Santa Cruz County is blessed with retail stores that offer creative options for gift-giving, from small to large. As they prepared for the holiday season, Good Times writers Elizabeth Borelli and Josh Logan hit the streets and asked just a few of the many entrepreneurs for some holiday gift suggestions.

Artisans & Agency

1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz | 831-423-8183

Linnea James is the current owner of Artisans & Agency, a downtown staple that, after surviving in various incarnations, will mark its 50th anniversary next year. She has deep roots in the local arts scene and even sold her own handmade greeting cards at the shop back when it was housed in a tent following the 1989 earthquake. “We just brought Marini’s Candies back to downtown. We are the only place here that has them now, and people really miss that nostalgia,” James says.

The Gems

• Doug Ross Tea Towels: New designs from the famous local artist, including “Sanctuary” and cat-themed prints.

• Marini’s Candies: Classic Santa Cruz saltwater taffy and chocolates.

• Mid-Century Modern Tissue Boxes: Recycled plastic covers shaped like Eichler homes.

• Glass Banana Slugs: Hand-blown glass ornaments made in California.

—Joshua Logan

Cameron Marks

402 Ingalls St, No. 21, Santa Cruz | 831-458-3080

Cameron Marks is celebrating 20 years as a Santa Cruz style institution. Owner and co-founder Vanessa Ambrose is an Australian expat with a background in fashion design who used to dress rock stars like INXS and Nicole Kidman. She has built a space that feels more like a gallery than a store. Located in a repurposed industrial building on the Westside, the store features massive French doors from the 1880s, shipped all the way from Louisiana. Inside, the store is a masterclass in texture, color, and style where industrial meets eclectic design.

The Gems

• Baggu Bags: The ultimate in cool reusable bags, these durable, sustainable nylon totes fold up into a tiny flat pouch. The shop has bins full of them in every pattern imaginable.

• Pamela Love Amphora Necklace: By New York designer Pamela Love, this silver vessel can be filled with a favorite fragrance. Sleek, personal and unforgettable, it’s one of Ambrose’s favorite holiday picks this year.

• Master Shin’s Anvil Knives: These hand-forged blades are part of the shop’s deep selection of Japanese and Korean craft goods.

• Barebones Lanterns: Vintage-inspired lighting that is perfect for Santa Cruz outdoor living. Look for the Block Tower Lanterns or Edison Light Sticks which are consistently in stock and very giftable.

—Joshua Logan

Clementine & Co.

126 San Jose Ave, Capitola | 831-400-2024

Clementine & Co. began as an interior design studio before evolving into the warm, light-filled boutique it is today. The owners’ design sensibility shines through in every corner—thoughtfully curated shelves, tactile textures, and a palette that feels both modern and deeply inviting. This charming Capitola Village shop blends artisan craftsmanship with everyday usefulness, featuring goods that are as functional as they are beautiful. With its approachable price points and impeccable taste, it’s a favorite stop for shoppers seeking inspired gifts, unique home accents, or that one perfect accessory to brighten a room or a mood.

The Gems

• Fuzzy fingerless hand gloves, super soft, stylish, and irresistibly giftable.
• Turtle-knit poncho, the ideal blend of warmth and elegance. One size fits all, and multiple color options keeps holiday giving simple.
• Santa Cruz Candle Company mason jar candles—locally made, vibrant, and “scentsational,” each one inspired by a favorite local beach.
• Petite ceramic pinch pots that elevate any table. Fill with sauces, seasoned salts, or jams for a charming charcuterie detail.

—Elizabeth Borelli

Ethos

101 Capitola Ave, Capitola | 831-854-2490

Founder and owner Meredith Keet traveled and became deeply aware of just how much plastic we burn through without thinking. She opened Ethos to make low-waste living feel doable, not preachy. That intention comes through immediately. Ethos highlights its best-selling items directly on its site, and they are exactly the kinds of things you end up reordering once you try them.

The Gems
• Mineral Sunscreen Stick: Reef-safe mineral sunscreen in compostable packaging.

• Vegetable Crisper Bags (VEJI): Reusable produce bags that actually keep food fresh longer.

• Leaf and Twig Safety Razors: Durable, plastic-free metal razors designed to last decades.

• Shampoo and Conditioner Bars: Solid hair-care favorites that travel well and cut waste.

