Santa Cruz City Government

09/08/2026

⚠️ HEAT ADVISORY: Wednesday 10 AM through Thursday 10 PM ⚠️

A Heat Advisory has been issued for the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast as hot conditions peak mid-week.

Forecast Details:
Interior Highs: 90°F to 105°F
Coastal Highs: Mid-70s to low-90s
Overnight Lows: Mid-60s to low-70s, with higher elevations remaining elevated in the 70s to 80s, offering little overnight relief.

Impacts:
Heat illness risk will be elevated for anyone spending prolonged time outdoors, particularly during peak afternoon hours or while performing physical exertion.

Heat Safety Tips:
Drink plenty of water or sports drinks throughout the day—don't wait until you're thirsty.
Take frequent breaks in air conditioning or shade.
Shift outdoor activities to cooler morning or evening times.
Look before you lock: Never leave people or pets inside an unattended vehicle!

09/07/2026

In observance of Labor Day, most City of Santa Cruz administrative offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026. Essential services, including police, fire, and emergency response, will continue to operate as normal.

Regular City office hours will resume on Tuesday, September 8.

We wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day!

09/04/2026

Heading to the beach this Labor Day weekend? Use extra caution. ⚠️

The National Weather Service is forecasting hazardous beach conditions in Santa Cruz County Friday through Monday due to long-period southerly swell from Hurricanes Karina and Marie.

Beachgoers should be prepared for:

🌊 High risk of sneaker waves
⚠️ Strong rip and longshore currents
🌊 Breaking waves up to 10 feet
🏊 Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water

South- and west-facing beaches are expected to see the greatest impacts. Even when the weather is beautiful, ocean conditions can be dangerous. Never turn your back on the ocean, stay off rocks and jetties, and keep children and pets close.

If you’re visiting the coast this holiday weekend, please stay alert, follow posted warnings and lifeguard instructions, and know your limits.

Enjoy Santa Cruz safely!

09/04/2026

Construction continues to make significant progress on the Downtown Library & Affordable Housing Project. Crews are nearing completion of structural concrete work, with the final major concrete pour currently scheduled for September. Because of the nature of the work, work is expected to begin around 5 a.m. and continue until about 7 p.m. on the day of the concrete pour.

During the pour, large equipment will be positioned around the project site, requiring intermittent closures of Lincoln and Cathcart streets between Cedar Street and Pacific Avenue. Crews will keep the streets open whenever possible when active concrete work is not underway. Please follow all posted signage and flagger directions when traveling through the area.

Meanwhile, wood framing for the housing portion of the project is underway, with construction progressing from the fourth through eighth levels. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work has also begun. In the coming weeks, a covered walkway and scaffolding will be installed along the alley side of the project while maintaining access to neighboring businesses and buildings.

Downtown businesses remain open during construction! We encourage the community to continue supporting businesses surrounding the project, particularly along Cathcart, Cedar and Lincoln streets and Pacific Avenue.

Parking remains available nearby in the Soquel Garage and Lots 3, 7 and 9, with limited two-hour parking in Lot 8.

09/03/2026

⚠️Hazardous beach conditions return Friday morning and continue through Monday evening due to an increased risk of sneaker waves and strong rip currents. If going to the beach this weekend, know what to do if stuck in a rip current and remember to never turn your back on the ocean.

08/06/2026

Are you a high school student who lives in the City of Santa Cruz? Want to make a real impact in your community?

Apply to become a City Youth Liaison! As a Youth Liaison, you'll work alongside City leaders, attend City Council meetings, build leadership and advocacy skills, connect with other youth leaders across the county, and earn a stipend for your time.

📅 Applications close August 28, 2026.

Learn more and apply today! www.santacruzca.gov/youthliaison

08/06/2026

The City is developing new design guidelines for larger multifamily and mixed-use housing to help ensure future development fits well within neighborhoods, reflects Santa Cruz's unique character, and creates safe, attractive, and livable places.

📝 Take the 15-minute survey and share your perspective. Your feedback will help shape the final design guidelines for future housing in Santa Cruz.

The survey is open through August 31st. Learn more & take the survey at www.santacruzca.gov/design

07/31/2026

🌊 West Cliff | Part 2 of 2: Adaptation Options

What could the future look like for West Cliff?

Part 2 explores potential coastal resilience strategies, example projects, and the tradeoffs associated with different approaches. Every option comes with tradeoffs, and your feedback will help inform the 30-Year Shoreline Adaptation and Management plans.

💬 West Cliff Community Conversation
🗓️ August 8 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
📍 Bay View Elementary School

🎥 This video was created in partnership with the UCSC Coastal Science and Policy Graduate Program. Watch: vimeo.com/1203940793

🔗 Learn more and register: santacruzca.gov/resilient-coast

This is "West Cliff - Adaptation Options" by City Santa Cruz on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

07/30/2026

🌊 West Cliff | Part 1 of 2: Existing & Future Conditions

West Cliff is one of Santa Cruz's most treasured coastal spaces, but it's also one of the areas most vulnerable to coastal erosion and sea level rise.

Watch Part 1 to learn about the existing and future conditions shaping West Cliff, then join us on August 8 to help evaluate potential coastal resilience strategies through an interactive Community Conversation.

💬 West Cliff Community Conversation
🗓️ August 8 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
📍 Bay View Elementary School

🎥 This video was created in partnership with the UCSC Coastal Science and Policy Graduate Program. Watch: vimeo.com/1203938861

🔗 Learn more and register: santacruzca.gov/resilient-coast

This is "West Cliff - Existing and Future Conditions" by City Santa Cruz on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.