The Wrigley gum factory shut down production back in 1997, but when artist and gallery owner Robert Blitzer first opened his gallery in 2009, the building was still mostly an empty shell, just growing into its new post-factory identity. Today, it’s an industrial-style workspace bustling with innovators from a diverse mix of industries, including tech, genomics, sports, and the arts. 

When Tiffany Wise-West decided to go without a car for a year, she invested in good quality rain gear, a helmet, and bike lights so she could ride regardless of the weather or time of day. 

Those of us who live and work in Santa Cruz are here for a reason. We choose Santa Cruz in pursuit of a highly desirable, and increasingly rare, lifestyle defined by pre-work surf sessions, lunchtime forest hikes, daily cultural events, and an inclusive community that encourages creative expression and practices acceptance. 

The big question driving Workbench is one that many Santa Cruz residents are asking: How can we welcome a growing tech community without pushing out the many other residents who contribute to a diversified, sustainable economy and to the vibrant, colorful culture that defines us?

Sometimes we need a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment. The soothing strum of an acoustic guitar or the irresistible groove of an upright bass gives you the perfect excuse to linger over that last bite and stay for dessert. 

On First Friday, there’s guaranteed to be an energized crowd mingling over cocktails and the latest exhibit at Stripe and Stripe MEN in downtown Santa Cruz. 

If you’re looking to stretch out while breathing in the salty ocean breeze or fresh mountain air, Santa Cruz County has plenty of Namaste-worthy open-air ‘studios’ for you to choose from. 

The San Lorenzo River is going through a phase of renewal and rediscovery. Part of this process includes uncovering the diverse ways in which each of us connects with the river, so that every community member feels welcome along its semi-wild banks. 

From the slow coast along Highway 1 to the forested mountains, Santa Cruz boasts thousands of acres of undeveloped land within and surrounding county lines. The trails that weave through these wild places welcome all levels of hikers, from veteran backpackers to those looking for their first overnight wilderness adventure. 

It happens every spring, but the transformation of a green hillside to a bright carpet of orange, purple, or golden blooms never gets old.  Any hike will reward you with a unique bouquet of blooms, but some trails are known for putting on an especially good show.

As a hiker, the most fascinating part of a rain-soaked coastal redwood forest is right beneath your feet. When the ground is well saturated, you don’t have to look hard to spot Santa Cruz’s favorite slimy gastropod, the banana slug. In fact, after a particularly hard rain, you may have to watch your step.

Whether you’ve been training for months, are a casual weekend jogger, or like to wear a brightly colored tutu with your Nike’s, there’s a race with your name on it in Santa Cruz County. 

A bubbly brunette with a background in fashion, Jaclyn Bridges of Queen of Succulents hated dirt when she received her very first succulent from a friend’s mom. 

Eating out in Santa Cruz County is about so much more than fueling up for the next adventure. The nation’s organic food movement took root here in our county’s fertile soil and we banned plastic bags, straws, cutlery and styrofoam take-out containers long before green-living and zero-waste lifestyles came into vogue.

From her light-filled gallery space before opening hours, Ann Hazels shared with us an inside look at Santa Cruz County’s art scene, life as an artist, and how to find local art that resonates with your particular taste and style.

As summer comes to an end, most of us look forward to stunning displays of fall foliage, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and drinking our fill of pumpkin spice lattes. But there’s another reason to get excited for shorter, crisper days and less persistent fog banks. 

Perched atop one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Castle Rock State Parkoffers expansive views of the San Lorenzo Valley.

Commuting over the hill to Silicon Valley may offer higher wages, but it comes at a price—less time for your family, your friends, and for yourself. MYNT Systems, a turn-key energy efficiency solutions company located in downtown Santa Cruz, understands the sacrifices that come with the commute.

Generating excitement around a cloud storage service may sound like a mission impossible, but to Drew Meyer, the lead for Amazon Web Services' cloud storage portfolio global product marketing team, it’s all in a day’s work. 

It’s one thing to Yelp your way through each meal and snack break, but to truly savor each bite, you need to know the stories behind the food fueling your weekend adventure.

Meet a surfer, skater, and artisan glassmaker who are each trailblazers in the upcycled art scene and create right here in Santa Cruz.

Karuna Gutowski starts her workday at 4:40pm with a 10-minute meditation. Her calm demeanor and smiling eyes put you immediately at ease and prove the effectiveness of her daily practice. 

