Good Times Holiday Gift Guide 2022

EDITOR’S NOTE

through these pages and the first thing you’ll see are dozens and dozens of gifts for all types of people—there’s a reason we call it the Holiday Gift Guide, after all. But I really encourage you to pull up a chair (or chaise lounge, or café barstool, or whatever) and spend some time with this. I think you’ll find it’s not just about gift ideas, but also why we give gifts in the first place, and how we relate to the many different types of people in our lives. Kudos to these writers for delivering not just shopping options, but also funny and relatable observations about life, the universe and everything. Happy holidays!

Gifts for the

ART LOVER

A few weeks ago, I went to my first-ever live model drawing class at the Santa Cruz Art League. As a novice to all things art, I was surprised by the welcoming atmosphere, which made my first experience comfortable, even as I self-consciously presented my modest attempt at figure drawing to fellow artists whose work belongs in galleries. All in all, it was a great evening, and one that novice and experienced artists alike will enjoy. The class I went to was a drop-in, but the league also offers workshops for artists interested in specific mediums, and would make a great gift for those artists looking to delve deeper into their craft. Buy a class as a standalone gift, or pair it with a gift-certificate to the Palace Art & Office store, which is always well-stocked with a range of materials for artists. Or buy a present while supporting local artists and enjoying a fun evening at the Tannery’s First Friday, which features local artwork, along with sculptures and pottery pieces. AM

ART CLASS

Santa Cruz Art League

526 Broadway, Santa Cruz 831-426-5787

scal.org $20-$200

ARTWORK

Tannery Arts Center

1010 River St., Santa Cruz 831-621-6226

tanneryartscenter.org $20 and up

ART SUPPLIES

Palace Art & Office

1501 41st Ave., Capitola 831-464-2700

palaceartsupply.com

$10-$100

Gifts for the

BEER GEEK

Located across from the bumpin’ Felton Music Hall and magical Mountain Spirit is Humble Sea’s newest venture (they also have locations in Santa Cruz and Pacifica) the Humble Sea Tavern. The front porch is swamped on weekends, but it’s a perfect spot to sip some tasty brew and watch the world go by. The city of Santa Cruz gets all the attention, but the mountain towns have got their own vibe and style. And, if you just want to get some beers to go, you can pick up a four pack of Socks & Sandals, a pale ale that has the flavor of orange juice, lemon-lime and pineapple. Meanwhile, East Cliff Village Shopping Plaza’s Greater Purpose Brewing Company has a big outdoor patio, food trucks on the weekends, adopt-a-doggie every Sunday, drag bingo on Thursdays and comedy every Friday and Saturday. And, oh yeah, brewmaster Shamus Mooney crafts some of the best pints in the county. And while the Westside is now hopping with wineries, breweries and dispensaries, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing was one of the first to make it the place to be. Its popular comedy show on Wednesdays is a hit with UCSC students, and its dog-friendly vibe makes it a local go-to spot (be sure to say hi to its resident dog Burns). Juice Box is one of their most popular beers, and a four-pack makes a great gift. DNA

Humble Sea Tavern

6256 Hwy 9, Felton 831-704-2150 humblesea.com $22

Greater

21517 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz 831-713-5540 greaterpurposebrewing.com $8

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing

402 Ingalls St. #27, Santa Cruz 831-425-4900 scmbrew.com $22

BOOKWORM

George Saunders’ Liberation Day marks his first collection in a decade. It was worth the wait. As one of the country’s most significant contemporary short story writers, the acclaimed author’s audiobooks have been known to attract dozens of notable readers; his latest is no exception. Tina Fey, Jenny Slate and Michael McKean are just a few of several celebs who appear throughout Saunders’ latest nine tales about people we feel like we’ve met sometime before. For bibliophiles, Bad Animal always delivers. The Childlike Life of the Black Tarantula by The Black Tarantula—aka Kathy Acker, dubbed the “Iggy Pop of transgressive literature”—is one heck of an obscure find. Direct in tone but lacking any true literary style, Tarantula the book is as cryptic as Tarantula the author. Award-winning poet Javier Zamora’s epic memoir Solito is a reminder that truth can be more captivating than fiction. The Salvadorian recounts the nine-week quest he endured as a young child to reach his parents in “La USA.” Each day was riddled with new strangers, unforgiving deserts, guns, helicopters, loneliness and simply not knowing what would be next. Zamora reminds us that sometimes, unconditional love is all a kid wants. AJ

