Hello Santa Cruz! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Farm-to-owner documentary, world soccer celebration, and 30th annual Woodies on the Wharf + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Restoration with a wildlife moment: Lompico Pond will host a volunteer workday this Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. to noon. The monthly restoration event will provide tools, and last month volunteers spotted tiny fawns -- learn more about the workday.
Celebrating a local farm journey: A new documentary by a Noticias Watsonville contributor spotlights Dulce Organic Farms in Watsonville, following the owner’s journey from fieldworker to business owner and honoring resilience and pride among farmers -- watch the full documentary.
Tight race under scrutiny: Santa Cruz County’s hand tally in the 4th District supervisor race is underway as Tony Nuñez’s lead over Felipe Hernandez sits under 0.1% above 50% to avoid a runoff -- see how the tally works.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Easy weekend reset: When you need low-effort, high-reward outside time, DeLaveaga Park delivers local-classic energy without the trek. Picnic under big trees, let the kids conquer the playground, sneak in a game at the bocce courts, then cool down on the creek-side trails, all in one spot you already drive past twice a week.
Tabletop fix, incoming: When your game night is stuck on the same two boxes, swing by Game Santa Cruz for fresh picks, friendly guidance, and that spark of "let's try this tonight." It’s the kind of neighborhood shop that nudges you from scrolling to actually rolling.
Make something green: Whether your succulents need siblings or your desk begs for a tiny jungle, The Little Shop of Horticulture runs hands-on plant workshops, a customizable plant and terrarium bar, and wedding florals. Grab a couple friends this week, let their crew guide you, leave with something you actually grew.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎲 Bingo Night @ Bay Bar & Grill (Capitola) | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats a free night of bingo where you, your aunt, and that neighbor who wins every raffle go head to head for prizes. It’s fun for all ages, surprisingly competitive, and the only place yelling BINGO in public gets you applause instead of side-eye.
⚽ World Soccer Celebration @ Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Thursday (6/25) at 7:00 PM – Skip the couch and watch USA vs Türkiye at a free Main Beach party on a giant LED screen, with a beachside beer garden and the Boardwalk bites you pretend are for the kids. The marine layer RSVP’d, and layers, good humor, and patience help.
🎶 Mariela's Music Time @ Live Oak Branch Library | Friday (6/26) at 1:00 PM – Trade the same old playground loop for Mariela's Music Time, a lively bilingual jam where kids actually learn between wiggles. Expect global rhythms, stories behind the instruments, and your little crew singing en español, dancing, and burning off that mysterious third dessert.
🚚 Food Trucks A GOGo @ Skypark (Scotts Valley) | Friday (6/26) at 4:30 PM – Sky Park in Scotts Valley turns into a roaming picnic when Food Trucks A GoGo rolls in, and the Scrumptious crew serves seafood favorites. Voted Best Takeout and Seafood by Good Times four years straight, it is dinner on wheels, fewer dishes, maximum neighbor sightings.
🚚 Food Truck Friday Summer Celebration @ Scotts Valley Skypark | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Nothing says summer like Food Truck Friday at Skypark, with Fire Peach playing while you pretend the kids' face paint is permanent. Graze from tacos to fish and chips, sip Laughing Monk at the SVEF garden, and feel smug about supporting our schools.
🚙 30th Annual Woodies on the Wharf @ Santa Cruz Wharf | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Grab your shades and hit the Wharf for the 30th Annual Woodies, a gleaming lineup of classic wooden cars, hula, sunshine, and a parade sendoff. Parking will be a contact sport, so bike it or ride the $1 shuttle, bike valet awaits.
🏍 Kruz3r Mob Annual Ride to Woodies on the Wharf @ Natural Bridges State Beach | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Up for a ride to ogle Woodies on the Wharf? We roll from Natural Bridges along Cliff Drive, soak in chrome and sea air, then cruise downtown for lunch with a Boardwalk detour. Family friendly, all bikes welcome, no spandex heroics, dogs skip the wharf.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Santa Cruz report Weather forecastToday — High: 70°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Patchy fog after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. West wind 0 to 3 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 74°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. This house is wildThis Carbonera Estates gem blends comfort and versatility with soaring ceilings, skylights, and walls of windows that flood the home with light. With 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a flexible family media room, built-in office nook, sunroom, sauna, and wine cellar, it delivers serious lifestyle perks. Expansive decks, a hot tub, creek trails, and a fenced dog run seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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