.Best of Santa Cruz County 2022: Shopping & Services

The best hotel, produce, toy store and more

Best Bank

Santa Cruz County Bank

Santa Cruz County Bank focuses on helping local businesses and individuals.

1. SCCB has been a local community bank for 18 years.
2. Community banks are regional in size and only operate in California.
3. It recently expanded into Monterey County and plans to open a branch in Salinas by the end of the year.
4. Through its work with the Payroll Protection Program, SCCB distributed over $573.7 million during the pandemic and saved 50,000 jobs.
5. Customers are greeted by security guard Jose Rodriguez, one of the most upbeat people in Santa Cruz.

Best Bookshop

Bookshop Santa Cruz

1. A family-owned business since 1973, Bookshop has survived earthquakes, flooding, fires and a pandemic. Independent bookstores are on the upswing but only survive through community support.
2. During quarantine, Bookshop delivered books on the sidewalk to customers who ordered ahead of time.
3. Its most recent bestsellers are Burning Questions by Margaret Atwood and All About Love, bell hooks’ final novel.
4. Event Director Chorel Centers’ current favorite books are Groundskeeping by Lee Cole and My Body by Emily Ratajkowski.
5. At the info desk, there is an emotional-support stuffed animal named Norbert Krunchbucket.

Best Furniture Store

SC41

1. SC41 opened on 41st Avenue in 2008.
2. It takes pride in exceptional customer service and well-trained staff.
3. Owner Michael Baetge says he saw a “pickup in sales” during the pandemic, especially when it came to furniture built for comfort.
4. SC41 avoided many of the supply-chain problems that other furniture retailers faced during the pandemic—it doesn’t rely on China (where many factories shut down) or the U.S. southeast (where freak storms leveled the only two factories producing foam) for materials.
5. The space has been a furniture store since the 1960s and used to be home to the legendary Daffy Don’s.

Best Green Retailer

Ethos

1. Meredith Keet owns the low-waste living shop and “refillery.”
2. After Keet’s family traveled around the world for a year, seeing first-hand the harmful effects of plastic pollution worldwide, they were inspired to make a positive change back home.
3. Customers, aka “first responders for earth,” look for eco-friendly items that help reduce climate change.
4. Shampoo and conditioner are Ethos‘ best-selling items.
5. Keet sources everything, and almost all items are made in North America.
6. Ethos’ goal: a shopping experience that sparks interest and inspiration to make positive changes.

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Adult Store

Camouflage 

1329 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-7613, shop-camouflage.com
RUNNERS-UP Frenchy’s, Good Vibrations

Alternative Health Services

Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine 

740 Front St., Unit 130, Santa Cruz, 465-9088, santacruzintegrativemedicine.com
RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz Naturopathic Medical Center, The Healthy Way

Antiques

Center Street Antiques

3010 Center St., Soquel, 477-9211, centerstreetantiques.com
RUNNERS-UP Attilia’s Antiques, Santa Cruz Antique Fair

Arts and Crafts

Palace Art & Office Supply 

1501 41st Ave., Capitola, 464-2700, stores.gopalace.com
RUNNERS-UP Lenz Arts, Beverly’s Fabrics & Crafts 

Auto Dealer 

Toyota of Santa Cruz

4200 Auto Plaza Drive, Capitola, 462-4200, santacruztoyota.com
RUNNERS-UP Subaru of Santa Cruz, Ocean Honda 

-Auto Dealer – Watsonville

Chevrolet of Watsonville

490 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, 536-4002, chevroletofwatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Ford, Watsonville Cadillac Buick GMC

Auto Repair

Specialized Auto

2415 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-3458, specializedautos.com
RUNNERS-UP Rusty’s Repair, Chandler Automotive Repair

Bank (Local, Non-Credit Union)

Santa Cruz County Bank 

7775 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-6000; 819 Bay Ave., Capitola, 464-5300; 75 River St., Santa Cruz, 457-5000; 2020 North Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-4000, 4604 Scotts Valley Drive # 10, Scotts Valley, 461-5000; 595 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, 761-7600; sccountybank.com

Bank (Credit Union)

Bay Federal Credit Union

3333 Clares St., Capitola; 48 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos; 2028 Freedom Blvd., Freedom; 420 River St., Santa Cruz; 255 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley; 1481 Main St., Watsonville; 479-6000, bayfed.com
RUNNER-UP Santa Cruz Community Credit Union

Barbershop

Get Faded Barbershop

907 Cedar St., #3801, Santa Cruz,  600-8958, getfadedsc.com
RUNNERS-UP Waves & Fades, Guidos Barbershop

Boat Tour

Chardonnay Sailing Charters

790 Mariner Park Way, Dock FF, Santa Cruz, 423-1213, chardonnay.com
RUNNERS-UP O’Neill Yacht Charters, Stagnaro Charter Boats

