A trip to Napa is always wonderful, especially when it involves excellent wine. And that was the case when we visited Titus Vineyards in St. Helena.
My daughter and son-in-law are recent wine club members at Titus, and it’s easy to see why they joined. And wine club members get four or six complimentary tastings each visit, depending on the member’s club level, and discounts on wine, of course.
One of our favorites, Titus’ 2022 Cabernet Franc ($68), comes with “aromas of pomegranate, raspberry and Mexican chocolate,” says winemaker Stephen Cruzan. Interlaced with the fruit are notes of green tea, flowering rosemary and tobacco—with glorious flavors of brandied cherry, currant and dark chocolate adding an enticing “floral lift” to the finish. A visit to taste this Cab Franc and their other sumptuous wines make a trip to Titus well worth it.
My husband and I loved Titus’ exceptional wines, and very much enjoyed our outdoor seating overlooking the winery’s 50 acres of lush and leafy vines.
Titus Vineyards, 2971 Silverado Trail N., St. Helena, 707-963-3235. Titusvineyards.com
Unexpected Artistry
After a delicious breakfast at Gayle’s Bakery, my husband and I headed to SC41 to look for a new chair. With the help of staff member Toni Cacciatore, we found a superb leather recliner—made in Norway. Admiring some beautiful hand-painted portraits at check-out, I learned they were all painted by Toni, who finds it “a joy it is to capture the likeness of another human being.” So if you need a beautiful keepsake portrait of a family member, or your favorite pooch, contact tonicacciatore.com or call 312-972-1448. SC41 has high-quality furniture and helpful staff. They’re at 2701 41st Ave., Soquel, 831-464-2228. SC41.com.
Racecourse isn’t a typical rock band. Just give 95 S 58-61 a spin. This new EP—lo-fi recording, mixed with their soft, folky sounds atop a layer of ambient white noise—gives the listener the impression of being right there at an intimate house show rather than listening through a pair of earbuds. Thursday’s show is presented by Redwood Records, who, for several years now, have been teaming up with local establishments to provide some of the best in California indie rock. Joining Racecourse are local punk-inspired indie rockers Trixie, San Francisco’s Brother M, and DJs Braincandy and Ilios. MAT WEIR
Bay Area electronic group Konceptualizer just released an amazing collaborative record, Think for Yourself. Spoken word and intermixed field recordings keep the listener on their toes while melodic riffs and vibraphone bring an intimate feeling to songs like “Trippin the Light” and “Wasteland.” As they present this record, which weaves in the styles and sounds of 11 different artists across the world, Konceptualizer invites musicians, singers and beatmakers to join in at this interactive Santa Cruz event. Featuring a variety of samples and synthesizers, and incorporating theremin and electric guitar, Konceptualizer celebrates a free-flowing creation of music. SHELLY NOVO
INFO: 6pm, Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Free. 429-1964.
SATURDAY 6/21
PUNK
AGENT ORANGE
The hard-hitting surf rock–informed punk of Agent Orange exploded onto the punk, skate and surf scenes of the early ’80s. Clean, sharp and fierce with lyrics that explored teenage suburban angst, the Reagan era’s unique brand of nihilism, and a strong dose of youthful defiance. Their cover of instrumental “Miserlou” predated the ’90s surf rock revival by a good ten years. Mike Palm has led many lineups of this power trio through 45 years of touring and recording as the frontman and the only consistent member. The show is all ages. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 6pm, SC Veterans Hall, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. $24-$36. 454-0478
ROCK
DIZGO
Dizgo delivers a redefined live experience while maintaining technical prowess. They blend Jamtronica, funk, deep-groove and psychedelic rock—guitar flourishes and soulful vocals, intermixed with analog synth to create an experience that is both kinetic and contemplative. With previous performances at Peach Music Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, and Resonance Music Festival, DIZGO knows how to create the perfect dance party. They have honed a tight show, while making room for free-flowing spontaneity that their fans adore. As they describe it, “We’ve found the perfect orbit.” SN
Thinking of adopting a new cat or dog, or thinking about getting involved in local animal rescues? And enjoy beer? If the answer is yes to those questions, then visit Discretion Brewing. There will be a meet & greet with cats and dogs available for adoption from the Animal Friends Rescue Project. Grab a beer and say hello to a potential new best friend. For those who aren’t ready to bring home a new pet, that’s okay! Take the time to learn about what the Animal Friends Rescue Project is doing to support local animals and local shelters. A good beer and petting a cute animal can be the perfect way to distract yourself from the Sunday scaries. Besides, beer! ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: Noon, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave., Suite A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.
