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 yearβs Best Of winners and Silver Star honorees.
Camps
Day camps, residential camp, and creative camp favorites.
Day Camp
Kennolyn Camps
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.
Be Natural Music
Residential Camp
Kennolyn Camps
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.
Redwood Music Teen Camp
Art Camp
Drawn2Art
Drawn2Art is Celebrating its 40th Anniversary! Our philosophy of βcreativity follows masteryβ has helped hone the skills of many aspiring artists. Itβs 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 β email at: [email protected]
Seven Directions Creative Learning Center
Seven Directions is Santa Cruzβs 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
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
Companion Bakeshop
Coffee Shop
Cat & Cloud Coffee
11th Hour Coffee
Breakfast
Harbor Cafe
Walnut Avenue Cafe
Deli
Zoccoli's Delicatessen
Garden Deli
Dinner
Shadowbrook Restaurant
The Hideout
Fine Dining
Shadowbrook Restaurant
HOME
Grocery Store
Shopper's Corner
Aptos Market
Ice Cream
Marianne's Ice Cream
The Penny Ice Creamery
Pizza
Pizza My Heart
Bookie's Pizza
Sushi
Akira Santa Cruz
Sushi Garden
Capitola location temporarily closed; Aptos: 38 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos; Watsonville: 1441 Main St, Watsonville
Taqueria
Los Pericos Taqueria
Taqueria Vallarta
To Go
Charlie Hong Kong
Pretty Good Advice
Family Friendly Restaurant
Carpo's Restaurant
Kianti's Pizza & Pasta Bar
Activities, Arts & Enrichment
Programs, lessons, museums, theater, sports, swimming, and movement.
After School Care
Campus Kids Connection
Be Natural Music
Art Programs
Drawn2Art
Drawn2Art is Celebrating its 40th Anniversary! Our philosophy of βcreativity follows masteryβ has helped hone the skills of many aspiring artists. Itβs 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 β email at: [email protected]
Seven Directions Creative Learning Center
Seven Directions is Santa Cruzβs 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
International Academy of Dance Santa Cruz
Dancenter
Music
Kuumbwa Jazz
Be Natural Music
Museums
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
Sport
Parks & Recreation Santa Cruz Sports
Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
Swimming Lessons
Jim Booth Swim School
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!
Seahorse Swim School, Inc.
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
Simpkins Family Swim Center
Adventure Sports Unlimited
Theater
Cabrillo Stage
Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Gymnastics
JuneBug's Gym
June Bugβs 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.
Santa Cruz Gymnastics Center
We are offering Gymnastics Camps for ages 5β12! 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
Bay Federal Credit Union
Wells Fargo
Place/ House of Worship
Twin Lakes Church
Temple Beth El
Insurance
Farmers Insurance – Santa Cruz
Allstate Insurance Santa Cruz
Photographer
Shmuel Thaler Photography
Alicia Telfer Photography
Realtor
David Lyng Real Estate
Bailey Properties
Radio Station
KZSC Santa Cruz
KPIG Radio
Addiction Treatment/ Recovery Services
Janus of Santa Cruz
Health & Wellness
Medical, dental, fitness, reproductive care, therapy, and family health services.
Dentist/ Orthodontist
Alison K. Jackson, D.D.S. Children's Dentistry
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.
Santa Cruz Children's Dental
Fitness
Toadal Fitness
In-Shape Capitola
Hospital
Dominican Hospital
Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz
Pediatrician
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Pediatrics Santa Cruz
Bruce Block, M.D. – Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Reproductive
Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Obstetrics and Gynecology
Midwife/ Doula
Santa Cruz Midwives
Tamara Belkin
Therapist
Western Tom Lmft
Monarch Services
Specialist
Sutter Health Santa Cruz
Dignity Health Medical Group Dominican
Parks & Outdoor Fun
Beaches, parks, hikes, and classic Santa Cruz outdoor destinations.
Beach
Capitola Beach
Seabright State Beach
Park
Leo's Haven
Wilder Ranch State Park
Hiking
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Amusement Park
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Roaring Camp Railroads
Beauty & Self-Care
Salons, spas, massage, and nail care.
Hair Salon
Dang! Suite Hair!
Evolve
Spa
Well Within Spa
Chaminade Resort & Spa
Massage Therapist
Well Within Spa
Sage Float Spa
Nail Salon
Tracy's Nails
Diva Nails
Pets
Pet care, supplies, boarding, and veterinary favorites.
Kennel
Bed & Biscuits Groomingdales
Woofpack
Pet Supplies
Pet Pals Discount Pet Food & Supplies
Aptos Feed & Pet Supply
Veterinarian
Adobe Animal Hospital of Soquel
Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital
Shopping
Local shops for gifts, toys, clothing, art supplies, bikes, surf, home, baby, and garden.
Art Supplies
Palace Art & Office Supply
Lenz Arts
Baby
Mini Mint
Bike Shop
Scotts Valley Cycle Sport
Epicenter Cycling
Children's Clothing
Gap Santa Cruz
Gift Shop
Bookshop Santa Cruz
Zinnia's Gift Boutique
Home Decor
Warmth Company
Botanic and Luxe
Nursery/ Garden
Dig Gardens
San Lorenzo Lumber Garden Center
Skate/ Surf
O'Neill Surf Shop
Bill's Wheels Skateshop
Teen Clothing
Urban Outfitters Santa Cruz
O'Neill Surf Shop
Toys
Wonderland Toys
Childish
Women's Clothing
Pacific Trading Company
Anthropologie
Schools & Education
Schools, preschool, tutoring, and learning communities.
Charter
Pacific Collegiate School
San Lorenzo Valley Charter School
Elementary
Gateway School
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
Mount Madonna School
Middle School
Gateway School
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
Mount Madonna School
High School
Mount Madonna School
Santa Cruz High School
Preschool
Discovery Preschool and Family Center
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. Studentsβ input, intelligence, and curiosities are honored everyday.
Simcha Preschool
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
Gateway School
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
Twin Lakes Christian School
Learning & Tutoring
Mathnasium of Aptos
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.
Be Natural Music
Celebrations
Party services and places to celebrate birthdays and milestones.
Party Services
Fairytale Endings
Place to Celebrate Kid's Birthday
Fairytale Endings
Santa Cruz Roller Palladium
Place to Celebrate an Adult Birthday or Milestone
Fairytale Endings Entertainment
Shadowbrook Restaurant
Dog-Friendly
Restaurants, hikes, and beaches where families can bring their dogs.