Gifts for the

CHEF

The flecks of dirt on a head of lettuce tell the chef in your life of the soil and its farmers. The meal she shares brings her together with you—this evening, I will reach for my sister’s homemade cookbook and remember to call her soon. However you slice it, cooking connects us, and the right gift can strengthen those community bonds. A gift of herbs and flours from the Homeless Garden Project, for instance, goes to support farm training for our neighbors experiencing homelessness, while a custom-engraved cutting board reminds your chef of your shared memories with every stroke of the knife. And what embodies togetherness better than fungi, whose sprawling underground networks, science has told us, link the trees in some forests? A grow kit from Far West Fungi, tended well, could bring your chef up to four pounds of culinary mushrooms over a few weeks. SC

MUSHROOM MINI-FARM GROW KIT

Far West Fungi

224 Laurel St., Ste. A101, Santa Cruz 831-226-2626 farwestfungi.com $25

SEASONINGS AND BAKING MIXES

Homeless Garden Project

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

homelessgardenproject.org $10-$12 per item

CUSTOM CUTTING BOARD

ENGRAVING

Santa Cruz Engraving

802 Estates Drive, #110D, Aptos 831-252-0150 santacruzengraving.com Prices Vary

Gifts for the

CHOCOHOLIC

The chocoholic in your life no doubt has an obsession, perhaps to an unhealthy extent (hence the “holic”), with their vice of choice. Potentially bad news for them, but good news for you. Because any form of the stuff is a sure bet to adequately feed their addiction, even if it’s…vegan? A pint of dark chocolate sorbet from Penny Ice Creamery has creaminess and richness that will have your giftee’s mind lit up with pleasure, yet boggled at how they do it without dairy. Or go for a large gourmet box from the locally legendary Mackenzie’s Chocolates, with over 40 diverse pieces—including milk and dark, creams, nuts and truffles. And a gift certificate to Chocolate, the renowned downtown Santa Cruz restaurant, treats them to an experience. The dessert menu is obviously rife with chocolate choices sure to scratch your chocoholic’s itch, but there are also plenty of chocolatey choices on the savory and cocktail menu, as well. AHS

DARK CHOCOLATE VEGAN SORBET

Penny Ice Creamery

820 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 831-204-2523 pennyicecreamery.com $10.50/pint

Mackenzie’s Chocolates

1492 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 831-425-1492 mackenzieschocolate.com

$51.50

Chocolate (The Restaurant)

1522 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-427-9900 chocolatetherestaurant.com $100 suggested

Gifts for the

For some, coffee is more than just a tool to wake up in the morning. It’s a treat. A passion. A way of life. As a coffee lover (and former barista) myself, I am always on the lookout for new coffee shops, equipment and the newest brewing trends. From a simple, perfectly pulled shot of espresso to a sugary frozen concoction, we’re lucky to have plenty to choose from in Santa Cruz County. Swing by Honeylux Coffee, a new coffee shop in Watsonville, and pick up a gift card, or pop into popular kitchen store Toque Blanche in downtown Santa Cruz for a stovetop espresso maker (my personal favorite way to brew). And check out Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting, a regular at many local farmers markets, who offers delicious batches of freshly roasted, organic beans that you can order online and have shipped right to your door. Ready, set, brew! JM

fINo ALUMINUM SToVeToP

eSPReSSo MAKeR

Toque Blanche 1527 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-426-1351 mytoque.com $25

GIf T CARd

Honeylux Coffee

45 Aviation Way, Ste. B, Watsonville 831-345-2947 honeylux-coffee.square.site

LoMA

PRIeTA BLeNd

Hidden Fortress Coffee Roasting 125 Hangar Way, Ste 270, Watsonville hiddenfortresscoffee.com $16-$34

Gifts for the

Crafter

This summer, for the first time in over a decade, I decided to pick up a crochet hook and yarn and get to work. While I haven’t been diligent at practicing every day (or even week, for that matter), having a crafty hobby has been both fun and relaxing in between the hustle and bustle of the workweek. Whether it’s crochet, sewing, stationary, or even woodcarving, there are a lot of options for what to gift the crafter in your life this holiday season. Yarn Shop Santa Cruz, a new discovery of mine, is a small, independent shop offering a variety of needles and hooks—including ergonomic models that ease the strain on tired fingers and wrists. Or maybe stop by Beverly’s Fabrics & Crafts in Capitola for a number of origami varieties, including kits to make origami puppets. Looking to gift an entire project to your friend or family member? Felton’s Crooked Beauty Maker’s Space & Art Place is offering unique Craft Kits. Let’s get crafty! JM