MONDAY 6/23
JAZZ
TENOR OF THE TIMES Melissa Aldana plays Monday at Kuumbwa. Photo: Eduardo Pavez Goye
MELISSA ALDANA QUARTET
Chilean-born composer and tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana is a leading figure on the present-day jazz landscape. As a young child, she started on alto sax but switched to tenor after being inspired by the work of Sonny Rollins. Studying at Berklee, she was guided in part by major jazz figures Joe Lovano and George Garzone. Aldana debuted with 2009’s Free Fall. The first woman to win the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 2013, Aldana earned a Grammy nomination for 2019’s Frida Kahlo-inspired album, Visions. Her instrumental work explores her journey as a human and artist, focusing on self-acceptance. BK
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $52. 427-2227.
TUESDAY 6/24
ROCK
WAVVES
For 17 years, Wavves have brought the people a sound that ranges from indie rock to surf, psych, alternative and even a touch of the ’90s, never getting stuck in one lane. Their first three albums are iconic and were at the forefront of the mid-2000s beach-goth movement. On June 27, they will release their ninth studio album, Spun, for which several singles have already been released. The first, “So Long,” released this past February, also came with the announcement of Wavves’ very own cannabis company, Wavvy Supply Co., which all the band members co-own and describe as a place where “cannabis is not just a product but an art.” MW
INFO: 8pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $29. 713-5492.
WEDNESDAY 6/25
PUNK
NIIS
Los Angeles-born foursome Niis (pronounced “Nice”) have been called punk, hardcore, garage and grunge. Whatever one wants to label them it’s undeniable that they are loud, abrasive, in your face and not about to put up with anyone’s crap. While calling out the male-dominated scene, railing against capitalism, misogyny and everything else looking to keep us down, vocalist Mimi has the best growling, screaming, stalking and exploding stage presence since Wendy O Williams fronted the Plasmatics. If there were an annual Wendy O Williams Award (and there totally should be), Niis would be a shoo-in. KLJ
Some forms of self-expression are daring and prominent—full sleeve, face or neck tattoos, massive ear stretchers, facial piercings or implants. Others are more discreet, subtle and private…but no less bold and brave.
For something fresh in that latter category, there’s Lady Luck Beauty Salon, coyly offering “Coochie Colors.”
Serving all ages (under 17 requires parental consent), genders and sexual identities, Lady Luck owner Rachael Monighetti, 32, describes the service as “full spectrum body hair coloring that helps express your unique style, whether it’s your armpits, your brows or your bits.”
If you can imagine the color, Monighetti can whip up a dye that will leave patrons feeling “seen and celebrated” in whatever way that personally resonates for each individual. “I want to help my clients express themselves unapologetically,” Monighetti says.
Coochie Colors is the latest service from Monighetti, who was inspired when she saw a friend in San Diego with dyed armpit hair. When Monighetti realized no one in the Santa Cruz area was offering the service, she jumped in to fill the void.
The process of dying body hair or pubic hair is similar to coloring the hair on one’s head, but with a few important exceptions. Clients first consult with Monighetti to select the desired color. All the primary colors are available and colors can be blended to become pastel or any other custom shade.
The body hair being treated is first shampooed using a gentle, fragrance-free product. For the nether regions in particular, barrier tape is applied to “fully protect your parts” as Monighetti puts it. If necessary, the hair can be bleached. Then the desired color of dye is applied carefully and meticulously.
The difference between this dye and what is used on the head is there is no developer, hydrogen peroxide or other harsh chemicals. If one is dying pubic hair, there is the option to combine the Coochie Color service with a wax or full Brazilian wax beforehand.
The Coochie Color service costs $45 and is about a one-hour appointment.
LIGHT TOUCH Monighetti explains that waxing is not just removing unwanted hair. She also assesses the skin, hair type and sensitivities. PHOTO: Tarmo Hannula
Monighetti began her career as a hair stylist, but after passing the state board and getting her first salon job she didn’t find the work as gratifying as she’d initially imagined. “Something was missing,” she says. “It was fun, but there was no real passion in it for me. I wanted to do something more personal, something where my clients could really trust me.”
That’s when Monighetti started to focus on waxing. “I had no idea just how much skill it really takes. But once I started out I totally fell in love with it—the artistry, the connection and the trust my clients give me.”
