City of Santa Cruz Sister Cities Committee

02/26/2026

We’re proud to share the official approval of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico as a Friendship City with Santa Cruz!
Through Santa Cruz’s Sister Cities program, we seek to foster international goodwill, cultural understanding, and educational and economic exchange. Puerto Escondido — a rapidly developing coastal city with a vibrant Indigenous and mestizo population, growing tourism economy, and strong commitment to environmental sustainability — shares many of Santa Cruz’s values.
With a significant Oaxacan and broader Latin American community here at home, and partners like Senderos promoting cultural exchange and educational equity, this new relationship strengthens our commitment to inclusion, sustainability, and global engagement. 🌎🤝

02/17/2026

🎶✨ Experience the Sounds of Japan in Santa Cruz! ✨🎶
Join us for a Japanese Cultural Fair – Shingu Sister Cities Concert Fundraiser featuring an unforgettable evening of traditional Japanese music 🇯🇵
🗓 Saturday, February 21
⏰ 2PM
📍 Harvey West Club House
326 Evergreen St, Santa Cruz
Enjoy live performances by:
🎼 Shamisen: Kyle Abbott & Su Benjamin
🎋 Shakuhachi: Karl Young
Immerse yourself in the rich musical traditions of Japan while supporting the Shingu Sister Cities program. This special fundraiser helps strengthen cultural connections between Santa Cruz and Shingu through arts, education, and community exchange.
🎟 Get your tickets here:
🔗 https://www.santacruztickets.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WS…
Tag a friend who loves live music and cultural events and make it a night to remember! 🌸🎶

02/13/2026

🇮🇹✨ Dreaming of Italy? Join the 2026 Sister Cities Young Adult Delegation to Sestri Levante!
Santa Cruz residents ages 18–21 can now and apply through WebTrac forms by March 6, 2026. Selected delegates will receive a partial scholarship of up to $1,000 for airfare and travel expenses, thanks to the generous support of the Gralen Eidam Wilson Scholarship Fund and Youth Ambassadors Fund.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to represent Santa Cruz abroad! 🌍
For more info, contact Enda Brennan at [email protected]

Santa Cruz Sister Cities Committee Summer 2026, Young Adult Delegation to Sestri Levante, Italy. Click on the

02/12/2026

✨ Ready to write your own fairy tale? ✨👑
Dragons? 🐉 Talking animals? 🦢 Brave heroes? 🌊 A magical world of your own? The 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Writing Contest is your chance to make it happen!
Santa Cruz residents & Santa Cruz City Schools students of all ages are invited to submit an original fable or fairy tale. 📚✍️
🗓 Deadline: March 2, 2026
📏 5,000–10,500 characters (including spaces)
Once upon a time… your story begins now! 💫
Learn more at santacruzca.gov/sistercities
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Rules 2026Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author and poet, most famous for his fairy tales. Among his best-known stories are “The Snow Queen,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Thumbelina,” “The Little Match Girl,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “The Red Shoes.”During Andersen’s lifeti...

01/23/2026

You’re Invited! 💃🇯🇵🎉
We’re inviting you to a fun and meaningful way to support this year’s Santa Cruz–Shingu Youth Delegation — a Zumbathon fundraiser on Sunday, February 1st at the Harvey West Clubhouse!
Youth exchange experiences are truly transformative, and this year’s travel costs are especially high. Your support helps ensure every student can participate fully in this life-changing program.
You can now pre-purchase tickets online, with an option to increase your donation if you’re able. Join us on the dance floor — or support from afar!
👉 Register and donate here:
https://casantacruzweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=93092050
P.S. Can’t attend? Donations are welcome — every bit helps our students go farther

01/14/2026

✨ Update on the 2026 Young Adult Delegation ✨
The Santa Cruz Sister Cities delegation to Sestri Levante, Italy has been postponed. New travel dates will be announced soon.
📅 Stay tuned for updates and next steps—we can’t wait to share more! 🇮🇹🌊

01/07/2026

Discover la dolce vita with the 2026 Santa Cruz Young Adult Delegation to Sestri Levante, Italy 🇮🇹✨
Nestled along the sparkling Mediterranean between Portofino and Cinque Terre, Sestri Levante is a vibrant coastal town known for its colorful streets, rich culture, and deep connection to art and storytelling. From boating and swimming in crystal-blue waters to immersing yourself in Italian daily life, this once-hidden gem offers an unforgettable cultural exchange experience.
Open to Santa Cruz young adults ages 18–21, this delegation is a chance to travel, learn, and represent our community abroad while building lifelong connections.
📅 Deadline to apply: February 1, 2026
Adventure, culture, and international friendship await—don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

12/11/2025

🌊🇫🇷 Calling all SC Junior Guards!
Applications are now open for the 2026 Sister Cities Junior Guard Delegation to Biarritz, France!
Experience ocean culture abroad, represent Santa Cruz, and make lifelong memories.
✨ Open to SCJG participants entering grades 9–11 in Fall 2026
✨ Application is free
✨ Estimated trip cost if selected: $2,250 + spending money
✨ Deadline: January 15, 2026
Priority given to JGs dedicated to ocean safety, community service, and the SCJG program.
Questions? Contact Kaley Roth – [email protected]

11/20/2025

Council member an Director of Operations for the , Sonja Brunner hosting one of the delegates from Sestri Lavante, Italy to a game and downtown locations! 🏀🍻🗺️

11/14/2025

APPLICATIONS for AYF 2026 NOW OPEN! 🎌
AYF Fellowship Program in Awaji Island, Japan, designed to create a community of professionals that work on social challenges in today’s Japan and the World. 🏯
An outstanding (and paid) opportunity to live and work in Japan for 6-12 months as an AYF Fellow.  💰
Participants will have an opportunity to create outstanding projects around regional revitalization, innovation, art and event creation. 🎨

11/10/2025

Our Sister Cities Friends from Sestri Levante, Italy have arrived! We are looking forward to enjoying this time together and sharing our community with them! 🇮🇹