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The Guide I'VE LIVED IN SANTA CRUZ LONG ENOUGH TO REMEMBER WHEN Democrats favored impeachment, Republicans believed in executive privilege and UCSC students lived in trailers. And yet, every once and a while I stumble across a neighborhood, a landmark, a business that I never knew existed. Even constrained by some natural borders, Santa Cruz continues to grow--in size, in traffic and in interest. After all, if this weren't such a fascinating place, 3/2 fixer-uppers with a peek of the ocean wouldn't be selling for $400,000. For this year's Guide, we've asked our Metro Santa Cruz experts to share their years of accumulated local lore and knowledge. Bruce Bratton, who is as close to an official griot as Santa Cruz can boast, starts off with some thoughts about where we've been and where we're going. Our crack team of insiders follow with the kind of tips that can't be found at even the best tourist kiosks. To make the experience complete, we've added the last and most accurate three-month calendar of the 20th century. Of course, no guide to a place as rich and weird as Santa Cruz County could be complete, so we hope you'll share your own tips with us on our letters page. --Michael S. Gant Contents Bruce Bratton's Santa Cruz: Secrets and History How to Catch a Wave: Surfing in Santa Cruz How to Stay Rooted: Cultural Heritage Organizations Where to Dine Round Midnight: Late-night Eats How to Get the Point: Piercing Parlors How to Get Nekkid: Nudist Colonies, Topless Beaches and Spas How to Know It All Ahead of Time: Psychics and Fortunetellers Where to Get Funky on the Westside: The Almar/Mission Miracle Where to Get It All on One Block: Soquel and Branciforte's Bounty How to Geek Out: Comic-book stores Where the Brownies Are: Finding the Chocolate Fix How to Get a Buzz Roasted on the Spot: Cafes That Do It Themselves How to Get a Gig: What Every Band Needs to Know How to Kick Ass: Martial Arts Classes in Santa Cruz What, When and Where: A Three-month Calendar of Concerts, Plays and Events Credits Words: Bruce Bratton, Janet Blaser, Traci Hukill, Matt Koumaras, Kelly Luker, Ami Chen Mills, Morgan Pershing, Rob Pratt, Mary Spicuzza, John Yewell and Christina Waters Design and Production: Marty Stevens and Shannon Stillman Images: George Sakkestad [ Santa Cruz | MetroActive Central | Archives ]