Monighetti is quick to point out that waxing is not just removing unwanted hair. She also assesses the skin, hair type and sensitivities. “I help clients understand their skin better, recommend aftercare routines and products, and guide them through what’s best for smooth skin, or even helping them achieve their eyebrow goals. I am very meticulous in my craft and it shows.” Monighetti is proud to have a full roster of repeat clients, some coming from as far away as Oakland and San Jose to seek out her services.
After 10 years, Monighetti feels she has mastered her own waxing techniques, but continues to push the boundaries, just as she initially did with applying permanent makeup or tattooing eyebrows and freckles.
Another passion that emerged along the way is teaching. She now offers a master face and brow waxing class and a master Brazilian and full body waxing course for those who already have an aesthetician or cosmetology license.
In addition to Coochie Colors, Lady Luck offers a full array of services including full body waxing, face waxing, cosmetic tattoos, brow lamination, lash lifts and brow and lash tinting. View services and book online by visiting ladyluckbeautyparlor.com.
While her 10-year old puggle, Bagel, rests on his bed in her inviting mid-town workspace, Monighetti, a single mom, reflects on her business, her journey and what she has sought to create for her clientele. “Lady Luck is all about inclusivity, creativity and building a community where everyone feels seen, celebrated and confident,” she says.
It’s clear that she knows her stuff and one can easily see how Monighetti has earned the trust of longtime clients. In short, Monighetti is a human ray of sunlight helping the rest of us see the rainbow.
In the liberal Santa Cruz there is despair in the air as the current Washington administration attempts to enact changes to American life, following the Project 2025 playbook. But individuals are starting to push back, finding like-minded Americans through the website Indivisible.org.
As part of what is hoped to be the largest day of national protest against Donald Trump in his second term, Indivisible Santa Cruz County has organized a short rally at 10am this Saturday at Upper San Lorenzo Park (Duck Pond Stage) to start a march from the park at Dakota Avenue to the Santa Cruz County Building. It’s part of a countrywide protest called “No Kings” and intends to shine light on the current administration’s crackdown on free speech, detention of people for political views, illegal deportation of American citizens, defiance of courts, and the gutting of the governmental fabric that underpins our civilization.
Indivisible is a grassroots organization created after the 2016 election by ex-congressional staffers and husband-and-wife team Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin. There are more than 1,200 chapters across the country with millions of members who want to effect policy change and apply pressure to elected officials. Among the actions were the April 19 Hands Off! rallies, one of which I attended in Bakersfield. “If we are physically attacked, we don’t fight back,” said protester Peter Mandel at that rally. “We record it on camera, and we win the day.”
Core Principle: Nonviolent Action
In the wake of Trump’s almost unprecedented use of the National Guard to push back against protesters in Los Angeles this past weekend, Indivisible Santa Cruz County is making it clear that protests must be nonviolent: “A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action,” its mission states. “We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.”
The route for the march to the county building is mainly on flat ground, over sidewalks, and there will be accessible restrooms. Check out nokings.org for more information.
Carol Isberg, an active participant in Indivisible Santa Cruz County, is one of the thousands of men and women who have carried signs on streets to protest the autocratic takeover of our government. Isberg says, “My country is being ripped out from under me. We all believe in American ideals, that everyone is created equal. It is what we know America is capable of. Life is not a zero-sum game. The word ‘patriotism’ has been taken away from the American ideal.”
One of Carol’s favorite sayings is, “If Hillary had won, we’d all be at brunch now.” Brunch is what Carol says she and her pals would rather be doing, but from 10am to noon on June 14they will be meeting at the Duck Pond to organize, march and protest.
Size Matters
Lifting spirits of the anguished is one thing, but do protests really move the needle?
Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of Indivisible, is quoted by the BBC: “If your theory of winning against the authoritarians is mass peaceful protest, what’s the first word? Mass. It’s got to be big.”
Based on research by political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan, if 3.5 percent of the population shows up to demonstrate, the national discourse changes immediately. The Chenoweth/Stephan research finds this is particularly true for nonviolent demonstrations, which are more than twice as effective as those involving physical conflict. Chenoweth told BBC correspondent David Robson that once around 3.5 percent of the whole population has begun to participate actively, success appears to be inevitable.
Why do Santa Cruzans want to protest?
They all have personal reasons for protesting. Each feels a visceral impact on the lives of people close to them, sometimes their own lives. Indivisible’s Carol Isberg says, “This is the first time in my life that the national values are under existential threat. The only way to stop this is for people to stand up and say no.” Isberg believes that protest is the only tool available to her.
