Good Times | Santa Cruz California's Leading Free Weekly

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

February 11, 2026

Two months after a soft opening on Halloween weekend, Cat Alley Street, a new upstairs club above the Catalyst in downtown Santa Cruz, is already drawing crowds seeking late-night music with live DJs, dancing...

Author Scott Eden, writer of A Killing in Cannabis

Weedzilla

February 10, 2026

Bookshop Santa Cruz’s excellent author programming brings another literal bang-banger with investigative journalist Scott Eden, and his latest, A Killing in Cannabis: A True Story of Love, Murder, and California Weed. Deep in the mountains...

Patrons dancing at Cat Alley Street nightclub in downtown Santa Cruz

Above the Cat

February 10, 2026

Weedzilla

February 10, 2026

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Jazz vocalist Ekep Nkwelle performing, singer with Cameroonian roots guitar at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz

Things to do in Santa Cruz

February 10, 2026

Cameroonian singer Ekep Nkwelle has emerged as one of jazz’s rising artists. Monday at 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center

Bartender straining whiskey sour cocktail at Pearl bar in Santa Cruz

Mad Drip

February 10, 2026

Pearl’s stunning cocktails anchor this week’s Dining column, with Valentine’s sips, floating feasts, and local Good Food Awards finalists rounding out the menu.

Italian deli sandwiches and croissant at La Bottega del Lago in Live Oak

Mangia Market

February 10, 2026

New York–Italian style sandwiches, fresh handmade pasta, and curated Italian specialties make La Bottega del Lago a welcome new addition to Live Oak.

Mad Drip

February 10, 2026

Pearl’s stunning cocktails anchor this week’s Dining column, with Valentine’s sips, floating feasts, and local Good Food Awards finalists rounding out the menu.

Mangia Market

February 10, 2026

New York–Italian style sandwiches, fresh handmade pasta, and curated Italian specialties make La Bottega del Lago a welcome new addition to Live Oak.

Jon Scoville performing with concertina during multimedia music performance

Ballistic New Music

February 10, 2026

An over-the-top multimedia extravaganza celebrates the genre-blending music of Santa Cruz composer Jon Scoville, with dance, film, jazz, and chamber music colliding in a Valentine’s-perfect concert.

The Editor’s Desk

February 10, 2026

One friend commented recently that she loved Valentine’s Day when she was a kid because teachers made everyone give everyone in the class Valentine’s cards, so she got like 30. It’s not the same...