Bookshop (New)

Bookshop Santa Cruz 

1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-0900, bookshopsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Two Birds, Kelly’s Books

Bookshop (Used)

Bookshop Santa Cruz 

1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-0900, bookshopsantacruz.com
RUNNER-UP Two Birds, Bad Animal  

Butcher

Shopper’s Corner 

622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP El Salchichero, Point Butcher Shop

Car Wash

Whalers Car Wash 

2001 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-0676, whalerscarwash.com
RUNNERS-UP Cruz Car Wash, Scotts Valley Car Wash

Carpet Cleaning

Connoisseur

476-9721, santacruzclean.com
RUNNERS-UP Quality Carpet Care, Aptos Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Children’s Day Care

Simcha Preschool

3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, 479-3449, simchapreschool.org
RUNNERS-UP Happy Days Children’s Learning Center, Capitola Child Care

Computer Repair

Click Away 

303 Potrero St., Santa Cruz, 420-1200, clickaway.com
RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Point Computers, User-Friendly Computing

Consignment Clothing

The Closet Shopper 

1203 41st Ave., Capitola, 476-1565, theclosetshoppersantacruz.com
RUNNER-UP Jet Set Bohemian, Crossroads Trading Co. 

Contractor

Elite Construction Services 

225 Ocean View Ave., Santa Cruz, 234-5052, discoverelite.com
RUNNERS-UP Testorff Construction, Bill Hees

Crystals/Rocks/Stones

Mountain Spirit  

6299 Highway 9, Felton, 335-7700, mountainspiritstore.com 
RUNNERS-UP World of Stones and Mystics, Serpent’s Kiss 

Custom Framing

York Framing Gallery

619 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-0313, yorkframinggallery.com
RUNNERS-UP Lenz Arts, Frame Circus

Dry Cleaners

Classic Vapor

285 Water St., Santa Cruz, 423-4646; 809 Bay Ave., Capitola, 479-0650
RUNNERS-UP Master Cleaners, Almar Cleaners

Eyewear

EyeQ

1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 466-3937, eyeqsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Plaza Lane Optometry, Site for Sore Eyes

Fabric

Harts Fabric

1620 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-5434, hartsfabric.com
RUNNERS-UP Beverly’s Fabrics & Crafts, Santa Cruz Sew & Vac

Feed Store

Aptos Feed & Pet Supply

7765 Soquel Drive, Ste. C, Aptos, 685-3333, facebook.com/AptosFeedAndPetSupply
RUNNERS-UP Mountain Feed & Farm Supply, Westside Farm and Feed

Financial Planner

Alison McClure-Ohana Wealth Management

2901 Park Ave., Ste. B1, Soquel, 216-5519, ohanawealthmanagement.net
RUNNERS-UP Jacob Young, Rachel Wedeen

Flooring

Bay Area Floors

2617 41st Ave., Soquel, 662-3000, bay-area-floors.com
RUNNERS-UP Samaya’s Eco Flooring, Haltom Hardwood 

Flower Shop

The Flower Shack

614 S. Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-3877, flowershacksc.com
RUNNERS-UP Ace’s Flowers, Susi’s Flowers

Furniture

SC41 Furniture

2701 41st Ave., Soquel, 464-2228, sc41.com
RUNNERS-UP Illuminée, Couch Potato Discount Sofa Warehouse 
SC41 Furniture opened in 2008, and takes pride in its exceptional customer service.

Garden Supply/Nursery 

San Lorenzo Garden Center

235 River St., Santa Cruz, 423-0223, sanlorenzolumber.com/garden-center
RUNNERS-UP Dig Gardens, Bonny Doon Garden Company 

Gift Shop

Zinnia’s Gift Boutique 

Graham Plaza, 219 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 430-9466, zinniasgiftboutique.com
RUNNERS-UP Dig Gardens, Botanic & Luxe

Green Retailer 

Ethos 

101 Capitola Ave., Capitola, 854-2490, ethossantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Staff of Life, Dig Gardens 
Shampoo and conditioner are among Ethos‘ best-selling items.