Indivisible’s Sandy Silver says, “I got started protesting when I was pregnant. While sitting in my gynecologist’s office I read a poster on the wall that said nuclear testing has produced radioactivity that is found in breastmilk. My breastmilk. That’s when I started protesting.”
‘It Lifts My Spirits’
I spoke with a Cabrillo college student as he painted a sign for Saturday’s rally that says, “My Tesla Self-Identifies as a Subaru.” I ask why he protests. “I find that it is just a fun time to meet so many people who empathize with my outrage. I like the feeling that we gather with all these people, thousands, to connect with our vision, our sanity. It lifts my spirits and I need that now. This cannot go on. My presence may be a drop in the bucket, but this is the bucket we must carry now, together.”
The weekend offers other chances to gather for activism, including a Dangerous Neighbors sketch comedy show at the Actors’ Theatre in Santa Cruz called Deflating Fascism. A benefit for Indivisible Santa Cruz, the show will run June 13-14 and 20-21. For info, visit santacruzactorstheatre.org.
June 14 will also mark the 34th Santa Cruz Juneteenth Celebration of Black Liberation and Freedom at Laurel Park, 440 Washington St., from noon to 5pm, with music, poetry, dance, food and the spirit of freedom For info, visit santacruzjuneteenth.com.
I’m Mexican, so my family celebrates Christmas in a big way. We make buñuelos, the Mexican dessert, and tamales from my grandma’s recipes. We all make it together, and I love that time of year.
Julia Lopez, 18, Biology Major, UCSC
MEKEDESE
My family gets together to break our fast after fasting for a month or two before Easter. It’s mostly meat dishes, the things we don’t eat while we’re fasting. My favorite is Doro Wat, a kind of spicy Ethiopian chicken stew.
Mekedese Kebede, 19, Political Science Major, UCSC
SAMUEL
Every Thanksgiving my Mom makes a Seafood Gumbo and collard greens and ham hocks—all the things that throughout the year we don’t eat. Then at Thanksgiving we go crazy.
Samuel Sweat, 28, Recording Artist / Professional Drummer
ANGELEE
Every Christmas my mom and I would make lumpia, which is a Filipino dish like a fried spring roll. We would make like 50 of them for a party and get together at night to roll them.
Angelee Montances, 19, Film / Psychology Double Major, UCSC
SARAH
For birthdays in Chinese culture, you eat Chang Shou Mian, Long Life Noodle. The longer the noodle means the longer you’ll live. You slurp one noodle for as long as you can and not stop in between, because that’s a bad omen.
Sarah Zhang Field, 20, Film Major at UCSC
KAREN
Celebrating Shabbat and lighting candles for the Shabbat queen and breaking the Challah, the braided bread, to share with everyone. The candles giving light are all about the queen Goddess they don’t want to admit.
I’ve lived in Santa Cruz long enough to think I’ve seen it all.
Nope.
That’s one great thing about our county: there are enough unusual and hidden spots to keep even lifelong locals surprised for life.
We called on a real-life magic man, magician Joshua Logan, to find hidden gems for our cover story, and as great as it is, there are probably still more surprises to be had. Which are your favorites? Drop us suggestions at ed****@*******es.sc.
This story not only tells me I need to get out more, it’s also like a tour guide to bring friends and family and impress them with our secrets. You can also catch a lot more tips in our summer Visitors Guide on newsstands through the summer.
One thing this shows is how connected our area still is to nature. Will that feel different with all these high rises downtown? At least there are plenty of places to escape to.
On the music front, Little Feat is returning to Santa Cruz, with one member left from the band that headlined the County Fairgrounds in 1979 with founder Lowell George and opening act Bonnie Raitt. Does anyone remember that one?
On the foodie front, you can save on a trip to Asia by getting some authentic ramen at the Hokkaido Ramen House. Back in the day, great Asian food was rare here and now we are getting some top-quality restaurants.
What’s “organic moonshine roots music”? We’ve got the story on Valerie June, a prolific Southern songwriter who plays the Rio this week.
Ready to get that summer reading list going? You may want to start with Christopher Moore’s latest New York Times best-seller, Anima Rising, his 19th novel. He’s coming to town to speak about it…a must-not-miss event.
So many people, so many cultures. This week’s Street Talk column digs into how our polyglot of people celebrate their homelands.
And finally, all I’ll say is hair color, where? You’ll have to check out the story.
Thanks for reading.
