Best Acupuncture Clinic
Five Branches University
- Five Branches University gets its name from the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which seeks to maintain and restore an individual’s harmony with nature: acupuncture, herbology, Tui Na massage, energetics, and Chinese dietary medicine.
- Many of Five Branches’ practitioners were educated and trained in China at prestigious TCM colleges and hospitals.
- Recognized as one of the nation’s top TCM schools, Five Branches University provides high levels of professional education and health care in Traditional Chinese Medicine and integrative medicine at their two locations, one in Santa Cruz and one in San Jose.
- They have study-abroad programs for students wishing to travel to Asia and learn about TCM from the source. Programs include earning a PhD at the Five Branches sister schools in Hangzhou, Tianjin and Shenyang, China.
- They offer a variety of specialty educational programs, including nationally accredited Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine programs.
Best Cannabis Dispensary
KindPeoples
- Santa Cruz’s first state-legal dispensary, and the first to get eight of 20 state licenses issued by the Bureau of Cannabis Control. Also the largest dispensary in Santa Cruz.
- First dispensary to offer a legal and stylish delivery system (via Volkswagen van!) in an effort to increase cannabis access to those with disabilities and transportation issues.
- KindPeoples is currently relocating their retail license from DuBois Street to Ocean Street, citing the desire for a more community-centered location closer to downtown Santa Cruz.
- Their locations now include express checkout self-service kiosks to expedite and simplify the check out process.
- Home to the biggest genetics department in the Monterey Bay, the collective also boasts one of the largest and most diverse seed stocks in California.
Best Dentist
Alana Thompson, DDS
- Originally from New England, Dr. Thompson came to UC San Francisco for dental school and never left the Bay Area.
- Dr. Thompson says that since there are many people who don’t get the dental health care they need, she makes a point to donate a portion of her time and skills. Last year, her son and hygienist travelled to Baja to provide care at orphanages.
- She took up outrigger paddling about five years ago. It’s her favorite way to exercise and enjoy the ocean, and she loves working in sync with a small crew to gain speed and explore the coast and the wildlife.
- Dr. Thompson’s practice, Seabright Dental Studio, recently added a laser that allows them to provide many dental procedures without getting numb (no needles), and without the sound and feel of the dental drill.
- She and her family are big fans of Dr. Who and music—and she sometimes hums or sings in the office.
Best Gym
Toadal Fitness
- Opened its doors in March 1996 in Downtown Santa Cruz, and has since expanded across the county to the Westside, Aptos, Live Oak, and Scotts Valley.
- Originally named Frog Fitness, the husband-and-wife owners had to change the original name after receiving legal threats from Frog Athletics Club in San Diego.
- The name was chosen mostly because the owners are French (the English used to poke at the French by calling them “frogs” during World War II), and because “Frog” and “Fitness” sounded good together.
- Prides itself on being a friendly, comfortable and completely normal place to work out for people from all walks of life. Their motto is: a little bit of exercise (not too much) goes a long way.
- Toadal Fitness offers a number of classes throughout the week, from group cycling to precision cross training, body sculpt, power core, and many more.
Acupuncturist
Craig Sakimoto
317 Potrero St. Suite C, Santa Cruz,
425-9500, santacruzcore.com
RUNNERS-UP Adrianna Gonzalez, Maureen Rozenn
Acupuncture Clinic
Five Branches University
200 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 476-9424, fivebranches.edu
RUNNER-UP Flux Acupuncture Lounge
Bike Shop
Bicycle Trip
1001 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-2580, bicycletrip.com
RUNNERS-UP Family Cycling Center, Spokesman
Cannabis Dispensary
KindPeoples
140 Dubois St. Ste. C, Santa Cruz, 824-6200;
3600 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 471-8562, kindpeoples.org
RUNNERS-UP Treehouse, Santa Cruz Naturals
Cannabis Edibles
KindPeoples
140 Dubois St. Ste. C, Santa Cruz;
3600 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 471-8562, kindpeoples.org
RUNNERS-UP Treehouse, Santa Cruz Naturals
Chiropractor
Dr. Rhodes Walton
317 Potrero St. Suite C, Santa Cruz, 425-9500, santacruzcore.com
RUNNERS-UP Dr. Masi Bayless, Dr. Duncan McCollum
Crossfit Studio
Seabright Crossfit
1619 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 566-4263, seabrightcrossfit.com
