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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Music

Museums

Sport

Swimming Lessons

πŸ† Winner

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!

β˜… Silver Star

Seahorse Swim School, Inc.

Tiffany Harmon
Aptos and Santa Cruz

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

Theater

Gymnastics

πŸ† Winner

JuneBug's Gym

3910 Portola Dr Ste 2 & 3, Santa Cruz

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

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

β˜… Silver Star

Wells Fargo

Multiple Santa Cruz County locations

Place/House of Worship

Insurance

πŸ† Winner

Farmers Insurance – Santa Cruz

β˜… Silver Star

Allstate Insurance Santa Cruz

Photographer

Realtor

Radio Station

πŸ† Winner

KZSC Santa Cruz

1156 High St, Santa Cruz

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

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

Hospital

Pediatrician

Reproductive

β˜… Silver Star

Palo Alto Medical Foundation Obstetrics and Gynecology

Santa Cruz locations

Midwife/Doula

Therapist

πŸ† Winner

Western Tom Lmft

5905 Soquel Dr, Soquel

Specialist

πŸ† Winner

Sutter Health Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz locations
β˜… Silver Star

Dignity Health Medical Group Dominican

1595 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz

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

Spa

Massage Therapist

Nail Salon

πŸ† Winner

Tracy's Nails

1675 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Pets

Pet care, supplies, boarding, and veterinary favorites.

Kennel

Pet Supplies

Veterinarian

Shopping

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

Art Supplies

Baby

Bike Shop

Children's Clothing

Gift Shop

Home Decor

Nursery/Garden

Skate/Surf

Teen Clothing

Toys

β˜… Silver Star

Childish

1129 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Women's Clothing

Schools & Education

Schools, preschool, tutoring, and learning communities.

Charter

Elementary

πŸ† Winner

Gateway School

255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz

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

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

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
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

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

Learning & Tutoring

πŸ† Winner

Mathnasium of Aptos

24 Rancho del Mar, 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.

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