The Good Times writing team picks their own favorite things for the Best of Santa Cruz County 2024.

Santa Cruzans voted for their favorite boutiques, specialty shops, banks, service providers and more in the 2024 Best of Santa Cruz readers survey.

A teacher once told me to be careful with the word best. Once you declare something is at the top of the heap, you’ve...

Good Times readers vote for their favorite people, places and things involved in health and recreation in Santa Cruz County.

Good Times readers voted on their favorite restaurants, bars, bakeries, snack shops and more in the Best of Santa Cruz Food and Drink category.

The best art event, gallery, author and more

Best Local Athlete CARINA REID Silver Medal ISAIAH WORK Bronze Medal NAT YOUNG Best Local Hero CARINA REID Silver Medal GAYLIA OSTERLUND Bronze Medal KEITH MCHENRY Best Nonprofit Group FOOD NOT BOMBS Silver Medal COUNTY PARK FRIENDS Bronze Medal HOMELESS GARDEN...

My name is DNA and I’ve performed stand-up comedy in Santa Cruz and beyond since 2005. I’m 61. Even when I started out, I was twice as old as everyone else. At this point, I’m wrestling with early rigor mortis every time I get onstage.

You are from Santa Cruz if you know that summer starts at noon. So, we know the overcast morning will lead to a golden afternoon when we hike up from Gazos Creek to check in on the iconic redwood, the scorched but thriving Candelabra Tree. For the past fifteen years, every three or four weeks I’ve hiked with three guys. In five mile increments, we have walked the beaches and cliffs from Santa Cruz to the Golden Gate Bridge and back, three times.

As I look back over the years, I realize I’ve followed in the footsteps of my paternal grandfather, Edwin, a longtime newspaper columnist. Perhaps, it makes sense, as I was born under the Gemini zodiac sign in Mercury, the planet associated with strong communication skills. It started in grade school when I entertained my class with a made-up-as-I-went written saga.

“Oh sweetie, you don’t have to call yourself that!” says the woman in the long grocery line as we converse casually. She tells me she’s a local, having grown up in Salinas. My first job in TV news was in Salinas at the then NBC affiliate, KSBW, 50 years ago. She used to watch me on the news when she was a toddler.

Santa Cruz showing appreciation for all the people, places and things they hold near and dear

The best hotel, produce, toy store and more

Honoring the county's greatest people, places and things

The best bike shop, cannabis delivery, gym and more

The best author, mural, museum and more

The best beach, derby girl, farmers market and more

The best bread, new restaurant, wine selection and more

The best local band, dance club, new brewery and more

How two UC professors dove into the weed world of Santa Cruz and beyond to explore the future of legal cannabis

The county’s cannabis tax revenues saw a major drop in 2022 as several local businesses closed