Santa Cruz, California Local Gift Guide

For Anyone: 

Ride out the Wave is a great online resource to buy local gift cards. There are plenty of options that can be purchased online. Check them out here.

Indie book shops need our help!!! And who doesn't love a great book? My fave bookshop is Bookshop Santa Cruz. There are lots of ways to give the gift of reading. Gift cards, books or purchase tickets for an upcoming virtual book event. Bookshop Santa Cruz offers online ordering and curbside pickup. Check them out here. They have also created handy gift guides for adults and kids. 

Ethos in Capitola Village has a wide variety of low-waste gifts. This a great spot for anyone who loves beauty products or low waste home solutions. They even have pet toys. They have created a great gift guide. Check it out here. They offer curbside pickup and local delivery. 

Staff of Life is a great local store that has yummy food but also lots of gift and home items. A local gift basket, wine or a gift card would make a great gift. Check out their website for details.

For Beauty Lovers:

Nudi Goods is a wonderful low-waste cosmetics company. They have wonderful gifts like lip balms, mascara and candles. Check them out here or at Ethos in Capitola Village. 

Hip and Chick in Santa Cruz has some delicious body products and candles. They have online and in store purchasing options. Find their holiday collection here. 

For Kids:

Wonderland Toys is the cutest spot and the owners are super helpful and friendly. They have lots of items perfect for stocking stuffers as well as educational toys and games. Visit them online or in person. 

Also, check out Bookshop Santa Cruz here. They have also created a kids gift guide. 

For Jewelry Lovers:

Laguna Jewelry makes beautiful one of a kind pieces. You can follow her creation process on Instagram, it’s super fun to see the final product. Check out her website here. 

Many Hands Gallery in Capitola sells lots of different items from artists in the local area. It’s a good spot to pick up gifts for people with all different styles. Make sure to check out the jewelry made by my good friend Alena Byrnes. Find the gallery opening hours here. 

For Coffee Lovers:

There are so many amazing local coffee shops in Santa Cruz. My favorite is the Ugly Mug. They offer gift cards here.  While you are there make sure to pick up some Bella Biscotti. It's delicious. 

If you want to gift the gift of coffee beans my favorite local pick is Cat and Cloud. They have 4 locations throughout Santa Cruz County and they also offer coffee subscriptions you can mail to your out of area friends and family. Find their coffee here. 

For Beer Lovers: 

Beer Thirty in Soquel has a wide variety of beers, ciders and other beverages you can purchase and gift this holiday season. They also offer gift cards. Check them out.

For the Health Conscious:

Nordic Naturals, a company based in Watsonville employs over 150 local residents. They have plenty of options for great stocking stuffers and wellness gifts. You can purchase online, at Staff of Life or your favorite local health food store. 

Santa Cruz Core is my go to place for massage and wellness. They have 2 Santa Cruz County locations. They offer all sorts of services and super friendly staff who can help you pick a great service to gift to a loved one. I have had multiple appointments their since summer and I was really impressed by their covid precautions. Check them out here. 

I know that purchasing local is a privilege not everyone has. If there is an item you must get from a big box retailer try and do it in the local store. This helps support local employees from your community. 

I created this gift guide to help support my favorite local businesses. I chose all of the options based on personal experience and was not influenced by any store or brand to promote their products or services. Comment below if you have any local recommendations of your own!