CLOVer NeeDLeCraft erGONOMIC CrOCHet HOOK

Yarn Shop Santa Cruz

765 Cedar St., #103, Santa Cruz 831-515-7966

yarnshopsantacruz.com $9.95

Craft KItS

Crooked Beauty Maker’s Space & Art Place

6225 Hwy 9, Felton 831-704-7945

crookedbeautyart.com $10-$20

OrIGaMI PaP er

Beverly’s Fabrics & Crafts

100 Cotton Lane, Soquel 831-475-2811 beverlys.com $5-$7

Z I N N I A ' S G I F T B O U T I Q U E & H O M E B Y Z I N N I A ' S

Y o u r o n e s t o p s h o p ' s f o r a l l t h i n g s C h r i s t m a s ! G e t t h e p e r f e c t g i f t f o r h i m , h e r , t h e k i d s , t h e c o w o r k e r , a n d a n y o n e e l s e o n y o u r l i s t a l l i n S c o t t s V a l l e y ! O p e n l a t e a n d a l w a y s o f f e r i n g c o m p l i m e n t a r y g i f t w r a p !

Gifts for the

CYCLIST

Be honest: given gas prices lately, who hasn’t considered cycling more? Despite a few wonky intersections and bumpy bike lanes, Santa Cruz has plenty to offer cyclists, from the exhilaration of bombing down UCSC’s Great Meadow to the serenity of West Cliff Drive at sunset. A few accessories can help your loved ones make the most of these rides. Want to keep their ears alert to passing traffic, even as they listen to music or smartphone directions? Pedal by Spokesman Bicycles for some Shokz Aeropex bone conduction headphones. Or maybe last week’s ride painted your friend’s mountain bike with its umpteenth coat of mud — it’s nothing a Muc-Off Kit from Another Bike Shop can’t handle. For the cyclist who’s also a chef or bookworm, a set of Ortlieb bags from Epicenter Cycling will last for years, keeping groceries, books and whatever else you can fit inside safe and dry. SC

SHOKZ AEROPEX

Spokesman Bicycles

231 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz 831-429-6062 spokesmanbicycles.com $160

MUC-OFF 8-IN-1 BICYCLE CLEANING KIT

Another Bike Shop

2361 Mission St., Santa Cruz 831-427-2232 anotherbikeshop.com $74.49

ORTLIEB BACK-ROLLER

CLASSIC (PAIR)

Epicenter Cycling

1730 Mission St., Santa Cruz 831-423-9000 epicentercycling.com $190-$200

Gifts for the

ENVIRONMENTALIST

Gifting with sustainability in mind can be puzzling. After all, isn’t the point to have less stuff? While less is certainly more, few of us lead truly material-free lives. Swapping single-use items with mindfully made substitutions is a step in the right direction. Zero-waste shop Ethos in Capitola can help, with items like bamboo reusable utensil kits in a case made from recycled water bottles. A single month or a subscription to the bicycle-powered Hard Core Compost pickup service reduces food waste and CO2 emissions, and provides high-quality soil in return. And for continuing your environmental education, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, available at Bookshop Santa Cruz, provides an indigenous botanist’s perspective on science, plants and our relationship with the world around us. EM

ONE MONTH OF HARD CORE COMPOST PICKUP

Hard Core Compost

703 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-295-8294 compost.bike $30/month

BAMBOO REUSABLE UTENSILS KIT

Ethos Santa Cruz 101 Capitola Ave., Capitola 831-854-2490 ethossantacruz.com $15

‘BRAIDING

SWEETGRASS: INDIGENOUS WISDOM, SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, AND THE TEACHINGS OF PLANTS’

Bookshop Santa Cruz

1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-423-0900 bookshopsantacruz.com $20

Gifts for the

EROTIC

ENTHUSIAST

“Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation,” Henry Miller once exclaimed. “The other eight are unimportant.” Human desire, of every form, will never cease. Even when embedded in humor, erotica is erotic—this sentiment is evident at one of Santa Cruz’s adult novelty staples, Frenchy’s. While The Dirtiest Coloring Book would make a fun—and blush-inducing—activity for a group of friends, the very NSFW images are intricate, high-quality works of art begging couples, or any iteration of people, to grab some crayons and get to work! It’s okay to color outside of the lines. For those not in the mood for coloring, Romantic Nights for Two’s Tarot Cards for Lovers features 78 beautifully illustrated “Sex Fortune Cards” that claim to “accurately predict” the sexual future of the night. Suppose you’re looking for a gift that’s genuinely “moving,” Good Vibrations’ Magic Wand Mini offers three rumbly speeds, intuitive controls and a rechargeable battery. Also, it has multiple uses; one of the top reviews states, “I've actually ended up using this more on my neck than anywhere else.” AJ

‘THE DIRTIEST COLORING BOOK EVER’

Frenchy's Adult Gift Store

3960 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz 831-475-9221 frenchys.com $14.95

TAROT CARDS FOR LOVERS

Romantic Nights for Two 1714 Brommer St., Santa Cruz 866-568-0020 romanticnightsfortwo.com $17.95