—Joshua Logan

Homeless Garden Project

1338 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz | 831-295-6328

The Homeless Garden Project is far more than a store, it’s the heart of a social enterprise rooted in healing, dignity and transformation. The project’s organic farm provides agricultural job training, community connection, and a path toward stability for individuals experiencing homelessness. With 93% of trainees moving on to secure housing and full-time work, every purchase directly supports personal growth, skill-building, and long-term resilience. The newly relocated shop (across the street from the former Pacific Avenue location) offers a bright and welcoming space.

The Gems

• Handmade Dried Floral Wreaths: These capture the vibrant colors and textures of each harvest season.
• Hand-printed Tea Towels: Perfect for hosts, cooks and kitchen décor lovers.
• Garden-grown Botanical Shrubs and Syrups: Elevate cocktails, mocktails or desserts with farm-fresh flavor.

—Elizabeth Borelli

Home/Work

100 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz | 831-316-5215

Boutique owner Sonia McMoran offers a laid-back destination for discovering carefully curated goods for the home and office, along with a wide selection of unique gifts. McMoran knows good design, having spent more than a decade reporting on interior design and technology trends for publications like The New York Times and Wired. While taking a hiatus from journalism, McMoran realized that what she loved most about her job wasn’t the writing, but the excitement of discovering cool products, and sharing her discoveries with the world. This was the inspiration for Home/Work.

The Gems

• Watercolor Workbook: Fill in these lovely, nature-inspired line drawings and create framable artwork.
• A Splash Will Do: Set of three handcrafted botanical beverage mixers, perfect for cocktails, mocktails or lattes.
• Washable Wool Sweater: The warmth and classic allure of wool, without the complications.
• Bestie Water Bottles: So cute, it’s hard to believe they’re so functional.

—Elizabeth Borelli

Sockshop & Shoe Company

1515 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz | 831-429-6101

154 Aptos Village Way, Aptos | 831-612-6495

17 Municipal Wharf, Unit E, Santa Cruz | 831-600-7370

What began as a tiny 450-square-foot storefront dedicated to quirky, character-filled socks has grown into a local institution. Family-owned since 1988, The Sock Shop has expanded into Aptos Village, bringing its joyful, personality-packed collection to even more shoppers. Known for carrying everything from bold novelty prints to high-performance footwear and eco-friendly designs, the shop radiates fun from floor to ceiling, inviting shoppers of all ages to embrace comfort, whimsy and a little everyday delight.

The Gems

• Fun, themed socks like “Ottermelon,” “Corgi Butt,” “Significant Otter,” “Socktopus,” “Santa Cruz Tentacles,” and “Santa Cruz Slug.”
• Barefoot-style shoes for natural movement and all-day comfort.
• YY Nation Women’s Fractus Cactus Sneaker crafted from vegan and recycled materials, stylish, durable, and planet-friendly.

—Elizabeth Borelli

Stripe

107 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz | 831-421-9252

Stripe has been a downtown fixture for 16 years, but Isabelle Coats just took the reins as owner in February. She’s kept the beloved “upscale casual” vibe while bringing back clothing, restarting First Friday art receptions, and leaning into the shop’s history—it was originally a pre-earthquake piano store, and yes, those massive chandeliers are a permanent fixture.

The Gems

• Flying Cow Ceramics: Locally made ceramics by Matt Lezin, who lives just a few blocks away.

• Anne Martinette Photography: Double-exposure film prints of local Santa Cruz landmarks, like the Boardwalk.

• Thymes Frasier Fir Candles: The cult-favorite holiday candle that smells exactly like a Christmas tree. (“That is a very strictly holiday thing,” Coats says. “People just ask for them… I have got to have them.”)

• Blackwing Pencils & Accessories: High-quality pencils famous for being used by John Steinbeck.

—Joshua Logan

Sweet Asylum

120 San Jose Ave., Capitola | 831-466-0361

Sweet Asylum sits just a block from the beach in Capitola Village, and it feels exactly like what its name suggests. Calm. Warm. Unrushed. Owner Stacie Basile moved the shop from downtown Santa Cruz to Capitola in 2008, intentionally shaping it into a place where people could slow down for a minute.
The Gems
• Pirette Fragrance Oil: A long-lasting rollerball perfume inspired by coconut, sunscreen, surf wax, and that sun-washed feeling after a day at the beach.
• Sea-Inspired Jewelry: Pearls and hammered-metal designs that feel right at home by the water.
• Leather Accessories: Vintage-inspired belts and leather cuff bracelets that elevate everyday outfits.
• Soft Dresses and Tops: Eyelet cottons, ruffles, silks and cozy sweaters designed for real life, not just the hanger.