Suzanne Wouk wanted to make online selling as easy as buying, not just to help others make some extra income but to encourage people to change their overall behavior and relationship to stuff.

After a four-year hiatus, TechRaising 2018 is expected to attract up to 150 dreamers and doers for a highly anticipated startup weekend.

Santa Cruz has a well-kept secret that’s hidden in plain sight. It’s admittedly still a diamond in the rough but a cavalry of local artists, environmentalists, and community builders have plans to change that.

Here in Santa Cruz, it takes little effort to find a wide variety of locally grown produce all year round. For many communities across the US, however, eating locally isn’t an option. 

While we’re huge fans of both the bucket list and sharing experiences on social media, there is another way to experience both a new place and the familiar haunts you thought you knew like the back of your smartphone.

While surfing may have first put Santa Cruz on the map, there’s a landlocked sport that’s been gaining traction and attracting international attention over the last couple decades. 

A retired ultimate frisbee jersey hangs from the wall in Nicole Beck’s office on Seabright Avenue. Although Beck no longer plays competitive ultimate frisbee, the biogeochemist runs her water quality management consultancy, 2NDNATURE, like a team.

Behind glass doors in the old Watsonville Post Office, high school and college students are designing logos, developing websites, and shooting videos in a recording studio complete with acoustic paneling and a green screen. 

From her sunny back deck or her cozy bedroom decorated with original prints and watercolors, Lili Arnold can make up to 50 block prints in one day.

Every Friday, the Plantronics design team gets together for a collective review. Team members write any idea that comes to mind on a post-it, and in one session Darrin’s’ post-it read: ‘Fill a room with dogs.’

From the farm to the production process and finally to the bottle, we’re lifting the lid on three local specialties: wine, spirits, and for all ages, cold-pressed apple juice. 

Kick-start the new year with an energizing First Day Hike through ancient towering redwoods, sandy coastal stretches, and along soothing mountain streams. 

If you’re ready to get crafty this holiday season, there a few Santa Cruz makers who can help you create one-of-a-kind gifts that are bound to impress.

Santa Cruz County definitely marches to the beat of its own drum when it comes to fashion. It’s comfort first and the more outdoorsy you look, the better. 

The sweet scent of fresh baked pastries, hot from the oven, and the sharp smell of coffee lures professionals, families, and old friends to a small cafe in downtown’s Abbott Square Market. 

Here it is. Your next fun adventure: We challenge you to embark on an art-inspired exploration that will take you across Santa Cruz County, one mural and mosaic at a time.

When it comes to family fun in Santa Cruz there’s no shortage of choices. If you’re looking for family-friendly outings that are both entertaining and educational, however, these five local landmarks won’t disappoint.

Santa Cruz County boasts acres of beautiful farmland, from pumpkin patches and strawberry fields to vineyards and apple orchards. Even though we might pass by one of these crops when driving north towards Davenport or south through Watsonville, for most of us, farmland stays on the outskirts of our imagination. 

Have you ever created a sand sculpture with your coworkers? Navigated a sailboat with your supervisor? How about collaborated on a signature wine blend with your HR department? Here in Santa Cruz, corporate retreats can be so much more than an off-site meeting with a catered lunch.

Wandering the streets of Capitola village is like going on a treasure hunt. You never know what inspiring vista, quirky street art, or tasty eatery you’re going to stumble upon as you explore.

The combination of tranquil redwood forests and soothing California coastline almost commands that you slow down and smell the clean ocean air, but sometimes we all need a little help to relax and unwind. 

It’s a scientific fact that sunsets are simply better in the winter. There are so many picturesque spots to capture the sun’s last rays in Santa Cruz but we’ve rounded up some of the very best. 

If you want to start the New Year off on the right foot, then lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails at some of Santa Cruz County’s best state parks. 

To help relieve your holiday stress, here are some ideas for how to unwind in Santa Cruz County solo or with good company.

Housing for Health provides wraparound support to individuals who are both chronically homeless and managing co-occurring disorders. 

FUERTE is a rare but powerful example of how community collaboration can change lives and the juvenile system as we know it today.

In a beautiful old Victorian near downtown Santa Cruz sits a school unlike any other in the country. 

Guillermo Rodriguez is a leader, a counselor, a mentor, and a teacher. It is hard to reconcile this Guillermo with the Guillermo who was once addicted to methamphetamines and battled alcoholism.