MAGIC WAND MINI

Good Vibrations

111 Cooper St., Santa Cruz 831-466-9870 goodvibes.com $75.95

FITNESS

FANATIC

If you’re on a first-name basis with all the staff at your gym (even Heidi, who deep cleans the dry sauna twice a month), and your pantry contains nothing but Apple Crisp Power Bars and rows of backup Hydro Flasks, you may just be a fitness fanatic. Exercising (especially cardiovascular activity) helps to create new brain cells, boosts self-confidence, and enhances your immune system, so you get sick less often. That’s probably why Santa Cruzans who are addicted to fitness feel and look so dang good all the time. A high-quality, durable hat is a skin-saving must for anyone who loves to soak up the sun, and the UPF50 crushable, floatable Tilley outdoor hat definitely fits the bill. Wear your new favorite headgear on the pickleball court for America’s hottest new sport, and dry off your hot and tired bod with the premium ultra-absorbent “Only Towel You Need” (by Normadix). Jump, sweat, celebrate and rock on! HM

TILLEY OUTDOOR HAT

The Hat Co. 1346 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-458-9585 hatcompanysantacruz.com $92

PICKLE PRO PICKLEBALL STARTER SET

Play it Again Sports 4770 Soquel Drive, Soquel 831-475-1988 playitagainsports.com/locations/soquel-ca $19.99

(30”X72.5”)

Zen Island 825 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 831-477-1220 shopzenisland.com $39.95

Gifts for the

FOODIE

Foodies are all about anything and everything edible, especially if it’s on-trend and outsidethe-box. They may not want to see how the sausage is made, but they will surely love the avant-garde options available at the Pointside Meat Shop like barbeque bacon cheeseburger, garlichoke, smoked cheesy Bavarian and jalapeño blue cheese. Speaking of cheese—which is always a can’t-miss foodie item—get them a fondue kit from Cheese Shop 831. It feeds 3-4 people with a special blend of pre-grated Alpine cheeses, a seasoning/flour mixture and detailed instructions. If the foodie in your life is dipping literally whatever they want into a bowl of melted cheese, they’ll be happy. Let’s not overthink this. Lastly, a poke bowl from Pono is another great option. Poke itself is hot right now, light and delicate yet bursting with umami, and the bowls can also come with other favorite foodie fare like ginger, kimchee, seaweed salad, avocado and sea salt. AHS

ASSORTED SAUSAGES

Pointside Meat Shop

915 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 831-531-8170 $12-$20

FONDUE KIT

Cheese Shop 831

3555 Clares St., Ste. V, Capitola 831-515-7406

cheeseshop831.com $50

POKE BOWL

Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap

3744 Capitola Road, Capitola 831-476-7458

ponokitchenandtap.com $20

GARDENER

The gardener in your life will be grateful for anything that glows up their green thumb, especially if they don’t have to spend any green to get it. For those just getting into the gardening game, or perhaps turning their focus to indoor house plants during the winter, The New Plant Parent is a great book that gifts the knowledge of how to properly care for plants that prefer to stay out of the elements. In that same vein, living walls are all the rage right now, providing that outside-in vibe. A Wallygro Wally Pocket from Dig Gardens is basically a no-leak indoor wall-mounted planter, allowing the gardener in your life to get groovy and vertical with their craft. Or let them decide what plants to add to their arsenal with a gift certificate from Alladin Nursery. Their extensive selection of everything from annuals and perennials, to succulents and fruit or flowering trees will leave the gardener in your life not only gracious, but also genuinely giddy. AHS

‘THE NEW PLANT PARENT’

Two

881 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 831-900-5588 twobirdsbooks.com $27.50

WALLYGRO WALLY POCKET

Dig Gardens

420 Water St., Santa Cruz 831-466-3444 diggardens.com $40-$100 GIFT

Alladin

2905 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville 831-724-7515 alladinnursery.com $100

Gifts for the

Heavy Petter

Do you have someone you know who shares their life with a beloved four-legged family member? Perhaps they have a reptile, a bird or fish. Gifts meant for a person’s pets can mean just as much as those meant for the humans themselves—after all, animal companionship can be vital to our happiness. There are plenty of places across Santa Cruz County to shop for the pet lover in your life this holiday season. Check Out Wishbone Pet Company, an all-natural pet food and supply store in Freedom for freshly baked pet treats (just be careful, they look just like human cookies). Mid-County shoppers might stop by Pet Pals in Capitola for a new, soft-shell pet carrier for your small dog or cat. Or stop by Kelly’s Books in Watsonville for a copy of The Particulars of Peter, a memoir by Kelly Conaboy about her experience living with a rescue pup. JM

FreSHLy BaKeD P et treatS

Wishbone Pet Co.