Grocery Store (Local)

Shopper’s Corner

622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP Staff of Life, New Leaf Community Markets

Grocery Store (Natural)

Staff of Life

1266 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8632; 906 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, 726-0240; staffoflifemarket.com 
RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Markets, Wild Roots Market

Hair Salon

The Nook

920 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 295-6233
RUNNERS-UP Salon Santa Cruz, Urban Groove Hair Salon 

Hardware Store

Ace Hardware

1214 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-2222; 72 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 662-0222; 849 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7650
RUNNERS-UP San Lorenzo Lumber & Home Centers, Outdoor Supply Hardware  

Headshop

PipeLine

1130 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7473
RUNNERS-UP 831 Smoke Shop, Star Zone Smoke Shop

Home Decorating

Botanic and Luxe 

701 Front St., Santa Cruz, 515-7710, botanicandluxe.com
RUNNERS-UP Dig Gardens, Warmth Company

Hotel

Dream Inn  

175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 740-8069, dreaminnsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Hotel Paradox, Chaminade Resort & Spa

House Cleaner

Maxima’s Cleaners

520 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 430-8499, facebook.com/maximascleaners1
RUNNERS-UP First Class Cleaning Agency, Dynamic House Cleaning

House Painter

Jesse Gullings

609-6213, jgpaint.com
RUNNERS-UP Andson Painting Inc., Brent Pepe Lopez

Hydroponic Supplier

The Grow Biz

2450 17th Ave., Ste. 100, Santa Cruz, 475-9900, thegrowbiz.com
RUNNERS-UP Harbor Marine

Insurance 

Chris Buich, State Farm 

2222 E. Cliff Drive, Ste. 200, Santa Cruz, 464-4300
RUNNER-UP AAA Capitola/Santa Cruz Branch, Farmers Insurance

Jewelry

Dell Williams  

1320 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-4100, dellwilliams.com
RUNNERS-UP Mountainside Handmade Jewelry, Super Silver Santa Cruz, Mark Areias Jewelers 

Jewelry Repair

Dell Williams 

1320 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-4100, dellwilliams.com
RUNNERS-UP John’s Jewelers, Stephan’s Fine Jewelry

Kids’ Clothing

Mini Mint 

808 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-8587, minimintstudio.com
RUNNERS-UP Hopscotch, Hope’s Closet

Kitchen Store

Toque Blanche 

1527 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-1351, mytoque.com
RUNNERS-UP Outside-In, 831 Kitchens Baths Design and Accessories

Landscaper

Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping

425-3514, terranovalandscaping.com
RUNNERS-UP K&D Landscaping

Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair and Skin Solutions

783 Rio Del Mar Blvd. #71b, Aptos, 689-9830
RUNNERS-UP Aptos Medical Arts, Rejuvenate Medi-Spa & Wellness

Lawyer

Fine Point Law

113 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 471-5293, finepointlaw.com
RUNNERS-UP Dina C. Hoffman, Lee Ann Shenkman

Life Coach

Camille Ellis

yourcoachcamille.com
RUNNERS-UP Sandy Jacquard, Healthy Way

Lighting

Riverside Lighting & Electric

300 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-7411, riversidelightingandelectric.com
RUNNERS-UP Illuminée, Om Gallery

Lingerie

Camouflage  

1329 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-7613, shopcamouflage.com
RUNNERS-UP Amoureuse, Romantic Nights For Two  

Mani/Pedi

Tracy’s Nails

1440 41st Ave., Capitola, 462-2292, tracysnailspa.com
RUNNERS-UP Opal Spa & Boutique, Red Carpet Salon  

Massage School

Cypress Health Institute School of Massage 

1119 Pacific Ave., #300, Santa Cruz, 476-2115, cypresshealthinstitute.com
RUNNER-UP Five Branches University, Jasmine Flower Spa 

Men’s Clothing

Patrick James

7538 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-2105, patrickjames.com
RUNNERS-UP Berdels, Realm

Men’s Shoes

Sockshop & Shoe Company 

1515 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6101, sockshopandshoeco.com
RUNNERS-UP Patrick James, Beck’s Shoes

Mortgage Brokerage

Santa Cruz Lending Group

2425 Porter St. # 13, Soquel, 257-0111, santacruzlendinggroup.com
RUNNERS-UP Jeri Skipper Financial Solutions Home Loans, Brett Blevins

Music Instruction

MusicalMe

239 High St., Santa Cruz, 332-9002, musicalme.com
RUNNERS-UP Be Natural Music, Cabrillo College

Musical Instruments

Sylvan Music

1521 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 427-1917, sylvanmusic.com
RUNNERS-UP The Starving Musician, Jansen Music 

Outdoor Furniture Dealer

American Leisure Company

1118 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, 423-2425, americanleisurepatio.com
RUNNERS-UP Illuminée, Dig Gardens

Pet Grooming

Bed & Biscuits/Groomingdales

2625 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-1580, bedandbiscuits.com
RUNNERS-UP Earthwise, Paradise Pet Salon

Pet Sitting

Bed & Biscuits/Groomingdales

2625 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-1580, bedandbiscuits.com
RUNNERS-UP Woofpack, Robin’s Nest Pet Care

Pet Store

Pet Pals

3660 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 464-8775, epetpals.com
RUNNERS-UP Aptos Feed & Pet Supply, Petshop Santa Cruz 

Pharmacy

Frank’s Pharmacy   

7548 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 685-1100, franksrx.com
RUNNERS-UP Horsnyder, Westside Pharmacy

