This issue features a compelling collection of articles that celebrate the rich cultural, sporting, and entrepreneurial landscape of the Santa Cruz region. This issue vividly captures the dynamic and eclectic spirit of Santa Cruz by showcasing its prominent local businesses and community events that embody the region’s rich surf and countercultural heritage. Highlights include profiles of world-class women surfers from Monterey Bay—Kim Mayer, Jane “The Lane” McKenzie, Hailey and Sierra Partridge, Sahara Ray, and Sara Gerhardt—who continue to define and elevate the area’s legendary surf culture. The issue also features an intimate look at a historic home on Depot Hill in Capitola and explores the unique character of the towns of Davenport and Felton, both steeped in coastal and small-town traditions. Celebrating the enduring influence of the 1960s counterculture, the issue pays homage to The Merry Pranksters, whose colorful adventures epitomize the region’s free-spirited legacy, and the iconic Hip Pocket Bookstore, a longtime cultural hub and gathering place for local artists, activists, and thinkers. Together, these stories illuminate the vibrant tapestry of Santa Cruz’s surf scene and hippie ethos, reflecting a community deeply connected to its coastal roots and progressive spirit.