What if you could easily find all those photos (and videos) from weddings, concerts, and other events regardless of whether or not you know the photographer’s username and chosen hashtag? Turns out, there’s an app for that. 

Starlight and the Terry Jimenez Center (TJC), make a huge difference in the lives of many Watsonville families. 

It’s usually a fair bet that where there is a lighthouse, there is a history of shipwrecks. The area around Point Año Nuevo along California’s Highway 1 between San Francisco and Santa Cruz is no exception. Photo courtesy of Jef Poskanzer CC BY 2.0

 Año Nuevo is a popular spot for seasoned surfers who fear the loss of this rugged coastline more than the great white sharks cruising the waters in search of fat seals. Photo courtesy of Chad King/NOAA MBNMS. 

South of San Francisco, about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz along Highway 1, lies a beach hidden behind sand dunes covered in an undulating meadow of native grasses. Photo courtesy of Dan Costa.

Whether you’re looking to experience art as an appreciator, try your hand at a new medium, or perfect your practice, the Tannery has a unique program, event, or space to accommodate you. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look.

Event Santa Cruz celebrated its 2 year anniversary on September 17th at the newly opened Venus Spirits Distillery with yet another awesome event, but this time with a slight twist.

June’s event, PopUp, attracted over 170 people eager to hear the stories of eight local food entrepreneurs who are starting to dominate the Santa Cruz food scene. Photo courtesy of Allison Garcia.

A panther is hidden in the golden cliffs at a beach about ten miles north of Santa Cruz. If you want to try your luck at spotting the elusive wildcat in the cliffs, drive north along Highway 1, past fields of brussels sprouts and run-down shacks inhabited by weary, weathered farm workers.

Thirsty beer lovers caused a small traffic jam on Graham Hill Road this past Friday, May 1st on their way to the New Bohemian Brewing Company’s first annual Spring Beer Fest.

For several decades in the 1900s eight Santa Claus statues welcomed motorists driving along the Old Santa Cruz Highway to a mysterious place called Holy City.

What's so special about Santa Cruz? What makes us think our small community, just one thirteenth the size of San Francisco, is full of enough inspiring individuals to justify holding an event in their honor every single year?

Kayaking in Elkhorn Slough is an aquatic safari where you join the animals on their turf. Otters instead of cheetahs climb onto your mode of transport and it's the deep rumbling bellow of the California sea lion that makes you jump out of your seat.

Until the 1930s, bridgemen were mostly a group of fearless daredevils and competitive thrill seekers, attempting daring stunts hundreds of feet in the air without a safety net. Photo courtesy of Pexels.

When driving across the Golden Gate Bridge how often have you asked yourself "Why is the Golden Gate orange?" Or, "Why is an orange bridge called the "Golden Gate"? The answer lies in Istanbul and in an architect named Irving Morrow.

There are many ways to show support for your country's troops, but would you ever think of making the world's largest cheese to raise money for hungry soldiers? In the early summer of 1864, a farming family by the name of Steele did just that: They produced a 3,800 pound wheel of cheese to raise money for the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac. Photo courtesy of Loseitlady.

Pogonip is a Native American word for river fog, a fittingly mystical name for such a magical place. This 640-acre green space in the middle of town has over nine miles of hiking trails with quirky features including a koi pond, stone labyrinth, and the crumbling, mossy stones of lime kilns from the 1800s.

During World War II the California coastline was dotted with watch towers, stretches of cliffs were barricaded with barbed wire, and entire towns practiced complete blackouts at night to hide from enemy aircraft and ships. The war was brought to our shores just eleven days after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and for one long week Japanese subs launched attacks on American ships from Mendocino down to San Diego. Photo by Yamaguchi Yoshiaki (December, 2011).

The Kitchen Brothers epitomized the popular saying "Keep Santa Cruz Weird" through their strange architectural designs and mystical leanings more than 50 years before the slogan caught on.

San Francisco today is the cultural, commercial, and financial center of Northern California, but in 1769 to a crew of weary, scurvy-ridden Spaniards who had been traversing the west coast wilderness for months, discovering the San Francisco Bay only brought disappointment. This giant bay was clearly not the Monterey Bay that King Carlos III of Spain had sent them to find.

Microbreweries and taprooms in Santa Cruz have become almost as ubiquitous as Starbucks over the past two or three years. This is a comprehensive breakdown of the tasty microbreweries, alehouses, and tap rooms that Santa Cruz County has to offer.

