreaming about basking in the sun, or soaring high above the waves on the Giant Dipper rollercoaster? Did you know that you can also zipline or ride a steam train through the redwoods, and experience some of the best wine tasting south of Napa, in the Santa Cruz Mountains? To better equip you for exploring Santa Cruz County by boat, bike, and more, our partners have put together some amazing activities to give one lucky winner the ultimate California vacation of their dreams! Enter our Let’s Cruz Customizable Vacation Getaway now--we're almost at the end--and you could win a Grand Prize of: a two-night stay at the beachfront Dream Inn Santa Cruz, four tickets to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and four passes to Roaring Camp Railroads, PLUS choose four additional activities from a list of uniquely Santa Cruz options! The contest ends on May 31, 2018, so act fast!

Photo by Garrick Ramirez

Zipping past the verdant agricultural fields along Highway 1 in southern Santa Cruz County, you might not guess that a stunning waterfront gem sits moments away. Just six minutes from the highway—and worlds away from modern-day bustle—you’ll discover Pajaro Dunes Resort, a hidden, coastal nirvana with a pristine white sand beach, seagrass-shrouded dunes, and more animated wildlife than a Disney cartoon. The secluded vacation home community offers guests a taste of exceptional coastal living, even if just for a weekend. Check out what makes it a special destination along the Monterey Bay, and enter our Let’s Cruz Vacation Giveaway to win your own coastal getaway!

Photo by Garrick Ramirez

While Watsonville has become a recent hub for independent artisans, a pioneer of its burgeoning craft scene is Annie Morhauser who founded her Annieglass glassware studio amidst the town’s sprawling agriculture fields in 1983. Today, her luminous pieces are featured at high profile hotels and retailers—Four Seasons, Neiman Marcus, the Bellagio in Las Vegas—and two of her pieces are on permanent display at the Smithsonian. Yet, each elegant piece continues to be handmade here in Santa Cruz County. This year, we honor Annieglass’ 35th anniversary with three reasons to visit this spring, as well as a chance to win a free experience at Annieglass’ fun and innovative Craftbar!