—Joshua Logan

Two Birds Books

881 41st Ave., Santa Cruz | 831-900-5588

Two Birds Books opened in late 2020 in Pleasure Point, bringing an independent bookstore back to Santa Cruz’s Eastside at a time when opening any retail business felt like a leap of faith. Co-owners Gary Butler and Denise Silva launched the shop driven by a shared love of books and a belief that print still matters. Butler points out that there isn’t another independent bookstore south of Two Birds until you reach Monterey.

The Gems
• New and Used Books: Carefully curated fiction, nonfiction, sci-fi, literary classics, and kids’ books.
• Snarky Socks: Playful, literary-themed footwear.
• Greeting Cards: Witty, smart cards that actually feel worth sending.
• Puzzles and Games: A rotating selection shows up in their holiday gift guides.

—Joshua Logan

Santa Cruz County’s years-long effort to allow cannabis consumption lounges advanced this week, as the Board of Supervisors revised liability rules—like whether a lounge is responsible for a driving accident after a customer leaves—which could ultimately determine whether lounges ever open at all.

On Dec. 16, county supervisors passed an ordinance tightening regulations for cannabis consumption lounges, including provisions allowing the county to suspend or revoke a lounge’s license if a patron later causes a fatal DUI crash. But the board softened its original approach, giving local officials flexibility to impose suspensions rather than mandatory license revocations—a key shift sought by cannabis representatives.

The ordinance will return to the Board of Supervisors early next year for a second reading and final approval.

As jurisdictions across California continue to wrestle with how to regulate cannabis consumption in ways that protect public safety without unfairly penalizing licensed businesses, the issue of liability has emerged as a central point of debate.

Industry representatives who spoke at the meeting argued that the original language placed responsibility on lounge operators for actions beyond their control.

“This doesn’t seem logical,” said Darren Story,  chief financial officer of Coastal Sun, a Watsonville-based organic farm that grows cannabis and other crops. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Story said the ordinance failed to account for customers who arrive already intoxicated or consume alcohol or other drugs after leaving a lounge. He compared the proposed liability to holding pharmacies responsible if a patient prescribed opiates later caused a DUI crash.

Bryce Berryessa, owner of Treehouse Dispensary and The Hook Outlet, described the original proposal as a “blanket revocation trigger” that exposed business owners to severe penalties regardless of whether cannabis was consumed on site.

“What’s missing is the model used by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control,” Berryessa said. “That’s a behavior standard tied to what the licensee did on site. Your clause doesn’t require any finding that the person consumed at the lounge, doesn’t require over service, doesn’t require a violation by the operator and doesn’t require proof the lounge caused the impairment.”

Berryessa also noted that the ordinance, as initially written, did not provide a clear path for businesses to appeal a license revocation.

Supervisor Justin Cummings echoed concerns about fairness, particularly when comparing cannabis lounges to establishments that serve alcohol.

“This doesn’t even mean they have to consume it on site,” Cummings said. “They could have driven in intoxicated, purchased products, left, and later been involved in an accident—and that retailer loses their license. That’s not fair.”

Cummings said consumption lounges can offer safer, more controlled environments for cannabis use, along with educational components focused on responsible consumption.

“There are instances where there are bad actors, and there may need to be a period of time where people need time out,” he said. “But revocation as the only option doesn’t allow any flexibility.”

In response to concerns raised by supervisors and industry representatives, county staff will revise the ordinance language to more directly tie penalties to evidence that a licensee over-served an intoxicated patron, rather than automatically revoking a license if a patron is later involved in a DUI incident.

The revised ordinance will also adopt a clearer definition of “intoxicated,” modeled after San Francisco’s municipal code, which defines public intoxication not simply as being under the influence, but specifically when that condition makes someone unable to care for their safety or the safety of others or interferes with or obstructs public ways.