1994 Freedom Blvd., Freedom 831-722-9474 wishbonepetco.com $2-$6/treat

BerGaN WHeeLeD COMFOrt CarrIer

Pet Pals Discount Pet Food & Supplies

3660 Soquel Drive, Ste. A, Soquel 831-464-8775 petpals.net $78

‘tHe PartICUL arS OF P eter’

Kelly’s Books

1838 Main St., Watsonville 831-728-4139 $18

HIPSTER

One thing every hipster knows is you gotta look good, and the locally owned Get Faded Barbershop puts the dank in swank. From their brewed beer on tap that you can sip while waiting to the craftsmanship that owner Jose Moya expects from everyone at his shop, the experience is the best of the best. Your hipster friend most likely has a beard that needs grooming, and you can get them beard work, hair wash, hot towel, hot lather and face massage for $60. Or you can feed your hipster’s erudite mind with a jasper gemstone said to eliminate negative energy and induce tranquility. It can also get rid of nightmares, but don’t tell them to put it under their pillow, because it’s about the size of a bocce ball. Finally, it’s been 25 years since Pink Floyd released any new recorded music, but their new single comes out in support of the people of Ukraine, and features a lead vocal from Andriy Khiyvnyuk of the Ukrainian band Boombox. It’s hard to be hip in these challenging times, but this Floyd release does not include Russian apologist Roger Waters, so your hipster friends and loved ones can stand on the right side of hipsterocracy. DNA

HAIRCUT AND BEARD TRIM

Get Faded

1007 Cedar St., Santa Cruz 831-600-8958 getfadedsc.com $60

Mountain Spirit

6299 Hwy 9, Felton 831-335-7700 mountainspiritstore.com $44 ‘HEY

939 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-421-9200 streetlightrecords.com $12.95

Gifts for the

DECORATOR

While there are “rules,” interior design is all about what represents you or the person you’re shopping for, and options are key. Home/Work’s assortment of air plants come in various sizes and shapes, but they’re hearty, so they can be displayed in any vessel that jives with a home’s aesthetic. The same goes for Illuminée’s Poldina Pro Micro Table Lamps; there are 10 candied color options, from Capri blue to autumn rust. The die-cast aluminum and polycarbonate diffuser with head touch dimmer makes for atmospheric lighting that’s not overpowering. It also has a charging base, and 120V USB plug adaptor approved for outdoor use. Local artwork is always a home décor no-brainer, but original pieces can often be expensive. Botanic and Luxe’s collection of 11" x 14" (including white border) prints by Santa Cruz artist Sabrina Aramburu highlight several local landmarks, from the Boardwalk to Steamer Lane. At only $40, you’ll have some leftover cash for a killer frame. AJ

AIR PLANTS - VARIOUS

Home/Work

1100 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 831-316-5215 shophomework.com $6+

SABRINA ARAMBURU PRINTS

Botanic and Luxe

701 A Front St., Santa Cruz 831-515-7710

botanicandluxe.com $40

POLDINA PRO MICRO TABLE LAMP

Illuminée Lighting Showroom

402 Ingalls St. #23, Santa Cruz 831-423-1121

illuminee.com $119

Hope Services’ mission is to enable individuals with developmental disabilities to live and participate fully in their communities. They serve approximately 3,500 clients and their families throughout California.

A friendly, light-filled, 4,600 square foot contemporary art gallery in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz showcasing the work of 35+ extraordinary local and regional artists.

From Pigeon Point by Carole Rafferty Silver Spoon #233, The Adolescent by Leslie Lewis Sigler

MUSICIAN

Getting an instrument for a longtime player is risky and almost too personal to attempt, but if money isn’t an object, Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s custom guitars are among the best in the world. Since 1976, they’ve been the go-to for everyone from Tony Rice to Brad Paisley. Founding luthier Richard Hoover’s philosophy is “We are dedicated to the livelihood of your guitar.” Understandably, most folks don’t have thousands to spend on a guitar—enter More Music’s Kala Makala MK-T/PACK Concert Ukulele. For about $100, it's ideal for a budding Jake Shimabukuro. Kala Makala has been the number one uke company in the world for decades, and this beginner package includes a clip-on tuner, gig bag and more. Quality is not sacrificed one iota. The all-mahogany body boasts a dark red hue, and the walnut fingerboard makes it instantly playable. For reggae fans, namely Augustus Pablo, the Starving Musician’s 32B Piano Style Hohner Melodica is the perfect gift for that aspiring musician who can’t choose between harmonica, piano and saxophone. AJ