Brad Kava | Editor
PHOTO CONTEST
DOG DAY Cute pup hanging out in Capitola, eyeing the tourist canines. Photograph by Sevag Mehterian
GOOD IDEA
A different kind of protest will be held at the Santa Cruz Lighthouse at 1pm on June 21, called “Free the Chest.” It’s a chance for everyone and anyone to hang out without a top on. “Join us for a top-optional picnic at Lighthouse Point to celebrate, normalize and free the breast,” say the posters for the “All Gender Topless Sit In.”
GOOD WORK
The Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County has secured a $7 million Forest Health Grant from CAL FIRE to implementan ambitious, regionally connected suite of on-the-ground forest health projects spanning public and private lands throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains.
It will support forest management on 830 acres of high-priority landscapes in a “ring” around populated areas, adding reforestation and cutting invasive species, reducing hazardous fuels, and restoring native habitats.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“A lie will travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” –Attributed to both Mark Twain and Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Good Times states “Gay Rights are human rights,” as Good Times magazine completely censors the True Love Christian Festival. Not one article on the True Love Christian Music & Art Festival in the five years of advertising in the magazine. Each year the festival has grown over 100% but not one article. Yet, Good Times does a whole magazine on gay pride to convince our youth and children this is normal and fun. Being once a radical liberal myself and seeing the utter complete destruction it did to my life and others, it was not fun and certainly not normal.
I challenge you Good Times editorial staff Dave Kava, Rob Darrow, Kyara Rodriguez, Alice Morrison and Riley Nicholson. Come to a True Love Christian Festival and find a real True Love that will never leave you or forsake you and not some physical lustful love that lasts for just a moment and ends with a massive heartache that impacts you for the rest of your life.
Life is amazingly short, choose wisely, the Bible has words of life-saving wisdom. Please come and experience what True Love is all about. TrueLoveChristian.com
In His awesome service,
Simon Cassar | Associate Pastor Calvary Chapel Aptos
DON’T MAP AND DRIVE
—even if you’re just checking directions. The decision reinforces that any handheld phone use behind the wheel is considereA California appeals court has ruled that holding a phone to view maps while driving violates the state’s distracted driving lawd a violation, including map use. According to Zutobi’s 2025 Distracted Driving Report:
In 2023, 357 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver in California.
That’s 1.27 deaths per 100,000 licensed drivers.
Distracted driving accounted for 8.8% of all fatal crashes in the state.
Zutobi co-founder Lucas Waldenback offered this commentary:
“This ruling sends a strong and much-needed message. Even when drivers think they’re just glancing at a map, the risk is enormous. A moment of distraction can be fatal. Your eyes are off the road for an average of 5 seconds when interacting with a phone—at 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field blind.
“It’s essential to set your GPS or route before you start driving, or pull over safely if you need to make adjustments. The data shows how devastating distracted driving continues to be—and small changes in behavior can save lives.”
Ana Zakharova | PR & Communication Manager | Zutobi
ONLINE COMMENTS
PRIDE PARADE
Thank you for sharing photos from this awesome Pride parade! I had front row seats and still enjoyed the recap.
Yes, thank you sooo much for the valuable information! I believe in this wholeheartedly. Micro-dosing has definitely begun to help me in my everyday life.
Twenty-seven real, walkable spots—trailheads, bluffs, murals, tide pools and long-closed swim holes—where wonder still slips through the cracks. Bring sturdy shoes, a sense of care for fragile places, and, where noted, an eye on tides, ticks and private property lines.
1. Sunset Trail, Quail Hollow Ranch
The last bench lives up to the trail’s name: dwarf redwoods at your feet, sandhills drifting gold behind you, the whole San Lorenzo Valley in front.
Feel: like you’ve found the lookout your future self will visit in a dream.
INFO: 800 Quail Hollow Road, Felton. Park by the ranch house (8am–sunset), hike uphill past the stables. Spring ticks are real—long pants help.
2. The “Other Path,” Land of Medicine Buddha
Skip the signed Eight Verses Loop. Just past the prayer flags, a narrow track drops left into a pine-soft ravine humming with birdsong.
Feel: like stepping into someone else’s peaceful secret.
INFO: Park on Prescott Road, walk through the front gate, trail starts beyond the stupa. This is an active retreat—move quietly and respectfully.
3. Sunday Flow Jam at Lighthouse Point
Sunset on West Cliff draws poi spinners, jugglers, slackliners and the occasional magician. Waves provide the soundtrack, dogs the applause.
Feel: like orbiting something creative, human and alive.
INFO: Lighthouse Field, West Cliff Drive. Show up an hour before sunset on Sundays; jams are informal but consistent.
