Lilac hibiscus (Alyogyne huegelii "Santa Cruz"). This evergreen shrub grows to 6 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. The flowers are singly in leaf axils and hold large light blue petals. The ...

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The surfers were loving it. A set of waves was breaking Sunday just offshore from the main beach in this college town known for its mountain biking, laid-back atmosphere and ...

The Wharf, a public pier, is home to several restaurants in Santa Cruz, about 70 miles south of San Francisco. The pier was evacuated and closed to all emergency responders just after 1 p.m.