Santa Cruz recently hosted Surfing America Prime Series. The best under-18 amateur surfers in the world competed for a spot on the national team.

On October 20, a new smoking ban will go into effect, expanding the realm of prohibition. Smoking will not be tolerated in a number of outdoor areas, including city parks, Pacific Avenue, Beach Street and West Cliff Drive, as well as smoking within 25 feet of any door or window of city buildings open to the public.