4. Jade Street Park at Golden Hour
After 4pm, the Capitola Community Center lawn turns into one big living-room picnic: volleyball nets popping, kids on scooters, card tricks traded for laughter and astonishment.
Feel: like everyone’s invited and nobody’s trying too hard.
Off Spring Street, a faint spur funnels into towering ferns and still air. Seasonal mountain lion closures (January–March, some years) keep it extra-quiet.
Feel: like nature just whispered your name.
INFO: Spring Street trailhead. Walk slowly, notice everything.
6. Natural Bridges Tide Pools
Low tide exposes a maze of anemones and purple urchins. Rinse your shoe soles on the way out—washing off any hitch-hiking germs helps protect sea-star habitats in the next tide pool.
Feel: like eavesdropping on the ocean’s private thoughts.
INFO: 2531 W. Cliff Dr. Check tide charts; sturdy shoes, minimal stepping on the critters.
7. UCSC Secret Swing
Past the Great Meadow, near the treeline, a rope swing (when it hasn’t been cut down) arcs above Monterey Bay. Fog can roll in mid-flight and vanish by landing.
Feel: like flying inside your own memory.
INFO: Trail spur off Empire Grade at Twin Gates. May be absent—bring a sense of humor.
LIKE HISTORY HUMMING UNDER SALT SPRAY Waves pound the cliffs along the path to Wilder Ranch. Photo: Richard Stockton
8. Wilder Ranch Ohlone Bluff Loop at Dusk
Start in the eucalyptus grove, wander cliffside single-track; golden hour melts cows, clouds and coastline into one big painting.
Feel: like the planet queued a private show for you.
INFO: Wilder Ranch State Park. Easy 2-mile loop from main lot.
9. Abbott Square Evening Jam
Downtown’s open-air courtyard flips personalities hourly: bao + beer, string quartet, fire spinner, repeat. Sit anywhere and stay curious.
Feel: like catching lightning in a coffee cup.
INFO: 725 Front St. Courtyard officially closes 10pm.
10. Santa Cruz Mission Hilltop
Adobe walls whisper history; the vista above downtown grants instant perspective.
Feel: like stepping out of the timeline for a breath.
INFO: 144 School St. Grounds close 5pm sharp.
11. Arana Gulch Tarplant Bend
Late June–August, the endangered Santa Cruz tarplant—tiny, bright and stubborn—turns one curve of path pure yellow. The rest of the year there are cows at the Gulch, put there to help grow the tarplant. They have helped the endangered species grow healthily.
Feel: like stumbling into a living watercolor.
INFO: Agnes Street entrance; paved path, bend is ~0.3 mi in.
LIKE NATURE PRESSED THE PAUSE BUTTON On the path to Neary Lagoon. Photo: Contributed
12. Neary Lagoon Floating Walkway at Dawn
Mist coils off still water while egrets stalk breakfast. City noise doesn’t make the invite list. Dogs aren’t, either.
Feel: like nature pressed the pause button.
INFO: 111 Washington St. Boardwalk opens at sunrise; no pets.
13. Moore Creek Sandstone Labyrinth
Behind upper meadows, beach pebbles form a hand-laid spiral. Sometimes storms erase it—then hikers rebuild.
Feel: like solving a puzzle with your feet.
INFO: 255 High St. gate; follow signs toward coast overlook, listen for creek. Step lightly off-trail.
14. Hidden Beach Driftwood Arch (Aptos)
Winter swells stack timbers into a rough arch; by late spring it’s gone. Duck through for a perfectly framed horizon.
Feel: like walking through a portal the sea drew in pencil.
INFO: Hidden Beach Park, 1500 Park Dr. Best seen at low tide, Dec–Mar.
15. DeLaveaga Quarry Lookout
Past disc-golf Hole 16, a scramble reaches an abandoned sandstone cut. Loose rock, big views, bigger echoes.
Feel: like climbing backstage catwalks of the forest.
INFO: Branciforte Drive entrance; veer left at tee box, use caution.
16. Twin Lakes Jetty Bench
A lone whale-mosaic seat faces the harbor mouth; pelicans dive so close you flinch. Storms occasionally remove the bench—your mileage may vary.
Feel: like renting a private theater to watch tides change.
End of Fifth Avenue, beside Walton Lighthouse stairs.
17. Pelton Avenue Mural Stairway (Seabright)
Step-by-step sea-life mural by Yeshe Jackson unfurls toward the sand; late-day light ignites the blues.
Feel: like descending through a moving postcard.
INFO: Pelton Avenue stairs at East Cliff Drive.