NEW PARENT

As a new dad, I can say that the following gift ideas come from recent and hard-won experience. Will they work for everyone? Who knows! There may be a new parent who doesn’t love Watsonville’s Little Trends Boutique, if they are out of their minds. And maybe they don’t care about the incredible community programs and classes that Aptos nonprofit Circle Family Center offers to support them, for some reason. Maybe they don’t even care about the relaxation they can find at Sage Float Spa, because they’ve given up completely. Although I’ve only been a father for five months, it’s clear to me that no matter what the recommendation is, and no matter who it comes from, parents will parent however they want to parent. Of course, I’m no different. I know my son isn’t supposed to watch a screen until he’s around 18 months, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t let him watch replays of Brandon Aiyuk sonning A.J. Terrell multiple times during the San Francisco 49ers game on Sunday. You think that’s bad parenting? Some people raise their children to be Raiders fans! TN

EVERYTHING FOR BABIES, TODDLERS AND EXPECTING MOTHERS

Little Trends Boutique 1052 S Green Valley Road, Watsonville littletrendsboutique.com 831-536-5070 Prices vary

MEMBERSHIP

The Circle Family Center 245 Sea Ridge Road, Ste. C, Aptos thecirclefamilycenter.org 831-687-9499 Prices vary 30

41st Ave., Capitola sagefloatspa.com 831-854-2700 Prices vary

Gifts for the

STONER

Iceland may be heralded as the most-weed-lovin’ locale in the world, but delightful-and-warm-little Santa Cruz gives the Northmen a run for their money—ranking way way up there in terms of deep-rooted countercultural activity and cannafanaticism. Pot is finally legal, yo! And it’s friggin everywhere. We reckon that finding a holiday gift for your pothead homie, boss or granny should be pretty easy around these parts. You can go the easy, reliable route and hit one of the area’s dozens of fully stocked local dispensaries (Kindpeoples, Santa Cruz Naturals or The Hook Outlet, to name a few) for an eighth of your beloved’s favorite sticky icky. Or meander down the road less traveled and snag trip-friendly Unicorn or Grateful Dead 3D Art Tapestry (glasses included!) from Go Ask Alice. Meanwhile, Pipe Line has cool, old-school NES controller-shaped silicon jars with two compartments, perfect for storing—or hiding—dab stuff and sticky concentrates. Don’t worry about things too much, though. We’re talking about stoners here—a notoriously easygoing bunch— especially after puff…puff…pass. HM

SUNSHINE JOY 3D ART TAPESTRY

Go Ask Alice

1125 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-469-4372 goaskalicesantacruz.com $39.95

NES SILICON DAB JAR Pipe Line

1130 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-425-7473 $9.95

JIMBO PIZZA FREAK T-SHIRT

Artrageous Clothing Store

3617 Portola Drive #B, Santa Cruz 831-201-4935 artrageoussc.com $24.99

Gifts for the

STUDENT

It’s a bit of a cliché, but the term “starving students” is particularly appropriate here in Santa Cruz County. With high gas prices, inflation and the forever-increasing cost of tuition and living, students are feeling the fiscal pain. Less than 15% of college students rate their general health as excellent, and collectively this year, they owe over $ 1.7 trillion in loans. How’s that for “Bah, humbug?” But financial insecurity and uncertainty may make holiday shopping for the student on your list a bit easier this year—they’ll likely be more thankful for the gifts they receive. Go the budget route with a Floral Smudge Wand from Among the Flowers that will indeed cleanse the funkiness from any dorm or shared living space. Or go huge with a pair of unisex sweatpants from Aviator Nation. The pricey but oh-so-comfy handmade sweats adorned with lightning bolt designs will probably be the last pair your delighted student will ever buy—or wear. Little luxuries are more important than ever these days. HM

MINCING MOCKINGBIRD PREMIUM NOTEBOOK

Artisans and Agency

1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-423-8183 artisanssantacruz.com $24 (Large)

AVIATOR NATION SWEATPANTS

Pacific Trading Co.

1224 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz 831-423-3349 pacific-trading-co.com $156

AMONG THE FLOWERS’ FLORAL SMUDGE WAND

Wallflower Santa Cruz

103 Locust St., Santa Cruz 831-334-3801 wallflowersantacruz.com $20.00

BEACH

The Beach Market is a wonderful place to be for the holidays! Stop in for a delicious wood-fired pizza, sandwich or salad and enjoy the view from our scenic dock. Our market shop has a unique selection of fine gifts, including home decor, bath and body products, jewelry, toys, beach supplies and Crow’s Nest apparel.

