As Santa Cruz emerges from its wintry slumber, the sights, sounds and sumptuous flavors of our vibrant home come alive with the sunshine of spring. There’s plenty to keep you and your appetite busy, but if you need some inspiration, take note of the tasty ideas on the following pages. We have bites and sips that will satisfy you no matter the mood you find yourself in as the weather warms up. Feeling stressed? Slow down with a traditional tea ritual at Hidden Peak Teahouse (page 52), or unwind over a pint of organic brew at the mellow new beer hotspot Discretion Brewing (page 44). Enjoying an adventurous streak? Try a Beer Float from The Picnic Basket (page 34), or consider stopping by the Young Farmers and Ranchers annual Testicle Festival (page 59).

Click to open 2013 Bridal Expo Guide.
Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Area offer some of the most unique and stunning wedding venues in the world. Whether you picture yourself barefoot on the beach, in a traditional dress at a local church, or dancing under the redwoods, there are hundreds of options to fit your style and budget.  

Planning your wedding should be a wonderful adventure, and with the right experts on your team, it will be.  Our area is lucky to have an abundance of creative, skilled professionals, excited to share their knowledge and make your life a lot easier.

The Art of Gifting
This year, maybe it’s best to pay somebody to untangle your old holiday lights. Three words: “Don’t freak out!” That said, welcome to the Holiday Season. In between attending a plethora of events and making plans to be with friends and family this time of year, we all seem destined to also carve out some time to purchase gifts. That’s where GT’s annual Holiday Gift Guide may prove to be helpful. This year, our guide boasts more gifts, and more places to purchase them, than ever before. And plenty of variety, too—from the unique and bountiful offerings found at the Homeless Garden Project’s Holiday Store in Downtown Santa Cruz (homelessgardenproject.org) to the fine items found in stores like The Warmth Company in Aptos (warmthcompany.com). Be sure to also take note of our special features this year: Second Harvest Food Bank, The Holiday Lights Train, and the area’s top seasonal productions. It’s all here for the taking. Peruse the following pages and use this guide for inspiration. Thanks for reading. Happy Holidays.  | Greg Archer, Editor

It’s that time of year again—school is back in session, and you’re either a little fish in a big pond or the big man/woman on campus. Whether you’re a freshman at UC Santa Cruz or finishing at Cabrillo College, there’s plenty to discover on campus and around town.

To help you navigate both UCSC and Cabrillo’s campus—including the best places to study, chow down, hang out and more—and get the most out of your college experience, we’ve dedicated the first portion of this year’s Dilated Pupil to just that. Want to know where to work out? We’ve got you covered. Looking for the best place to buy dorm room decor? Look no further.

Then, when you’re all ready to brave the unknown and explore around town, check out the second half of Dilated Pupil, in which we give you the lowdown on the best places to see live music, scarf pizza, spark romance, get that long-awaited piercing, surf, and more.

Let Good Times be your guide.
—Jenna Brogan, Editor
Click to open
Dilated Pupil Santa Cruz Student Guide to on and off campus living (PDF)

One of the pleasures that locals find living in Santa Cruz County is, perhaps, knowing that they reside in somewhat of a protective paradise. There’s the striking beauty—from the gorgeous Monterey Bay to the breathtaking Santa Cruz Mountains. And then there’s the amazing food—from festive little taquerías to upscale culinary hot spots. And in between, there’s so much activity happening that it’s hard to be bored here. Now, you get to experience some of the splendor, too. Most visitors to the area admit to being captivated by everything Santa Cruz County has to offer, and our annual guide is designed to help steer you in the right direction, and, perhaps, point out a few things you may not have even considered on your trip.
Open Santa Cruz Visitor Guide PDF>
Santa Cruz Visitor Guide Online>

<click for guide, route, closures, shuttles, schedule>

Hello! We are down to the wire with the final touches of the 7th Annual Amgen Tour of California, coming to Cabrillo College in Aptos on Monday, May 14. By now most of you have heard about the grassroots effort that has been going on since last October. If you hadn’t heard, there have been a hearty bunch of volunteers and business owners who have donated money and products to pay for bringing these world class cyclists to Santa Cruz County.

Welcome to the second edition of GT Active, Good Times Weekly’s annual magazine that celebrates health, fitness and the great outdoors in Santa Cruz County. From redwood forest to shining sea (and everything in between), this county offers up more than its fair share of options for staying fit, vibrant and active. Here, we spotlight some of the places, businesses and people who embody this spirit locally. As you flip through, we hope you will be inspired to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities found in this mecca of wellness we call home. In the words of author/businessman Jim Rohn, "take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."
-Elizabeth Limbach, Editor

Click to open the 2102 GT Active pdf Guide to Health, Fitness and the Great Outdoors >

Check out a sampling of the articles from GT Active below. 

Inside
Starters
Main Courses
Drinks/Desserts

Food and Wine Dining Guide

The Cocoanut Grove
Seascape Flowers
Hollins House
Crown Café Catering
Alexis Party Rental
Music Now DJ

Welcome

We welcome you to our seventh annual ‘A Taste of Santa Cruz’ fundraising event!

The Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS® Housing Foundation (SCAORHF) is thrilled to invite you to this fun and tasty event on Nov. 3 at the Cocoanut Grove. This year we are welcoming back many of the restaurants that have consistently offered flavorful samplings from their menus during the past few years and excitedly await the cuisine being planned this year from our new entries.