RUNNERS-UP Crossfit Santa Cruz, Crossfit West
Dentist
Alana Thompson, DDS
1016 Soquel Ave. #2, Santa Cruz, 431-6477, seabrightdental.com
RUNNERS-UP Kevin Ippisch, DDS; Roopa Pai, DDS
Doctor (MD)
Rachel Abrams, MD
740 Front St., Santa Cruz, 465-9088, santacruzintegrativemedicine.com
RUNNERS-UP Karen Harrington, MD; Steven Leib, MD
Doctor (ND)
Juli Mazi, ND
2840 Park Ave. Ste. A, Soquel, 515-8699, thrivenatmed.com/naturopathic-doctor–juli–mazi
RUNNERS-UP Tonya Fleck, ND; Aimée Gould Shunney, ND
Esthetician
Hazel Chadwick @ The Nook
1543 Pacific Ave. #215, Santa Cruz, 295-6233, thenook.us
RUNNERS-UP Sue Bell @ Simply Skin Esthetics, Veronica Franco @ La Raux
Golf Course
DeLaveaga
401 Upper Park Rd., Santa Cruz, 423-7214, delaveagagolf.com
RUNNERS-UP Pasatiempo, Seascape
Gym
Toadal Fitness
113 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, 423-3764;
1200 17th Ave. #108, Santa Cruz, 464-3764;
6200 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 475-5979;
2929 Mission St. Extension, Santa Cruz, 466-3764;
269 Mount Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley, 430-9200, toadalfitness.com
RUNNERS-UP In-Shape, Santa Cruz Core
Martial Arts
Sanford’s Martial Arts
4626 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 475-9676, sanfordskarate.com
RUNNERS-UP Billy Bad Ass Cardio Kickboxing, Kaijin Mixed Martial Arts
Massage Therapist
Cala Remick
317 Potrero St. Suite C, Santa Cruz, 425-9500, santacruzcore.com
RUNNERS-UP Jenny Call, Gemma Depolo
Nutritionist
Jaimi Jansen @ Santa Cruz CORE Fitness
317 Potrero St. Suite C, Santa Cruz, 425-9500, santacruzcore.com
RUNNERS-UP Jocelyn Dubin @ Nourish, The Healthy Way
Orthodontist
Mark Joiner
1773 Dominican Way, Santa Cruz, 475-5500, joinerortho.com
RUNNERS-UP John A. Hedrick, North Coast Orthodontics
Outdoor Store
Outdoor World
1440 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-1501;
136 River St., Santa Cruz, 423-9555, theoutdoorworld.com
RUNNERS-UP Down Works, Patagonia
Personal Trainer
Carina Reid
ca*****@ym***.com
, fuelphitness.com
RUNNERS-UP Beau Jansen @ Santa Cruz CORE Fitness, Jason Lenington @ Toadal Fitness
Vitamin/Supplements
Staff of Life
1266 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8632, staffoflifemarket.com
RUNNERS-UP Max Muscle Nutrition, New Leaf Community Markets
Pilates
Agile Monkey Pilates Studio
121 Walnut Ave, Santa Cruz, 458-4125, agilemonkey.net
RUNNERS-UP Hot Yoga Aptos, Pleasure Point Pilates
Running Store
Fleet Feet
7960 Soquel Drive Suite I, Aptos, 662-0886, fleetfeetaptos.com
RUNNER-UP Santa Cruz Running Company
Sailing Charter
Chardonnay
790 Mariner Park Way, Dock FF, Santa Cruz, 423-1213, chardonnay.com
RUNNERS-UP O’Neill Yacht Charters, Lighthall Yacht Charters
Skate Park
Derby Skate Park
508 Woodland Way, Santa Cruz
RUNNERS-UP Mike Fox, Skypark
Skate Shop
Bill’s Wheels
1240 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 469-0904, billswheels.com
RUNNERS-UP Boardroom, Skateworks
Snowboard/Skiing
Helm of Sun Valley
1408 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-6800, helmofsunvalley.com
RUNNER-UP Play It Again Sports
Spa (pampering)
Well Within Spa
417 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 458-9355, wellwithinspa.com
RUNNERS-UP Caress Day Spa, Chaminade Resort & Spa
Spa (soaking)
Well Within Spa
417 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 458-9355, wellwithinspa.com
RUNNERS-UP Tea House Spa, Sage Float Spa
Sporting Goods
Play It Again Sports
4770 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 475-1988, playitagainsports-soquel.com
RUNNERS-UP O’Neill, Outdoor World
Stand-up Paddleboard
SUP Shack
2214 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 464-7467, supshacksantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Capitola Surf & Paddle, Covewater
Surf School
Club Ed
2350 Paul Minnie Ave., Santa Cruz, 464-0177, club-ed.com
Richard Schmidt
849 Almar Ave., Box 192, Santa Cruz, 423-0928, richardschmidt.com
RUNNERS-UP Capitola Surf & Paddle, Surf School Santa Cruz
Surf Shop
O’Neill
110 Cooper St. #100D, Santa Cruz, 469-4377;
400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, 459-9230;
1115 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-4151, oneill.com
RUNNERS-UP Freeline, Pacific Wave
Surf Spot
Pleasure Point
RUNNERS-UP Cowell’s, Steamer Lane
Swim School
Adventure Sports
303 Potrero St. #15, Santa Cruz, 458-3648, asudoit.com
RUNNERS-UP Jim Booth, Simpkins Family Swim Center
Therapist
Emmanuel Denike
RUNNERS-UP Lucie Hemmen, Nina Kelly
Yoga Instructor
Hannah Muse
hannahmuseyoga.com
RUNNERS-UP Laurie Broderick-Burr, Nicole Duke
Yoga Studio
Hot Yoga Aptos
7960 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 661-5030, hotyogaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Breath & Oneness, Luma Yoga