Gifts for the

SURFER

While the surfers in your life might suggest a round-trip ticket to Indonesia, rest assured there are plenty of more budget-friendly gift options. To find something cheaper than a flight across the world and more interesting than a lump of wax, check out a few of Santa Cruz’s many surf shops. At Midtown Surf Shop, budding board shapers can hone their skills in the shaping bay alone or take private lessons from Mystic Surfboards shaper John Moore. Wetsuit and board repair kits from Buell Surf Shop prolong the life of surf essentials. And for those who never stop thinking about the water, wall prints of local waves by photographers like Nolan Sullivan, Bryan Garrison at WetFeet Photo and Mei-Li Restani make the waiting time between swells more bearable. EM

TIME IN THE SHAPING BAY

Midtown Surf Shop 1126 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 831-316-7646 midtownsurfshop.com $15/hour

PATCHES AND KITS

Buell Surf Shop 912 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 831-454-8137 buellsurf.com $14-$20

LOCAL WAVE PHOTO PRINTS

Nolan Sullivan nolansullivanphoto.com Bryan Garrison wetfeetphoto.com Mei-Li Restani meilirestani.com $11-$100+

Gifts for the

TECHIE

These friends are, obviously, the most difficult to shop for. A lot of times, they already have everything they want. And when you try to buy them something tech-related, they might scoff at it, give you a half-smile and say, “Wow, you shouldn’t have.” So how about we think a little out of the box for our loveable tech-savvy buddies? Something e-bikey from Watsonville Cyclery, or a community connection with Santa Cruz Works, and maybe something from Santa Cruz Electronics to show off to their new friends. We’ll get them out of their solitary bubbles and into the world where they connect with like-minded people. If that’s not a recipe for innovation, I don’t know what is. TN

ELECTRA BIKES E-BIKE

Watsonville Cyclery 25 E. 5th St., Watsonville watsonvillecyclery.com 831-724-1646

Prices vary ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

Santa Cruz Works 101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz santacruzworks.org

Prices vary TECH TOOLS

Santa Cruz Electronics 2808 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz santacruzelectronics.com 831-479-5444

Prices vary

Gifts for the

VEGAN

Vegans are often treated like outsiders in our very meat-centric culture, so they’ll appreciate how these gifts make them feel like insiders at some very cool spots.

First, the best-kept secret in Santa Cruz for vegan sweets is the vegan chocolate at Shopper’s Corner. It’s just one example of how this truly independent grocer has been doing things differently for almost 85 years. Go to the store and ask for Kate Motroni, who’s in charge of the chocolate section there. She’ll show you the vegan options in their chocolate section—there are a lot—and point out her favorites. Try Manoa Chocolate’s Haupia Coconut Vegan Milk Chocolate, or some of the high-per centage dark chocolates that are vegan from Jcoco or Solstice, or Dick Taylor’s chocolate-coated cherries.

And what could be more insider than a secret menu? There’s one for vegans at Hula’s Island Grill (it also highlights vege tarian and gluten-free options)—all you have to do is ask for it. Since the popular Hawaiian spot also features the best fake-chicken sandwich in Santa Cruz, a gift certificate from Hula’s is a great surprise for the vegan in your life.

And there’s Veg on the Edge, the vegan African/ American fusion restaurant at Abbott Square. There’s nothing secret about this menu, but damn that pumpkin seed stew is amazing. SP

Shopper’s Corner

622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 831-423-1696 shopperscorner.com $12.29

GIFT CARD

Hula’s Island Grill

221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz 831-426-4852 hulastiki.com $25 and up

GIFT CARD

Veg on the Edge

725 Front St., Santa Cruz 831-423-3000 vegontheedge.com $25 and up

Gifts for the

VINOPHILE

Nothing pairs better with a glass of wine than a good book, a duo that only gets better when adding a delicious meal into the mix. That’s why Bad Animal, which is a bookstore and organic wine bar and restaurant, is the epitome of a wine-lovers heaven. A gift certificate to Bad Animal will feel personal to a wine-lover, who will be able to indulge in an evening of food, rare books and, of course, wine. Or, if you want to give the gift of celebration, pop by Birichino, and buy a bottle of bubbly—the Natural Sparkling Carignane Rose is a delicious, toast-worthy wine. To round out the gift, why not add on unique, groovy wine glasses from Capitola boutique Lumen? AM

GIFT CERTIFICATE

Bad Animal

1011 Cedar St., Santa Cruz 831-900-5031 badanimalbooks.com $50-$100

2021 PÉTULANT NATUREL SPARKLING CARIGNANE ROSE

Birichino

204 Church St., Santa Cruz 831-425-4811 birichino.com $27

GROOVY GLASS

Lumen Gallery

112 Capitola Ave., #100, Capitola 831-295-6647 lumengal.com $26

Gifts for the

YOGI

With the events of the past two years, everyone could use some yoga in their life: what better gift can we give than relaxation and self-care? Pleasure Point Yoga is my go-to studio for yoga practice, because it focuses on the workout and the mental health benefits of yoga. The studio also offers one-off workshops to dive deeper into yoga and related practices: there’s an upcoming workshop on nutrition and yoga for better sleep, and also one that incorporates acupuncture with the class. Anyone who has done yoga knows how much props can help with stretching or poses, and Santa Cruz Yoga sells Manduka brand blocks and straps for yogis of all experience levels. And there’s nothing a yogi loves like being comfortable, so stop by Bubble Lounge Boutique for cute and practical yoga pants. AM

