This guide is part of Explore Santa Cruz 2020.
Antiques
After Effects
4920 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 831-475-5991
Anyone who appreciates beauty can treat themselves to paintings and prints, while bookworms can indulge their thirst for knowledge. Collectors of kitchenware won’t want to leave without adding a new dish to their collection.
Center Street Antiques
3010 Center St., Soquel, 831-477-9211, centerstreetantiques.com
A one-stop gathering of 25 antique dealers, Center Street Antiques features an eclectic mix of interesting and one-of-a-kind items.
Loot
3011 Main St., Soquel, 831-471-8755, lootvintage.blogspot.com
Find vintage items for your home and garden here, or take advantage of their workshops on chalk painting with Annie Sloan, where you’ll learn how to use the magic paint for furniture and other household items.
Town and Country Antiques
9280 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond, 831-336-5993
A great selection of lovely stained-glass lamps and antique documents of all sorts, including pictures, ads and stock certificates.
Wisteria Antiques and Design
5870 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 831-462-2900, wisteriaantiques.net
Wisteria is a direct importer of French antiques and accessories.
Art Galleries
Art du Jour
7 Squid Row, Santa Cruz, 831-621-0672, artdujour.org
Art du Jour is a working art space featuring a monthly theme that ties in daily classes and weekly workshops. Visit the gallery to experience local art. Drop in for a class, leave with original artwork. Evening events in the summer, per website schedule.
Artisans Gallery/Agency
1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-8183, artisanssantacruz.com
Wall art, jewelry, glass, ceramic, metal work, and various other handcrafted pieces of art—both functional and decorative—can be found at this downtown gallery, as well as lifestyle accessories, home goods and handcrafted furniture.
R. Blitzer Gallery
2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 831-458-1217, rblitzergallery.com
Renovated warehouse gallery on the Westside of town that features local and regional artists.
Tannery Arts Center
1050 River St., #118, Santa Cruz, 831-621-6226, tanneryartscenter.org
Expanding every year, what began as the union between the city of Santa Cruz and ArtSpace Projects has transcended the Tannery’s mission of an accessible and sustainable home for local artists. The Tannery has blossomed into a haven for art, culture and education for residents, visitors and the public.
Bookshops
Bad Animal
1011 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 831-900-5031, badanimalbooks.com
Where to begin? This independent bookstore, focusing on used rare, fine press books, is also a wine bar and restaurant featuring natural wines and seasonal California-French cuisine.
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-0900, bookshopsantacruz.com
It’s famous for so many things—first and foremost, of course, books. This venerable local bookstore is, without a doubt, one of the best and most innovative not just in the Bay Area, but the entire country. Going strong now since 1966, it has survived an earthquake, competitive chain stores and economic downturns. There’s a vast selection of books here, plus a full roster of author events and other community happenings throughout the year.
Frenchy’s Cruzin Books & Video
3960 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, 831-475-9221
This adult superstore sells adult books and videos, lacy unmentionables, sex toys and more.
Clothing/shoes
Amoureuse
1119 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-7363
If you’re looking for a stylish boutique with nourishing body products, accessories, elegant lingerie, classic perfumes, artistic jewelry, and unique gifts, this is the place to shop.
Bunny’s Shoes
1350 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-3824; 7000 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 831-662-2730
Looking for lipstick-red shoes with platform heels, or something just plain old comfortable? Bunny’s has a fine selection. The store always has a great sales rack outside as well. Bunny’s in Aptos has a whole line of lovely hats, plus much more.
Camouflage
1329 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-7613, shopcamouflage.com
Camouflage is a very sexy store! It carries a variety of fine lingerie, sexy clothing and intimate apparel, not to mention a wide array of sex toys. This adult store has been thriving for more than 30 years and is the perfect spot to find that seductive massage oil you’ve been looking for.
Eco Goods
1130 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-429-5758, ecogoods.com
Environmentally friendly store specializing in organic cotton, hemp and bamboo clothing, as well as body care products, children’s toys, home goods, and more.
Fybr Bamboo
1528 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-3927, shopfybr.com
What started as a recognition of the comfort and sustainability of bamboo clothing has evolved into a store that offers a variety of eco-friendly and stylish clothing, plus luxuriously soft bedding as well as locally made jewelry.
Jill Alexander Designs
221 Mt. Hermon Road, Suite E, Scotts Valley, 831-431-6092, jillalexanderdesigns.com
Independent fashion designer specializes in boho chic, contemporary and trendy women’s clothing for all sizes.
Mmē
910 B Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-216-6366, mme.ltd
High-end clothing and accessories for women who are looking for timeless staples that they will love wearing. Items are carefully curated for comfort and versatility.
