From the Shadows of the Boardwalk to the Soul of the California Coast
From the neon-lit tracks of the Giant Dipper to the whispers of “vampires” lurking under the pier, some cities never truly let us go. For those raised in the shadow of the Bay, Santa Cruz was always more than just a coastal retreat—it was a frontier of the imagination.
In this latest feature from the California Bureau, we explore the shifting tides of a city that remains one of the state’s greatest gifts. We trade the childhood fears of the “Lost Boys” for the adult anxiety of displacement, searching for a permanent stake in the sand where the redwoods meet the sea.
Journey with us as we rediscover the boardwalk, the wharf, and the soul of a city that has seen us grow from fearful children into nostalgic adults. This is a love letter from a lost boy who is still in love with Santa Cruz.
READ MORE: A Love Letter From a Lost Boy: Finding Home in Santa Cruz