Additional amendments include allowing county staff to enter combustion (cannabis smoking) rooms for oversight and enforcement, while prohibiting businesses from requiring employees to enter those rooms as a condition of employment.

Penalties will also be separated between lounge and retail operations, meaning a violation occurring in a consumption lounge would not automatically affect a dispensary’s retail cannabis license. The code will also be amended to allow license suspensions as an enforcement option, rather than revocation being the sole penalty.

The supervisors in November lowered taxes on the industry, which owners said are threatening to put Before that, dispensaries were charged a 7% gross-receipts cannabis business tax on all revenue, including non-cannabis items such as T-shirts, pipes and event tickets, in addition to a 15% state excise tax and a 9.25% sales tax.

Under the revised tax code, dispensaries will no longer pay the cannabis business tax on non-cannabis goods, which will now be subject only to standard sales tax. Sales generated specifically by consumption lounges will be taxed at a new 1% cannabis business tax rate.

“For the new tax provision, we can deduct non-cannabis goods from that total,” Berryessa said. “And they set the cannabis business tax for lounge sales at 1%.”

Berryessa emphasized that consumption lounges are unlikely to be major profit centers.

“I don’t think anyone operating a lounge believes it will be a big money-maker,” he said. “It’s about creating more third spaces—places for people to gather that don’t revolve around alcohol.”

He also argued that legal consumption lounges could reduce public safety concerns by discouraging people from consuming cannabis in cars or other inappropriate settings.

“There’s no public areas where cannabis can be consumed openly, socially,” he said. “What you have is a lot of people who are doing it in public places where they shouldn’t, whether that’s the beach or parks. A significant amount of people who are here are either tourists or renters—they can’t consume in hotels and they can’t consume in their apartments, because it’s a violation of their lease. So, a lot of them drive around in their cars and smoke weed.

“I think that having more third spaces, where people have a safe space to come and consume and get educated, will actually reduce the amount of impaired driving on the roads, because people won’t be getting high in their cars,” he said. “They will come here. They’ll have the opportunity to consume. Hopefully, they’ll hang out until they’re no longer impaired or they have a social situation where they’re going to bring someone who’s not going to be consuming at all.”

Not all supervisors agree. District 2 Supervisor Kim De Serpa has consistently opposed cannabis consumption lounges, citing concerns about impaired driving, enforcement costs and readiness.

“This is not an abstract concept,” De Serpa said. “You let people get super high and then they hop in their cars and pull out onto Soquel Drive, one of the busiest thoroughfares in our community.”

De Serpa opposed modifying the cannabis business tax, arguing that the revenue would be needed to regulate and enforce lounges if they open. She questioned whether adequate training programs exist for budtenders, noting that when the concept was first presented, no formal curriculum had been developed.

County public health officials are now developing a cannabis-specific training program modeled on alcohol safe-serve programs, and Berryessa said Treehouse plans to add additional layers of staff training and certification.

Treehouse has nearly 5,000 square feet above its current retail space that Berryessa hopes to convert into a consumption lounge, a project that would require significant investment in bathrooms, remodeling and ventilation.

“I would say six to 12 months is a reasonable estimate,” Berryessa said, depending on the length of the building-permit process.

In the meantime, Treehouse has already received approval from county and state regulators to host non-smoking cannabis consumption events and hopes to partner with local musicians and producers to host 21-and-over events after regular store hours—potentially as early as January 2026.

With the revised liability framework taking shape, Berryessa said he is cautiously optimistic.

“As long as there are no surprises, we’re excited to start moving forward,” he said. “We hope to have cannabis consumption events and activities scheduled starting next year.”

One week still remains to participate in the annual Santa Cruz Gives fundraising event, which runs until Dec. 31. Below, Village Santa Cruz County shares the details of the program they hope to fund with support from Good Times readers. Also below, other nonprofits share their “elevator pitch,” explaining what they plan to do with the money they raise. To donate to any of these groups, visit santacruzgives.org.

Imagine: Your friend calls, saying she had briefly blacked out and fallen, hitting her head. She is on her way to Dominican Hospital via ambulance. You rush to the emergency room, ready to offer comfort, only to learn that she’s woozy, in and out of consciousness, and unable to provide the hospital with needed information. You know that she has an out-of-town son, but you have no contact information.