Photo Developing

Bay Photo Lab

715 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1100; 2959 Park Ave., Soquel, 475-6090; 920 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, 475-6686, bayphoto.com
RUNNER-UP Weber Goldsmith Gallery

Piercing Studio

Amory Body Arts

1720 Brommer St., Santa Cruz, 600-7801, amorybodyarts.com
RUNNERS-UP Staircase Tattoo, Black Pearl

Plumbing Company

Expert Plumbing

2551 S. Rodeo Gulch Road, Ste. 7, Soquel, 316-7338, expertplumbingca.com
RUNNERS-UP Bellows Plumbing Heating & Air, Duncan Plumbing

Portrait Photographer

Devi Pride  

1060 River St., Studio #103, Santa Cruz, 600-6055, devipridephotography.com
RUNNERS-UP Kendra Stone-Hinds, Jana Marcus

Pre-Owned Auto Dealer

Argus

905 Water St., Santa Cruz, 457-1900, thearguscompany.com
RUNNERS-UP Auto One, Santa Cruz Motors

Produce

Santa Cruz County Farmers’ Markets

RUNNERS-UP Staff of Life, Sunnyside Produce

Real Estate Agency

Sereno Group – Santa Cruz

720 Front St., Santa Cruz, 460-1100, sereno.com
RUNNERS-UP David Lyng & Associates, Sol Property Advisors

Real Estate Agent

Lauren Spencer – Coldwell Banker

818-3723, coldwellbankerhomes.com
RUNNERS-UP Shemeika Fox – eXp Realtor, Thomas Brezsny – Sereno Group

Real Estate Team

Sereno Brezsny Associates

720 Front St., Santa Cruz, 818-1431, brezsnyballantyne.com
RUNNERS-UP Kroft & Hulsey Team, My Santa Cruz Real Estate

Record/CD Store

Streetlight Records  

939 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 421-9200, streetlightrecords.com
RUNNER-UP MetaVinyl, Grey Bears

Roofers

Daddario Roofing 

930-4445, daddarioroofing.com
RUNNERS-UP Turk The Roofer, Knox Roofing

Seafood (Market)

H&H Fresh Fish 

439 Lake Ave. #A, Santa Cruz, 462-3474, hhfreshfish.com
RUNNERS-UP The Fish Lady, Stagnary Bros

Senior Home Care

Safe at Home Senior Care

820 Bay Ave., Ste. 101, Capitola, 462-3500, safeathomeseniorcare.com
RUNNERS-UP Lifespan Care Management, Aegis Living Aptos

Senior Residential Community

Dominican Oaks

3400 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, 462-6257, dominicanoaks.com
RUNNERS-UP Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

Solar Company

Alterra

207-B McPherson St., Santa Cruz, 425-2608, allterrasolar.com
RUNNERS-UP Sandbar, Solar Technologies

Tattoo Studio

Heavy Water Tattoo 

22606 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 854-7849, heavywatertattoo.com
RUNNERS-UP Good Omen Tattoo, F U Tattoo

Thrift Store

Goodwill

2550 41st Ave., Capitola, 462-1300; 204 Union St., Santa Cruz, 423-1078; 224 Mount Hermon Road, 430-9029; 470 Main St., Watsonville, 722-2376; ccgoodwill.org
RUNNERS-UP The Abbot’s Thrift, Caroline’s Thrift Store

Tires

Lloyd’s Tires

303 River St., Santa Cruz, 219-4122; 311 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz, 346-1897; 5310 Scotts Valley Drive, Unit C, Scotts Valley, 777-5711; lloydstire.com
RUNNERS-UP Big O, Pasillas

Toy Store (Kids)

Wonderland Toys 

19 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 316-7261, wonderlandsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Childish, Mini Mint

Veterinarian

Adobe Animal Hospital of Soquel

1600 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-5293, adobevets.com
RUNNERS-UP McConnell Veterinary Service, Scotts Valley Veterinary Clinic

Video Game Shop

Level Up

113 Locust St., Santa Cruz, 295-6329
RUNNERS-UP Gamestop, Hadbro Toys

Vintage Clothing

Moon Zoom

813 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8500, facebook.com/moonzooom
RUNNERS-UP Tomboy, Little Red Door

Waxing

The Skin Bar

500 Soquel Ave., Ste. A, 295-1277, facebook.com/TheSkinBarSC
RUNNERS-UP European Wax Center, Simply Skin Esthetics 

Women’s Clothing

Pacific Trading Company

1224 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-3349; 504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 476-6109
RUNNERS-UP Amber Moon Boutique, Stripe

Women’s Shoes

Sockshop & Shoe Company

1515 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6101, sockshopandshoeco.com
RUNNERS-UP Bunny’s Shoes, Shoe Fetish

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