18. Wilder Ranch Old Dairy Ruins
Crumbled concrete walls and rusted hardware frame crashing surf like a proscenium.
Feel: like history humming under salt spray.
INFO: From main lot, hike 1.2 mi north on Ohlone Bluff Trail; stay outside fencing.
19. Seascape Bluff Pocket Meadow
Between cliff-top homes, a 30-ft meadow with a lone Monterey pine offers front-row moonrise.
Feel: like the coast saved you a VIP seat.
INFO: Park at Seascape County Park, Sumner Ave. lot; short spur left along bluff.
20. Nisene Marks Maple Cathedral
A ring of giant big-leaf maples off Split Stuff Trail turns to golden stained glass mid-October.
Feel: like standing in a breathing kaleidoscope.
INFO: Porter Picnic Area; 0.6 mi up Split Stuff, unmarked gap on right.
21. Mission Hill Mosaic Staircase
Ceramic tiles of waves, sunsets and foxes climb from High Street to California Street—a community art love letter with skyline payoff.
Feel: like walking up through a storybook spine.
INFO: Base at 200 High St. Best colors at golden hour.
22. Moran Lake Tide Cave
Minus-tide only: a moss-draped alcove under the south cliff frames the beach like theater curtains.
Feel: like the ocean let you backstage.
INFO: 227 Moran Lake Rd.; descend south stairs, walk 200 yards. Check tide tables first.
23. Shark-Fin Cove View Ledge (Davenport)
A five-minute scramble above the old cement-plant tracks lands you on a fang-shaped outcrop. Fog below looks like dry ice.
Feel: like riding the dorsal fin of California.
INFO: Pull-out 0.7 mi south of Davenport on Hwy 1; cross tracks, angle right uphill.
24. Soquel Demo Forest Gate 1 Overlook
Before the single-track plunges, a serpentine shelf serves a 200-degree skyline from Monterey Bay to Mt. Umunhum. Weekend mornings buzz with bikes—be prepared for rugged trails and share the space.
Feel: like zooming out on Google Earth—no screen required.
INFO: Highland Way to Gate 1, walk 0.4 mi on Road 1.
25. Valencia Creek Orchard-Swing Ruins (status uncertain)
Local lore says a lone plank swing hangs from an ancient pear tree beside mill foundations. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes not—but the ivy-wrapped stones still transport.
Feel: like scooping a century of stories in one arc—if you find the rope.
INFO: Trailhead at Valencia Road and Aptos School Road; creek path 0.3 mi. Respect private boundaries.
James Vergon’s Nostalgic Picks
James Vergon—lifelong local and longtime admin of Santa Cruz’s largest Facebook community, who’s put countless hours into curating and moderating local stories—swears these shuttered swim holes still hum with memory if you know where to stand.
26. Lompico Fresh-Water Pool Ruins
Concrete basin and diving platform sit mossy under redwoods; laughter echoes if you listen hard enough. Viewable from the road only—private land beyond the gate.
Feel: like paging through a sun-bleached scrapbook—only it’s yours.
INFO: End of Lompico Road near Redwood Lodge Road. Please stay outside fences.
27. Old Ben Lomond Swim Hole (Junction Park)
The dam’s gone, but riverbank scents of redwood needles and cold tannin water remain. Stand on the smooth rocks behind Junction Park and time-travel to summers past.
Feel: like the water kept your childhood on file and loans it back for a minute.
INFO: 50 Mill St., Ben Lomond. Follow path to river; tread lightly—this is still a backyard for wildlife and locals.
Josh Logan is a magician who grew up bouncing between NorCal and SoCal and has called Santa Cruz home for 20 years. He’s performed worldwide and for many companies around Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz, under the mentorship of Paul Harris, the “Wonka of Magic.”
In the 2000 film Songcatcher, the title character is a turn-of-the-century musicologist who collects folk songs. In a way, Valerie June is a modern-day version of that. But rather than curate traditional music, June’s quest is a more spiritual journey that finds her channeling inspiration that can develop over years for a single song or poem before it ends up getting recorded or put down on a page.
That is the blueprint for Owls, Omens, and Oracles, the fourth studio effort from the woman whose full name is Valerie June Hockett. Produced by singer-songwriter M. Ward, these 14 songs took a circuitous route to completion, and in the process were soaked in the innocence and idiosyncratic whimsy that this daughter of the South has dubbed “organic moonshine roots music.”
