Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Best Of 2026

We asked local families to share their favorite places, programs, services and businesses around Santa Cruz County. Thank you to everyone who voted, and congratulations to this year’s Best Of winners and Silver Star honorees.

Camps

Day camps, residential camp, and creative camp favorites.

Day Camp

πŸ† Winner

Kennolyn Camps

8205 Hacienda Lane, Soquel, CA 95073

Your child will thrive in this full-day, outdoor camp. With activities like high ropes, ninja, and swimming your child will return happy-tired each day! And with a nurse on duty and 1:4 counselor to camper ratio you have peace of mind they are in good hands. Space available this summer.

Residential Camp

πŸ† Winner

Kennolyn Camps

8205 Hacienda Lane, Soquel, CA 95073

Your child will thrive in this full-day, outdoor camp. With activities like high ropes, ninja, and swimming your child will return happy-tired each day! And with a nurse on duty and 1:4 counselor to camper ratio you have peace of mind they are in good hands. Space available this summer.

Art Camp

πŸ† Winner

Drawn2Art

19C Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, CA 95003

Drawn2Art is Celebrating its 40th Anniversary! Our philosophy of β€œcreativity follows mastery” has helped hone the skills of many aspiring artists. It’s a Testament to the importance of art education. Offering year-round drawing, painting classes, summer camps. To learn more or schedule a Free Introductory Class – email at: [email protected]

β˜… Silver Star

Seven Directions Creative Learning Center

303 Potrero Street, Suite 7A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Seven Directions is Santa Cruz’s premier creative learning center for kids ages 5-18. We offer summer camps, afterschool classes and homeschool programs in art, science and beyond. With a bright and lively studio and over 30 live exotic animals, Seven Directions inspires kids to love learning and be themselves.

Food & Dining

Restaurants, bakeries, coffee, grocery, and family-friendly eats.

Bakery

Coffee Shop

πŸ† Winner

Cat & Cloud Coffee

Multiple Santa Cruz County locations

Breakfast

Deli

Dinner

Fine Dining

Grocery Store

Ice Cream

Pizza

β˜… Silver Star

Bookie's Pizza

1315 Water Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Sushi

β˜… Silver Star

Sushi Garden

Capitola location temporarily closed; Aptos: 38 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos; Watsonville: 1441 Main St, Watsonville

Taqueria

To Go

Family Friendly Restaurant

Activities, Arts & Enrichment

Programs, lessons, museums, theater, sports, swimming, and movement.

After School Care

Art Programs

πŸ† Winner

Drawn2Art

19C Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, CA 95003

Drawn2Art is Celebrating its 40th Anniversary! Our philosophy of β€œcreativity follows mastery” has helped hone the skills of many aspiring artists. It’s a Testament to the importance of art education. Offering year-round drawing, painting classes, summer camps. To learn more or schedule a Free Introductory Class – email at: [email protected]

β˜… Silver Star

Seven Directions Creative Learning Center

303 Potrero Street, Suite 7A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Seven Directions is Santa Cruz’s premier creative learning center for kids ages 5-18. We offer summer camps, afterschool classes and homeschool programs in art, science and beyond. With a bright and lively studio and over 30 live exotic animals, Seven Directions inspires kids to love learning and be themselves.

Dance Center

πŸ† Winner

International Academy of Dance Santa Cruz

320 Encinal St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Music

Museums

Sport

Swimming Lessons

πŸ† Winner

Jim Booth Swim School

Duncan Holbert Pool: 140 Herman Ave (enter on Anna Street), Watsonville, CA 95076

Be a water wonder! Lessons for all ages, from Little Otters for babies to adult beginners. The whole family can splash together in our 94-degree indoor pool, taught by caring, well-qualified teachers. Swim team and advanced lessons also available!

β˜… Silver Star

Seahorse Swim School, Inc.

Tiffany Harmon
1505 Seascape Blvd, Aptos, CA 95003; additional Santa Cruz location

Seahorse Swim School, led by owner Tiffany Harmon, has nearly 40 years of aquatic teaching experience along the California Coast. Offering group, private, and parent-tot lessons for ages six months and up, April through October. Located at the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge and Seahorse Swim Academy above the Aptos Library.

Swimming Center

β˜… Silver Star

Adventure Sports Unlimited

303 Potrero St, Suite 15, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Theater

Gymnastics

πŸ† Winner

JuneBug's Gym

3910 Portola Dr Ste 2 & 3, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

June Bug’s Gym is a place where your child can experience a fun-filled adventure in movement. We have a caring, respectful staff that encourages every child to grow at their own pace while supporting social, emotional, and cognitive development. Our goal is to promote confidence and self-esteem in our students, open up their imaginations, and help them experience the joy of movement in an ever-changing environment designed to test their skills.

β˜… Silver Star

Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center

2750 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

We are offering Gymnastics Camps for ages 5–12! Come FLIP WITH US at our weekly themed camps. Camps include gymnastics lessons on all Olympic events, supervised open gym time, group games, crafts, and time in our foam pit! Full and half day options are available for each weekly camp. Check scgym.com for more information and to register.

Community & Professional Services

Local services, financial resources, real estate, media, and community support.

