APTOS — A yearslong legal battle between Santa Cruz County and a group of private homeowners in Rio Del Mar over who has the right to a beachside walkway appears to have reached the end of its road.

APTOS — Beach homeowners who claimed a walkway as private patio space suffered a legal blow as a California appellate court affirmed Santa Cruz County’s right to make the path open to the public.

Vivian “Viv” Neasham, 40-year resident of Rio del Mar’s Beach Island and founder of the landmark Pixie Plaza Deli, passed away December 29, 2024, at a care home in La Selva Beach. Viv was 92 years old ...