By GENEVIEVE BOOKWALTER
SENTINEL STAFF WRITER

SANTA CRUZ — If you've ever stopped on West Cliff Drive, gazed at the ocean and thought, 'I wish I could check my e-mail,' that might soon become reality.

The city has joined with communities in Silicon Valley to pursue a high-speed wireless data network that would blanket 1,500 square miles, including Santa Cruz.

Whether the service would be free to residents or made available for a monthly fee, and how it would compete or work with existing Internet providers, has not been determined.

Seen here: »www.santacruzsentinel.com/archiv···ocal.htm