O’My Sole
1339 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-466-3700, omysole.com
In its new, larger space, O’My Sole has an enormous variety of the comfortable, the beautiful and the desirable—shoes for every kind of foot. O’My Sole will tug at your heartstrings (and maybe your purse strings).
O’Neill Surf Shop
400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, 831-459-9230; 110 Cooper St. # D, Santa Cruz, 831-469-4377; 1115 41st Ave., Capitola, 831-475-4151, oneill.com
Legendary clothing and gear for surfing and skating.
Pacific Trading Co.
1224 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-3349; 504 C Bay Ave., Capitola, 831-476-6109, pacific-trading-co.com
This shop has won the GT Readers’ Poll award for Best Women’s Clothing many years in a row. The family-run women’s contemporary boutique also takes pride in customer service.
Rip Curl Santa Cruz
753 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-464-3233, ripcurl.com
All the apparel and gear for time at the beach.
Shoe Fetish
7542 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 831-688-6500
For the Carrie Bradshaw in all of us, the perfect place to indulge a true love for shoes. (And bags.)
SockShop & Shoe Company
1515 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-429-6101, sockshopandshoeco.com
One of the best selections of socks and tights you’ll find anywhere, as well as a variety of comfort shoes for men, women and children. Service is great, so you can take your time to choose the right pair.
Synergy Organic Clothing
2151 Delaware Ave., Santa Cruz, 888-466-0411; synergyclothing.com
With certified organic cotton and eco friendly fibers, the downtown boutique offers a pallet of simple chic in the form of dresses, skirts, jackets, scarves, yoga apparel, tops, and jewelry, while the Soquel outlet offers all of this at a discounted price. Sustainable and conscious business.
Electronics
Santa Cruz Tech Exchange
1715 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 831-600-8915, santacruztechexchange.com
Buy, sell, and trade all kinds of electronics.
Fitness
Toadal Fitness
113 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, 831-423-3764; 1200 17th Ave., #108, Santa Cruz, 831-464-3764; 6200 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 831-475-5979; 269 Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 831-430-9200; 2929 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 831-466-3764
Toadal operates on the belief that fitness should be accessible to all, and good health is a key part of happiness. Also: the member is always right.
Furniture
Couch Potato
3131 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 831-462-4636, cpotato.com
Quality sofas, sofa beds, recliners, chairs, and sectionals in leather and fabric—indulge the inner couch potato.
Maggie’s Place
910 A Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-466-2666, maggiesplacesantacruz.com
This furniture and home décor store also offers design services, aiming to be the go-to place for anyone interested in home décor insight and inspiration.
Natural Selection Furniture
607 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-4711, naturalselectionfurnituresc.com
Focusing on a casual, contemporary style, Natural Selection offers boutique shopping at affordable prices.
Redo Consign & Redesign
1523 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, 831-439-9201, redoconsign.com
This large space maintains high standards for vintage-to-new furnishings, art, mirrors, lamps, rugs, pots, statuary, and some outdoor items sourced from interior designers, private owners, stagers, and manufacturer sample sales.
SC41 Furniture
2647 41st Ave., Soquel, 831-464-2228, sc41.com
The award-winning SC41 Furniture store features quality, stylish home furnishings and a large selection that’s worth a few hours of your time. Most are made with sustainable materials.
Garden
DIG Gardens
420 Water St., Santa Cruz, 831-466-3444; 7765 Soquel Drive, #A, Aptos, diggardens.com
DIG stands for Design Interior Garden, and you will definitely “dig” it! DIG has all kinds of plants—from palms, grevilleas, grasses, and bamboo to succulents and edibles. Stock up on DIG’s large range of organic heirloom veggies for your own garden, and find patio furniture for dining outdoors.
The Garden Company
2218 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 831-429-8424, thegardenco.com
From wonderful perennials, tropicals, bulbs, and succulents that are easy to travel with to its gift shop filled with ceramics, candles, books, soaps, lotions, hats, and more, the Garden Company has much to offer.
Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
9550 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond, 831-336-8876, mountainfeed.com
This eccentric and well-rounded locally owned shop is far from simply a feed and farm supply. With its homesteading section, you can find everything you need to do your own canning and make your own cheese and sausage. They also have a gift shop and an expansive edible nursery, along with all sorts of fun things for the home and garden.
Gifts
Annieglass
310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville, 831-761-2041, annieglass.com
In addition to being sold at high-end stores like Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s, local Ann Morhauser’s glass creations are shipped all over the world. Check out her online store for glassware and wine-tasting events at the Watsonville factory.
Avalon Visions
2815 Porter St., Soquel, 831-464-7245, avalonvisions.com
Take note of the abundance of choice books and music available here. There is a splendid collection of natural and crafted crystals, too—plus spiritual readings and an aura station.
