Hey there, Santa Cruz! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Giacomo Puccini's Opera: The Girl of the Golden West and 4 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Santa Cruz Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Santa Cruz Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Santa Cruz.
1. Santa Cruz City Schools urges parents to fill out free meal application (santacruzsentinel.com) — Families with students in Santa Cruz City Schools are urged to complete the free meal application, even though all students will still receive free breakfast and lunch this year. The forms help determine state funding for programs serving low-income, English learner, homeless, and foster youth, and can unlock discounts on college tests and internet bills for families.
2. Another cliff collapse at Santa Cruz's Steamer Lane raises erosion concerns (ksbw.com) — A second cliff collapse this summer at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz is worrying surfers and coastal experts who see visible erosion and shifting wave patterns along West Cliff. With a predicted El Niño and rising seas, the city and Save the Waves Coalition are closely monitoring the area and considering erosion responses that could affect access and surf conditions.
3. Davis named Women's Basketball Interim Head Coach at UC Santa Cruz (whoopdirt.com) — UC Santa Cruz has tapped veteran coach Scott Davis as interim head coach for the women's basketball team after a national search. Davis brings strong records from Dominican University and Cal Poly, including conference titles and NCAA tournament experience, which could boost the Banana Slugs' competitiveness and visibility for local fans and student-athletes.
4. Annual road maintenance begins in South Santa Cruz County (santacruzsentinel.com) — Drivers in and around South Santa Cruz County should expect weekday lane impacts as the county's annual road maintenance program runs through Oct. 22. Spot paving is scheduled on key routes including Casserly, Wheelock, San Andreas, Browns Valley, Hazel Dell, Highland, Eureka Canyon, and Green Valley roads, with dates that may shift depending on weather and conditions.
5. Santa Cruz Readers Share Their Summer Reads (goodtimes.sc) — Local book lovers in Santa Cruz share where they head first in a bookstore and what they're reading this summer, from sci‑fi epics to psychology and philosophy. Their picks, including graphic novels, true crime, and spiritual classics, might give you ideas for your own next read around town.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Santa Cruz PatchAM possible:
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
Ok Santa Cruz! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Santa Cruz Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.