“The songs always take way longer than the actual recording,” she admitted in a late-March interview. “‘All I Really Want to Do,’ ‘Love Me Any Ole Way,’ ‘My Life is a Country Song’—those are all like 15 to 20 years old. Songs like ‘Joy, Joy!’ and ‘Endless Tree’ were written within the last four years. Songs come to me when they come to me. They kind of give a giant exclamation point and jump off the page when they’re ready to be recorded. I just kind of sit patiently and let them develop and become what they want to be until I say, ‘Okay, it’s time.’ They have personalities, lives and live far beyond the songwriters. But the actual recording process? We had 12 days. We were in there in July—12 days right after my mom turned 70. We went out to L.A. and we made it happen.”
Speaking with June, one can’t help but get drawn in by her bubbly optimism, sense of wonder and a honeyed Southern drawl that exudes warmth. She’ll be the first to admit that “I honestly love working in a world of magical things from fairies to four-leaf clovers to adventures. But I also like to bring those things into reality, almost in the way that an author like Octavia Butler would write about the future that can be.”
It’s no surprise that there is a degree of mysticism attached to the title of Valerie June’s latest project that began with a visit from an owl that appeared two or three times over a year and a half by the pond behind her Tennessee home. It got her thinking about the iconography of wisdom and vision associated with this raptor.
“Owls symbolize mystery, so kind of not knowing what’s going to happen, but having a feeling that you can see as far as you can and hoping for something meaningful, particularly given these times that we’re living in,” she said. “It seems so much like my messenger animal. The oracle is just a reminder for me and all of us that we are ultimately the oracles for those coming in the future. Because everything we do, whether we’re loving, wishing sweet things, being joyful or nasty, nasty folks—whatever we want to do—it’s creating that future for others. Very much the messenger, but we also have responsibility and accountability for what it looks like to live in a different kind of world—a world of joy. It’s a lot of responsibility, you know.”
For Owls, Omens, and Oracles, Ward proved to be an invaluable resource. It just so happened he was someone the 43-year-old singer-songwriter had an enduring admiration for Ward long before the duo met up when the former asked June to contribute a song and perform on “Livin’ On a High Note,” the 2016 Mavis Staples album he was producing.
“I would be cleaning houses or working at the cafés making lattes and his song would come on the radio like ‘Helicopter,’ ‘Undertaker’ or anything and I would stop all these things I was doing,” June recalled. “It’s like my world stopped when I heard his music. It was after performing ‘Undertaker’ with him at the Newport Folk Festival and the Hardly Strictly Folk Festival about 10 years ago that I told M. that I’d love to make a record with him and he said he was absolutely on board.”
Ward was willing to go above and beyond the recording studio to help June achieve her vision with Owls, Omens and Oracles. When she had the idea of asking Norah Jones to play on the harmony-kissed “Sweet Things Just for You,” but was too shy to ask her longtime friend, erstwhile producer Ward quickly volunteered to make the call. (“She said, ‘Oh yes, darling, absolutely, I’ll sing on it.’ She’s so humble and sweet.”)
Same thing when it came to having the Blind Boys of Alabama take a turn on the call-and-response “Changed.” (“When M. and I were in the studio working on ‘Changed,’ we said we needed male voices on this one. We said we had to call the Blind Boys—fingers crossed, fingers crossed. And yup, they said yeah.”)
As rock solid as the new album is, June is pumped to hit the road. With many miles under her belt, from playing solo shows and loads of festivals, the multi-instrumentalist is ready to raise the roof.
“We are going to show out, I’m telling you,” she said with a quick laugh. “Folks think they’ve seen me, but they ain’t seen me because I’m finally so ready. I’ve been playin’ all this time. It used to be that I would get on stage and ask if this was okay if I sing like this, do this move or play this note? Nah, I ain’t thinkin’ about nothin’ but getting up there and showing out now and being my full self because I’m just like there. I’m there in my life.”
She added, “I met an older gentleman at my last show and he was talking about speaking your mind when you get older. I thought, ‘I get that, right now at this age.’ I’m finally at the age where if I don’t feel something, I’m going to let you know fast. If I love something, I’m gonna let you know fast and it’s not a good or a bad thing, it’s just the way it is.”
Valerie June plays at 8 and 10pm on June 17 at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. Tickets: $40-$53. pulseproductions.net
For 17 years, Wavves have brought the people a sound that ranges from indie rock to surf, psych, alternative and even a touch of the ’90s. Tuesday at The Catalyst.
Valerie June’s quest is a spiritual journey channeling inspiration that can develop over years for a single song or poem. Valerie June brings her “organic moonshine roots music" to the Rio Theatre, June 17.