Botanic and Luxe
701-A Front St., Santa Cruz, botanicandluxe.com
This shop is the perfect place to find a unique gift for the plant lover in your life, and you will leave inspired by the simple beauty of natural design.
Flourish Designs
1127 B Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
Home goods, vintage finds, and jewelry in Midtown Santa Cruz. Find your pretties here.
Gaia Earth Treasures
209 Capitola Ave., Capitola, 831-475-8066, gaiaearthtreasures.com
Gaia has a large selection of mineral specimens, crystals and fossils from all around the world. It’s a unique store for gifts—bookends, vases, goblets, sculptures—and more. Find a stone that attracts you and keep it next to your bed.
Good Vibes
111 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 831-466-9870, goodvibes.com/s/
This sex-positive sexual health and wellness toy retailer offers education and information promoting sexual health, pleasure, and empowerment in addition to toys.
The Mermaid Shop
716 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-427-3771
In-house screen-printed and embroidered clothing, hats and home decor featuring original mermaid designs.
OM Gallery
1201 Pacific Ave., Capitola, 831-425-9107, omgallery.com
OM Gallery carries creatively designed lighting—lamps that look like giant lotuses, flower string lights, floor lamps, and paper star lanterns. OM also has gorgeous handmade silk clothing in classic Vietnamese and Chinese styles, linen pants, handbags, scarves, and accessories.
Outdoor World
136 River St., Santa Cruz, 831-423-9555; 1440 41st Ave., Capitola, 831-479-1501, theoutdoorworld.com
Outdoor World is your one-stop shop for all things sporting goods. Looking for camping gear or fishing gear? How about archery or hunting equipment? Outdoor World’s got you covered.
Outside-In
7568 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 831-684-0178, outside-in.myshopify.com
Offering gifts, home decor, jewelry, and luxury clothing with an emphasis on supporting local artisans and businesses. Their store specializing in educational toys, books and clothes—named Outside-In Kids—is next door to the main store.
Pure Pleasure
831-466-8870, purepleasureshop.com
A top-notch adult store filled with sensual products and a vibrant hub of in-home parties and adult sex education. Started in Santa Cruz by a mother and daughter team. Books, gifts, lingerie, spa-quality bath and body products, stimulating toys you knew existed (and many more you didn’t).
Toque Blanche
1527 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-426-1351, mytoque.com/pages/our-stores
Toque Blanche carries hundreds of kitchen products. Knives, bowls, espresso machines and much more.
The True Olive Connection
831-458-OILS, trueoliveconnection.com
Specializes in fresh, high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar from around the world.
Zinnia’s Gift Boutique
219 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley, 831-430-9466, zinniasgiftboutique.com
Women’s apparel, home decor, jewelry, holiday items, and more. Zinnia’s has been voted first place in our annual Best Of issue for several years.
Ethos
101 Capitola Ave., Capitola, 831-854-2490, ethossantacruz.com
Helping environmentally conscious shoppers reduce consumption of plastics and waste by offering a wide range of personal care items, home goods and on-the-go products.
Jewelry
Byzantine Jewelry
1530 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-426-2308, bfinejewelry.com
Byzantine Jewelry specializes in colored stones, and their professional staff of experienced jewelers can create 3D images of any ring a customer designs to ensure complete satisfaction.
Dell Williams
1320 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-423-4100, dellwilliams.com
Selling classic and contemporary jewelry, Dell Williams has been locally owned and family operated for four generations. In addition to jewelry, they sell watches and other giftware. A full restoration department can help customers repair a broken necklace or an inherited antique brooch. Dell Williams has been downtown since 1927 and has a loyal, generations-old customer base.
Ideal Jewelry
720 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-457-9245
This family owned and operated boutique features an artist and in-house jeweler.
Mark Areias Jewelers
7552 Soquel Drive at Aptos Center, Aptos, 831-688-2799, areiasjewelers.com
Fine jewelry and timepieces with a specialty in custom design. Also offers a wide selection of new and estate jewelry, plus a watchmaker on the premises for your watch-repair needs.
Santa Cruz Sea Glass
831-332-7188, santacruzseaglass.com
Santa Cruz Sea Glass is home to some of the most exotic and rare sea glass jewelry around. Best part? All of its sea glass is found, unaltered and made by hand, meaning each piece is 100% unique.
Stephan’s Fine Jewelry
102 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-458-9950, stephansjewelry.com
Over 30 years of experience servicing Santa Cruz with a great selection of contemporary and classic fine jewelry and good prices.
Super Silver
1301 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-460-9696; 1855 41st Ave., Capitola, 831-477-1932; 214 Capitola Ave., Capitola, 831-462-9696, supersilver.com
This hotspot with locations in Downtown Santa Cruz, Capitola Mall and Capitola Village houses thousands of sterling silver chains, rings, earrings, charms, stone necklaces, hoops, and body jewelry.
