Nick Groff Investigates… The Lost Boys & Santa Cruz, CA!

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Nick Groff is one of the most respected names in television and beyond when it comes to the paranormal. He has had incredible experiences in some of the most haunted locations in the world. As a friend to Arrow in the Head, we’ve shared some very exciting experiences with Nick including a couple of wild and spooky moments that we’ve managed to capture on camera. Thus, we’ve decided to work with the television host and producer extraordinaire so he can share his knowledge and insight on all things that go bump in the night. With this bi-monthly column, we plan to delve into everything from urban legends to ghostly apparitions, to his take on some of the coolest genre flicks ever. This is Nick Groff Investigates…!

THE LOST BOYS & Santa Cruz, CA!

When I was a child, the idea of vampires run amock terrified in the strangest of ways. I even had a nightmare where Dracula was flying around and trying to get inside my home. Truth be told, this fear was certainly exacerbated by some of my viewing choices. I'm talking NEAR DARK, LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH (kinda Vamps), THE HUNGER, VAMP, and so much more. Yet it was a rerun of the 1979 television mini-series Salem's Lot – based on the novel by Stephen King – that put the idea of floating bloodsuckers in my sub-conscious. And that was only the beginning.

I'll never forget my first viewing of yet another kick-ass flick, one where the undead slept all day and partied all night. I'm talking THE LOST BOYS! It's the flick that helped Keifer Sutherland become one of the coolest villains of that decade, and also turned Jason Patric, Corey Feldman, Jamison Newlander, and Corey Haim into relatable heroes. This flick was beyond badass, and much of that came from the great Joel Schumacher. The visionary filmmaker managed to create a real sense of dread, with the perfect amount of rock and roll, a healthy heaping of humor, and a wonderfully engaging cast. While this flick didn't give me the nightmares that that creepy kid in King's Salem's Lot did, it perhaps helped inspire me to dye my hair blonde and wear a wicked trenchcoat hoping to be even slightly as cool as Sutherland's David.

One thing that I always loved about THE LOST BOYS, that always stood out – aside from Saxophone Guy – was the fact that it was set in Santa Cruz, California. Let's just say when they call it "the murder capital of the world" in the script, they weren't wrong. During the early Seventies, the town was cursed by the presence of two serial killers and one mass murderer. With that kind of energy, you're bound to have a few terrifying tales of the unknown. And of course, Nick Groff has been there uncovering the haunted history that has made Santa Cruz such a notable location.

Not only did Mr. Groff have a few thrilling experiences while visiting, but he also happens to be a massive Lost Boys fan. He loves the flick, and the soundtrack as well. I mean, who hasn't blasted "I Still Believe" by Tim Cappello or "Lost in the Shadows (The Lost Boys)" by Lou Gramm on their stereo? If you haven't, I highly recommend a nice long car ride with this awesome soundtrack rocking your world. This week would be a great time to revisit this classic tale, especially since many of us are rewatching some of the great Joel Schumacher classics already in honor of his passing (RIP Joel, you were a legend). And speaking of revisiting, read on and discover Nick's Santa Cruz adventures, and his love of one of the most memorable movies about vampires ever made. 

"The Lost Boys is one of my favorite films of all time. I spent a lot of time in Santa Cruz. I used to boogie board in the ocean with my uncle near the boardwalk and play arcades as a kid. I absolutely loved Santa Cruz! I didn’t watch The Lost Boys film until later in life, but it was fun to see the movie and connect my childhood memories back to certain spots on the boardwalk. The ’80s and 90’s in Cali were great times to grow up in during that part of my life. Not until later in my adulthood did I hear about Santa Cruz being labeled as a "murder capital of the world.” It’s always bizarre to hear about an area labeled in that manner when everything seemed normal as a kid. 

I filmed at different locations around Santa Cruz. There is so much history that has been embedded in the area. I want to explore more because I’ve only investigated a few places. I feel Santa Cruz and the boardwalk got popular after the films came out. My family used to hang out there and have fun on the beach. You never truly know what’s occurring, but after learning about some history and crime there’s more to the area. California is my second home, and I’m fascinated by the mystery.

There won’t be another film that will take the place of the original, The Lost Boys. Every time I step foot back on the boardwalk it’s like time traveling back to that era. If I was in The Lost Boys I would have wanted to be Jason Patric aka Michael. Being a human that transforms into a vampire sounds fun! 

And yes the best part was the saxophone player during the music scene on the boardwalk! What’s your memory of The Lost Boys and Santa Cruz, CA?!"