Halloween is here and Santa Cruz County has all the spooky fun! Trick-or-Treating on the Wharf, a Halloween Parade in the Capitola Village, a Monster Masquerade, and so much more! Check out some of the best Halloween celebrations throughout the county!
By Garrick Ramirez
When it’s time to gather friends and family around a meal, few are going to argue with pizza. The reliable crowd-pleaser suits practically every occasion, from a quick, on-the-go bite to a sit-down feast with antipastas and vino. Thanks to the influence of early Italian immigrants and local farms teeming with fresh produce, Santa Cruz County is home to some exceptional pies. Whether you’re going gourmet or simply grab-and-go, here’s where to find the best pizza in town.
By Garrick Ramirez
For spine-tingling tales and frightfully good fun, who you gonna call? Santa Cruz County has played host to hair-raising chills on the big screen, from the teen vampires of “The Lost Boys” to the scissor-wielding doppelgangers in “Us,” but the frights don’t have to end when the credits roll. Though famed for its sunny beach culture, Santa Cruz County hides a fun, spooky side with eerie cemeteries, creepy-cool Victorian mansions, and historic hotels rumored to house a few guests who’ve never checked out. Break out the Ecto Goggles, here’s where to get spooked in Santa Cruz County!
By Garrick Ramirez
During the 19th century, Santa Cruz was one of the largest ports in Northern California thanks to a variety of booming industries including lumber, agriculture, and lime, a key element of the cement that built cities such as San Francisco. The region teemed with wharves and piers to transport goods to seabased ships, yet, over the years, nearly all were dismantled or swept away by ferocious storms. Today, can still explore three remaining piers, and marvel at the popular ruins of a fourth. Originally constructed to ship local products abroad, the wharves and piers that dot the Santa Cruz County shoreline today deliver an abundance of scenery, history, and good eats.
By Garrick Ramirez
For your next outdoor adventure, consider Scotts Valley. Once famed for its roadside attractions—remember kitschy-cute Santa’s Village?—the diminutive community hides oversized scenery and lesser-known trails. Tucked in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the city’s numerous wilderness areas brim with quiet redwood groves and evergreen forests. Plus, a new nature preserve recently made acres of wildflower-filled grasslands available to the public. Here are three Scotts Valley nature spots whose family and pet-friendly trails offer up exceptional scenery and serenity.