Camille Krilanovich of Chimera Tattoo works on Tamera Walters. Photo by Chip Scheuer.
Best Place to Start A Sneaker Collection
Old School Shoes
Some collect records. Some collect books. Some collect thimbles. And some collect sneakers. Yes, there exists a group of people whose knowledge of both sneaker history as well as up-to-the-minute shoe releases is so extensive it leaves you shaking your head in disbelief. For the aspiring sneakerhead, the place to go is Old School Shoes. They take it back to the day with classic designs by Puma, Adidas, KangaROOS, Vans, PF-Flyers and more. And they have more Chuck Taylors than you can shake a stick at. (CJ)
1017 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.423.2700
Best Place to Play Really Old Guitars
Sylvan Music’s Vintage Acoustic Room
Some people like to dress up fancy, go to car dealerships and drive expensive cars. After all, what purrs sweeter than the engine of a 2012 Porsche Boxter? How about the wooden body of a Martin or Gibson guitar that predates the Second World War? On display in Sylvan Music’s acoustic room, some of the store’s pricier instruments, which sound like they’ve aged better than fine wine, were made from rare and exotic woods that aren’t so easy to find in the 21st century. It’s just like Dad always said: they don’t make them they used to. (JP)
1521 Mission St, Santa Cruz. 831.427.1917
Best Alternative to Ikea
Clearwater Bazaar
Not that there's anything wrong with stylish Swedish snap-together furniture; it's fine. But for not a whole lot more money, it's possible to get a piece of hand-crafted furniture made in the days when craftsmen and craftswomen had time to build things (so you don't have to). Clearwater sells genuine antiques as well as super-cool mid-century furniture, housewares and other collectibles. Right now the shop has a Danish cabinet by Povl Dinesen; a Lane coffee table; a one-of-a-kind glass-and-metal light sculpture and an Italian ceramic monkey table. (!)(AG)
2131 Portola Dr, Santa Cruz. 831.465.0630
Best Reason to Wear Skirts
Legs
The tiny shop next to Sockshop & Shoe Co. in downtown Santa Cruz is not a store with an identity problem. It’s all about the gams—showing them off, keeping them warm, making them irresistible with tights in every conceivable shade, weave, print and fabric. Stocked with brands like Bella, MeMoi, MarcMarc and Celeste Stein, it’s the place to go to get your kicks. (TH)
1517 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz. 831.429.1940
Best Place to Find Toys That Aren't Pink and Blue
Lolly Tree Toys
Forget about big box stores that send shoppers down aisles of color-coded, plastic, gender-restrictive toys. Lolly Tree Toys carries toys, many of them wooden, fabric or recycled plastic, that are designed to stimulate young minds and fingers. From science and tech toys to recycling trucks and books about our local forests, this place is a welcome refuge for people who want to shop outside the box. (CJ)
1101 Pacific Ave Suite D, Santa Cruz. 831.713.5136
Best Homesteading Essentials
Mountain Feed and Farm Supply
You don't have to be a homesteader, or even a gardener, to love Mountain Feed and Farm Supply. But if you’re not, a visit to this place will make you wish you were. Besides food for the chickens, horses, cats and dogs; seeds, starts and full-grown plants and trees; Mountain Feed has a colorful little cabin full of the coolest kitchen tools and housewares you’ve ever seen. Everyone in the San Lorenzo Valley already loves Mountain Feed—for you flatlanders, here’s a great reason to take that pretty drive up Highway Nine. (AG)
9550 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond. 831.336.8876
Best Way to Not Work Alone
Coworking
The coolest thing about being self-employed is working for yourself. The not so cool thing about being self-employed is working by yourself. Enter coworking. The idea is this: coworking spaces provide a place for self-employed people, start-up businesses and telecommuters to work side by side. In doing so, unexpected connections and interesting collaborations happen and an energy emerges that tends to boost productivity and inspire community. With four coworking spaces to our name (NextSpace, Cruzioworks and two Satellite Telework Center locations), Santa Cruz County is a model locale for those looking to join the coworking movement. (CJ)
Multiple locations
Best Gourmet Gas Station
AJ’s Market
The first time you walk into AJ’s, which appears to be a filling station convenience store, you might be surprised. Instead of microwave burritos and Twinkies you’ll find sandwiches served on locally baked bread and pastries from Kelly’s Bakery. Instead of Slurpees you’ll find Gizdich Ranch juices. AJ’s has Marianne’s ice cream, organic strawberries grown at Cabrillo College and a Halal butcher shop. And the shelves of this modestly sized market are stocked with more locally produced foodstuffs, good wines and interesting imported products than many Safeways. (AG)
5955 Soquel Dr, Soquel. 831.462.2066
—Alex Gilrane, Traci Hukill, Cat Johnson, Jacob Pierce