Instead of staying to comfort her, you must get back on Highway 1, driving south to her home during rush hour traffic, hoping that you can locate her meds and critical information when you get there.

Life is unpredictable. A medical crisis, dementia or death can leave everyone scrambling. Critical decisions about health, finances or legal matters are hard enough without the stress of searching for documents and passwords.

Village Santa Cruz County is a nonprofit, peer-support group of volunteers dedicated to aging better by increasing our social engagement, connections and mutual support. We share knowledge with each other informally but also with the community through our newsletter, presentations and workshops.

Our Santa Cruz Gives project for 2026, Preparing for Life’s Transitions: Workshops to Gather What’s Most Important, offers a systematic, proven method to organize and consolidate all essential information in one place—hard copy and digital. Topics covered include personal, legal, medical, financial, insurance, real estate, living options, daily living, crisis plan, home health, hospice and end of life.

Imagine:Your 19-year-old child, off to college for the first time, is in a horrible car accident. The hospital calls to inform you that your child is there and unconscious. You ask, “How are they? What is their status?” The nurse says, “I’m sorry, but I am not authorized to provide you with any information or allow you to make any decisions, unless you have the proper legal forms.”

Proactive planning for life’s transitions can save time, money, and heartache later. This is a gift for yourself and a legacy of care and responsibility for the people you love.

Our Santa Cruz Gives fundraising will raise money for the license and materials to offer this program to the Santa Cruz community. Please support our effort; go to santacruzgives.org. To learn more about Village Santa Cruz County, visit our homepage at villagesantacruz.org.

HOUSING

Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay—“Building affordable homes with a volunteer-led labor force and providing financing at closing for low-income, first-time homebuyers allows us to keep our local families local. For example, we recently provided mortgage assistance to a single-income household of seven and another single-income family of five on their first homes. We also have an affordable housing development to build 13 affordable homes starting in early 2026 in Watsonville on Evan Circle, and with interest rates and construction costs constantly on the rise, we are always seeking more funds to increase the affordable housing supply in Santa Cruz County.” —Scott Thomas, community impact manager

Homeless Garden Project—“Now in its 35th year, Homeless Garden Project is doing what it has long helped their unhoused clients do: find a home. After years of searching for a permanent home, HGP is beginning to cultivate annual vegetable production in its new footprint at its current site, Natural Bridges Farm. Homeless Garden Project hopes to gain the final entitlements needed to purchase 4 acres of farm land to build their permanent, consolidated site on the west side. Also of note is our forthcoming manual, Homeless Garden Project: A Guide to Transitional Employment and Therapeutic Agriculture, so that communities around the world can adopt their innovative model in their community.” —Paul Goldberg

Housing Santa Cruz County—“I spoke to a group of 30 families about housing advocacy, and I saw something heartbreaking yet powerful: a yearning for stability and home held back by barriers. That night, I planted a seed: everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. When I was invited back a few months later, I saw that the seed had begun to bloom, with hope in their eyes, voices raised, and a belief that change is possible.” —Elaine Johnson, executive director, Housing Santa Cruz County

Long Term Recovery Group of Santa Cruz County—“Five years after the devastating CZU Lightning Fire, many families still face a steep uphill battle to rebuild due to insufficient insurance, with only a fraction of homes completed. Our project—Rebuilding Homes, Restoring Hope—tackles this challenge by mobilizing dedicated volunteers and a licensed general contractor to bring fire survivors home. With your support through Santa Cruz Gives, we can build four homes over the next two years, turning profound loss into a powerful story of recovery and resilience.” —Tonje Wold-Switzer, executive director

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services—“We are helping adults become self-sufficient and end the cycle of homelessness for their children. On average 79% of families that come through PVSS move into permanent housing—those results are more than twice the average for similar programs in SC County.  Single mother Ana no longer has to search for a safe place to park the family car each night. She no longer has to put her children to bed in the back seat.” —Benna Dimig

Wings Homeless Advocacy—“Imagine finally getting housed after spending months (or maybe even years) outside, but your children are still sleeping on the floor. For too many of our newly housed neighbors, like Sandra and her two kids, that’s the reality they face on their first night indoors. Wings Advocacy’s ‘Welcome Home’ program aims to change that by delivering beds and bedding so that the first night inside feels like home.” —Naiana Brum