MEMBERSHIP OR WORKSHOP

Pleasure Point Yoga

3707 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz 831-479-9642 pleasurepointyoga.com $30-$150

MANDUKA YOGA BLOCKS AND STRAPS

Santa Cruz Yoga

402 Ingalls St., #11, Santa Cruz 831-227-2215 santacruzyoga.net $20-$25

ALO YOGA PANTS

Bubble Lounge Boutique

30 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos 831-708-4100 bubbleloungesc.com $108

NOV. 24 – JAN. 1, 2023

S an Ta C r UZ B eaCH BOardWal K: WI n T er WO nderland

In addition to all the usual fun—including rides, games, arcades, mini-golf and tasty snacks of every variety—things at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk get even better during the holidays. The most popular dude in the world, Santa, will be around for photos, and an enormous, three-story Christmas tree will be decorated, lighting up the night!

Noon-5pm (check website for special events; holiday movies at Neptune’s Stage at 5pm). Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. 831-423-5590. beachboardwalk.com.

NOV. 25-27, DEC. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18

HO l I daY T ree Wal K

Get in the holiday spirit by bringing the family to ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain. Sip hot cocoa while greeting Santa Claus. In town, enjoy winter-themed activities.

Closes after the 8pm train returns. Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton. Free. 831-335-4484. roaringcamp.com.

NOV. 25-26 AND DEC. 3-4, 10-11 AND 16-23

S an Ta C r UZ HO l I daY l IGHTS T ra I n

Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through Santa Cruz streets. Passengers lend their voices to holiday carols and sip spiced cider while Santa visits with the little ones and the young at heart!

4:30pm. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. $44.95; $32.95/children. beachboardwalk. com/holiday-train-rides.

NOV. 25 - DEC. 25 (FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHTS)

HO l I daY l IGHTS

Embark on a half-mile wonderland drive-through packed with holiday eye candy in all directions. Reindeer, snowmen and the big, white-bearded man will attend. Don’t miss out on many magical moments, including lighted tunnels. And you never have to leave the warmth of your car. However, you may want to snag some holiday treats after the ride.

5:30pm, 6:30pm and 7:30pm. Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. 831-724-5671. $20-40. fairgrounds-foundation.org.

Calendar

DEC. 2-3

H er ITaG e HO l I daY C ra FT and GIFT Fa I r

With a trio of large buildings filled with homemade crafts, rare antiques and vintage bric-a-brac, if you can’t find a gift for everyone on your list, you may have had too much eggnog! Food vendors will be serving up mouthwatering goodness, and this year, for the first time, the 45th annual holiday fair is teaming up with the Holiday Lights for a special walk-thru edition (attendees will receive a re-entry handstamp) Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3.

Noon-9pm.SantaCruzCountyFairgrounds(theHarvest,Crosettiand FineArtbuildings),2601E.LakeAve.,Watsonville.831-724-5671.$6;free/ children6andunder.Fairgrounds-foundation.org.

DEC. 3

HO l I daY Parade

The traditional holiday parade is the official kickoff for the winter holidays celebration. One never knows what to expect at the parade, but you can be sure to expect the whole community to show up and have a great time—and of course, at the end of the parade, sitting in an antique fire truck, the man of the hour is welcomed back to Downtown Santa Cruz. 10am-noon. Downtown Santa Cruz. Free. downtownsantacruz. com/do/holiday-parade.

DEC. 10-11

‘TH e n UTC raCK er ’ Balle T WITH l IV e O rCH eST ra

Every child can’t help but be touched by the timeless ballet set on Christmas Eve. And little girls have loved Clara for well over a century. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s renowned score that accompanies the timeless story will be masterfully delivered by the Santa Cruz Ballet’s full orchestra. 1pm and 4:30pm both days. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz. 831-477-1606. $20.50-71.50. scbt.org.

DEC. 26

S an Ta C r UZ CH an UK a H T ra I n

Make sure you arrive early; the menorah will be lit 15 minutes before the train departs. Kosher refreshments will be provided throughout the ride. Play dreidel and enjoy Chanukah stories as the train travels through the streets of downtown Santa Cruz.

5:15pm. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. $44.95; $32.95/children. beachboardwalk.com/holiday-train-rides.