Bank

πŸ† Winner

Bay Federal Credit Union

3333 Clares St, Capitola, CA 95010; additional branches available
β˜… Silver Star

Wells Fargo

1700 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010

Place/ House of Worship

πŸ† Winner

Twin Lakes Church

2701 Cabrillo College Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

Insurance

πŸ† Winner

Farmers Insurance – Santa Cruz

β˜… Silver Star

Allstate Insurance Santa Cruz

Photographer

πŸ† Winner

Shmuel Thaler Photography

1523 Laurel St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Realtor

Radio Station

πŸ† Winner

KZSC Santa Cruz

1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95064

Addiction Treatment/ Recovery Services

Health & Wellness

Medical, dental, fitness, reproductive care, therapy, and family health services.

Dentist/ Orthodontist

πŸ† Winner

Alison K. Jackson, D.D.S. Children's Dentistry

7545 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

Thank you for choosing Dr. Jackson as your favorite pediatric dentist again! We are proud to be your choice for the fifth year in a row. We love taking care of your children. New patients are always welcome. Call us and schedule an appointment soon.

Fitness

β˜… Silver Star

In-Shape Capitola

1100 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010

Hospital

β˜… Silver Star

Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz

2900 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Pediatrician

πŸ† Winner

Palo Alto Medical Foundation Pediatrics Santa Cruz

2025 Soquel Ave, Floor 2, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Reproductive

β˜… Silver Star

Palo Alto Medical Foundation Obstetrics and Gynecology

2907 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Midwife/ Doula

β˜… Silver Star

Tamara Belkin

2907 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Therapist

πŸ† Winner

Western Tom Lmft

5905 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073

Specialist

πŸ† Winner

Sutter Health Santa Cruz

2025 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
β˜… Silver Star

Dignity Health Medical Group Dominican

1595 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Parks & Outdoor Fun

Beaches, parks, hikes, and classic Santa Cruz outdoor destinations.

Beach

β˜… Silver Star

Seabright State Beach

E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz

Park

Hiking

Amusement Park

Beauty & Self-Care

Salons, spas, massage, and nail care.

Hair Salon

πŸ† Winner

Dang! Suite Hair!

1220-A 41st Ave, Suite 7, Capitola, CA 95010

Spa

Massage Therapist

Nail Salon

πŸ† Winner

Tracy's Nails

1440 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010

Pets

Pet care, supplies, boarding, and veterinary favorites.

Kennel

β˜… Silver Star

Woofpack

105 Mountain View Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Pet Supplies

πŸ† Winner

Pet Pals Discount Pet Food & Supplies

3660 Soquel Dr, Suite A, Soquel, CA 95073

Veterinarian

Shopping

Local shops for gifts, toys, clothing, art supplies, bikes, surf, home, baby, and garden.

Art Supplies

Baby

Bike Shop

Children's Clothing

πŸ† Winner

Gap Santa Cruz

1225 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Gift Shop

Home Decor

πŸ† Winner

Warmth Company

140 Post Office Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

Nursery/ Garden

Skate/ Surf

Teen Clothing

Toys

β˜… Silver Star

Childish

1127 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Women's Clothing

Schools & Education

Schools, preschool, tutoring, and learning communities.

Charter

Elementary

πŸ† Winner

Gateway School

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Thank you for voting for Gateway School! From our small class sizes to our extraordinary programs, educators and academics, Gateway is inspiring students to be prepared, be known and belong. Visit us today. gateways.org

Middle School

πŸ† Winner

Gateway School

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Thank you for voting for Gateway School! From our small class sizes to our extraordinary programs, educators and academics, Gateway is inspiring students to be prepared, be known and belong. Visit us today. gateways.org

High School

Preschool

πŸ† Winner

Discovery Preschool and Family Center

2800 Porter St, Soquel, CA 95073; additional locations available
Lic# 444414415

Discovery is a Reggio Emilia inspired preschool program. At Discovery we know that every child brings with them deep curiosity and potential and this innate curiosity drives their interest to understand their world and their place within it. Students’ input, intelligence, and curiosities are honored everyday.

β˜… Silver Star

Simcha Preschool

3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, CA 95003
License # 444417183

Come experience Simcha Preschool Early Learning Center, where joyful, play-based learning inspires creativity, independence, and strong social-emotional growth. In our beautiful indoor and outdoor learning spaces, our curriculum is guided by children's interests and supported by dedicated teachers. Voted Silver Winner for Best Preschool 2026, we offer low teacher-child ratios and flexible schedules for children ages 18 months to 5 years. Open year-round 7:30am-5:20pm. Call 831-479-3449 or email Director Caitlin Clancy at [email protected] to learn more!

Private School

πŸ† Winner

Gateway School

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Thank you for voting for Gateway School! From our small class sizes to our extraordinary programs, educators and academics, Gateway is inspiring students to be prepared, be known and belong. Visit us today. gateways.org

β˜… Silver Star

Twin Lakes Christian School

2701 Cabrillo College Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

Learning & Tutoring

πŸ† Winner

Mathnasium of Aptos

24 Rancho del Mar, Aptos, CA 95003

Does your child dread math β€” or dream of mastering it? Mathnasium of Aptos creates personalized learning plans that build real confidence, from basic skills through Pre-Calculus. Serving families across Aptos and the Santa Cruz coast. Schedule a free assessment and watch the math clicks start happening.

Celebrations

Party services and places to celebrate birthdays and milestones.

Party Services

Place to Celebrate Kid's Birthday

Place to Celebrate an Adult Birthday or Milestone

Dog-Friendly

Restaurants, hikes, and beaches where families can bring their dogs.

Dog Friendly Restaurants

Dog Friendly Hikes

Dog Friendly Beaches

β˜… Silver Star

Rio Del Mar State Beach

Rio Del Mar Blvd, Aptos