Women in bloomers and children in search of treasure once flocked to Pebble Beach to spend hours hunting for the best pieces of agate, opal, jasper, and carnelians polished by the waves to shiny perfection. It was a famous tourist destination in the late 1800s and the place of failed dreams for a greedy local millionaire, dead-set on privatizing Pebble Beach.

"Mountain Charley" McKiernan had finally met his match. Face to face with a 1,000 pound grizzly bear, standing almost ten feet tall on her haunches, McKiernan was acutely aware of his mortality.

The completion of the Arana Gulch multi-use trail project connecting Broadway and Brommer Streets has stirred up a lot of mixed feelings amongst Santa Cruz locals.

The Creamer Hotel in Felton, California (now known as the Cremer House) is rumored to have harbored both prostitutes and contraband liquor within its sturdy walls. As the oldest building in this small town in the Santa Cruz Mountains, its history is filled with colorful characters, including a savvy business-woman, disgruntled barber, lovesick waitress, and old western film stars.

If you love the muffled quiet of a redwood forest broken only by the murmur of a creek and the faint echo of a Buddhist gong, it's time to get on your hiking boots and explore the Land of Medicine Buddha.

Aptly named Bowling Ball Beach (part of Schooner Gulch State Beach), the geologic wonders here are plenty and plenty strange. Low tide reveals spherical rocks, two to three feet in diameter, resting in rows within naturally occurring 'lanes' within the surf. Photo courtesy of John 'K'. (December 2012)

The end of the year is a good time to look forward but also to look back and reminisce. Why not look back a few hundred years while soaking in one of California's many hot springs? These are the stories behind four of California's hot springs that have been harnessed by humans over the centuries. Photo courtesy of Peretz Partensky. (May 16, 2010)

The narrow lanes and dangerously tight curves of California's Highway 17 have earned it ominous nicknames like "Killer 17" and "Blood Alley". There's no doubt this is a dangerous, mountainous route — but does the whole highway deserve to be vilified or is it just one particularly tight curve that is to blame? (Photo courtesy of Stan Shebs)

Every December my Dad and I would drive the ten minutes up the road to trudge uphill in the snow through wavering lines of spruce, fir and pine. Dad and I would search tirelessly for the perfect Christmas tree until we found the one. (Photo courtesy of Four Winds Christmas Trees.)

How many of us can say our family serves larded tenderloin of beef or clear green turtle for Thanksgiving dinner? I'm guessing not many, but beef, turtle, duck, lamb and an assortment of other dishes filled the table of wealthy Americans in the early 1900s. (Photo courtesy of Ben Franske)

The turbines of Altamont Pass comprise the oldest wind farm in the United States and once produced half of the world's wind-generated electricity. (Photo by David J Laporte)

On Friday, November 7, 2014, Cruzio celebrated 25 years of providing internet access to the Santa Cruz area, and owners Chris Neklason and Peggy Dolgenos made sure it was a night to remember.

The heart of Alma, a ghost town of California's past, lies submerged and mostly forgotten in the basin of the Lexington Reservoir along Highway 17.

As you drive over Highway 17 past the Lexington Reservoir, the water level reminds you if it's been a particularly wet or dry year but probably not of the two towns that disappeared with the rising waters.

Wouldn't life be simpler if you could visit just one website to find out about all the cultural events taking place in Santa Cruz? CruzCal could be it.

Are you into wild and rugged NorCal beaches but not so into roughing it down a sketchy cliffside? Looking for a spot you can tow a full ice chest or access via wheelchair, that doesn't require you to just “hold it" until you get back to civilization? Davenport Landing Beach has all that, and a swing set.

The marbled murrelet is the star of this weekend's Wings Over The Basin festival, a celebration of songbirds, owls and other winged creatures at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

An idyllic swimming hole on the San Lorenzo River. A young man leaps off a rocky hillside, 10 feet down into a deep blue pool. Teenagers laugh and splash, using a large fallen branch as a float.

Minutes from the heart of downtown Santa Cruz lies a quiet oasis on the San Lorenzo River, away from the crowds of weekend tourists. The water is cool but not frigid, the sand is soft and warm, and alders, cottonwoods and big leaf maples provide respite from the hot midday sun.

A popular Santa Cruz beach just steps from restaurants and nightlife.

A quiet dog-friendly state park hidden in the middle of Santa Cruz County.

Sun and sand at one of Santa Cruz's favorite beaches.