You’ve seen him in front of 4.0 Deli while catching the bus to TJ. You’ve noticed him schmoozing with club goers inside Safari’s. His name litters fliers promoting seemingly scandalous parties and he’s glimpsed by hundreds of freshmen on their first few trips to Tijuana – and sometimes even on campus. His nickname is Hollywood Ray, and though he is best known as the club owner of TJ’s hot spot Safari’s, there is much more to him than first meets the eye.His real name is Ray Ramirez. He was born in Gilroy but grew up in Morgan Hill, both of which are in Northern California. He moved to Santa Cruz to surf when he was fairly young, living life as a surf bum. He was accepted by local Santa Cruz surfers – which as anyone from Santa Cruz knows – is quite a feat.During his time up north, Ramirez spent his time promoting bands. He worked with some well-known artists before they got big, including Alien Ant Farm, TRAPT, Papa Roach and Lonely Kinds. It was during this stint he got the nickname Hollywood Ray.At a fancy party, Ramirez dressed so well he surprised his friends, who were used to see him in typical surfer fashion. “You look like you belong in Hollywood,” they said. “Hollywood Ray with his Hollywood ways.” The name stuck, and the bands he promoted all began to know him as such. Since then, he’s built his name into a business.As a surfer, Ramirez would often take trips down to Mexico with his friends and discovered Safari’s just as it was starting out. Because they didn’t have a lot of money, Ray and his friends would give the owner surf boards as payment and bring girls they met on the beach along with them. Ramirez became fairly good friends with the owner, and shortly afterward was offered a job there.Taking that job turned out to be more lucrative than he ever imagined. He became part owner in 2002, and has since added a bus company to his credentials.The company started when he met Mshindi Ford, who ran a bus service used frequently for greek functions. Ramirez wanted to capitalize on the bus system to transport students safely to Safari’s. Today he estimates it brings 4,00 to 6,00 people a week to have fun south of the border. “The most people ever was 2,000 people for our Mardi Gras party,” Ramirez said. “Recently we transported about 1,500 people for our Naughty School Girl Party.”Ford became a good friend to Ramirez, but unfortunately he passed away last year, leaving the bus company in Ramirez’s hands. Ramirez said his friend’s death came as a shock to him, and he had to pull things together with the buses single-handedly. “He and I had a dream to conquer everything together.” As owner and promoter, Ramirez tries to be at the club as often as possible. “I go out of my way (to be down there). I don’t need to be, but I worry,” he said. “I like to see people have fun.” Ramirez said he really wishes there had been a business like his own around when he was younger. He feels it would have helped keep him and lots of others in line.Besides all the work he does with Safari’s, Ramirez also owns a heating and air conditioning company, which he runs during the week. Juggling his schedule between multiple jobs, Ramirez said he does not get much sleep – which often makes him appear irritable. Though he really loves his job, Ramirez said he uses up much of his patience dealing with college students at his club. “I have caught myself being rude to people because I am so worn out.” He said he tries to control this, but in a life in which wasted people are routine, it is difficult. Having hobbies is a challenge as well. “Being married to your business does not allow for much free time, but when given a chance I like surfing, watching movies, going out to dinner and relaxing. I have so much chaos around me all of the time that I enjoy my time alone.”