The 2025 Lookout List: Home & Business Services

Santa Cruz County runs on local entrepreneurship, and our readers know who they trust to get the job done right. From contractors and real estate pros to home improvement experts, tattoo and piercing studios, photographers and CPAs, the 2025 Lookout List: Home & Business Services winners and runner-ups showcase the people and businesses that keep Santa Cruz County thriving. Thank you to all voters who left behind comments on their local favorites, find their submissions below. Find more Lookout List winners here.

Favorite Alterations and Mending

Winner: Sew Sew Maria

285 Water St., Santa Cruz, 95060

“Reliable” and “very experienced.”

Runner-up: Almar Cleaners

847 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz 95060

Favorite Wedding Venue

Winner: Seascape Resort

1 Seascape Resort Dr., Aptos 95003

“How can you beat those views of the ocean.”

Runner-up: Hollins House

20 Clubhouse Rd. Santa Cruz 95060

Favorite Event Photographer

Winner: Becky Foy Photography

“She is a true professional!”

Runner-up: Santa Cruz Digital Photobooth

Favorite Piercing Studio

Winner: Amory Body Arts

1720 Brommer St., Santa Cruz 95062

4101 Soquel Dr., Soquel 95073

Favorite Tattoo Studio

Winner: Black Pearl Tattoo

1135 17th Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

Runner-up: Fog City Tattoo

1624 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

Favorite Contractor for ADUs

Winner: Santa Cruz Green Builders

303 Potrero St., Suite 45-105, Santa Cruz 95060

“Great team!”

Runner-up: Testorff Construction, Inc.

9047 Soquel Dr., Aptos 95003

Favorite Contractor for Home Remodels

Winner: Santa Cruz Green Builders

303 Potrero St., Suite 45-105, Santa Cruz 95060

“High-quality work!”

Runner-up: Harris & Son Construction

408-209-2909

Favorite Contractor for Home Repairs

Winner: Talmadge Construction

8070 Soquel Dr., Aptos 95003

“Best in town on quality of service.”

Runner-up: Testorff Construction, Inc.

9047 Soquel Dr., Aptos 95003

Favorite CPA or Accounting Firm

Winner: Seghetti Waxler

749 37th Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“Professionalism, attention to detail and genuine commitment to their clients.”

Runner-up: Candace Ebert & Co.

749 37th Ave., Suite 101, Santa Cruz 95062

Favorite Attorney/Lawyer

Winner: Dina Hoffman – Attorney at Law

740 Front St., Suite 305, Santa Cruz 95060

“She’s a real professional and also a lovely person to work with.”

Runner-up: Ashley Thompson – Beautiful Life Estate Planning

5274 Scotts Valley Dr., Suite 202, Scotts Valley 95066

Favorite Auto Dealer

Winner: Santa Cruz Toyota

4200 Auto Plaza Dr., Capitola 95010

“Negotiated with me (a young woman) without making me feel anything but a valued customer.”

Runner-up: North Bay Ford

1999 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

Favorite Car Wash

Winner: Whalers Car Wash

2001 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“They do an excellent job, they have a great waiting space with truly funny birthday cards. Also good wi-fi so I get work done there.”

Runner-up: Splash Car Wash

2110 41st Ave., Capitola, 95010

Favorite Door/Window Supply

Winner: Aptos Glass

402 Trout Gulch Rd., Aptos 95003

“Best customer service with quality work!”

Runner-up: Delta Glass

1811 Freedom Blvd, Freedom 95019

Favorite Electrician

Winner: Phil Allegri Electric

3980 Research Park Ct., Suite E, Soquel 95073

“Used them twice. Good work, communication. Fair prices.”

Runner-up: Shaffer Electric

831-246-0197

Favorite Flooring Supply & Installation

Winner: Bay Area Floors & Interiors

4000 Cordelia Lane, Soquel 95073

Runner-up: Interior Vision Flooring & Design

2800 Daubenbiss Ave., Soquel 95073

Lookout Staff Pick: Favorite Flooring Supply & Installation – Chris Haltom Floors

Granted, I do not have extensive experience working with flooring contractors. But after my husband and I were lucky enough to replace our old carpets with hardwood floors this year, I couldn’t have imagined a better experience than working with the team at Chris Haltom Floors. Throughout the process, they were communicative, extremely professional and offered what we thought was a fair and accurate price. They completed the project within the timeline, and were easy to reach when we had questions. Juan Jose in particular was friendly and shared abundant information. The end result is gorgeous and enduring. – Lily Belli

Favorite Framers

Winner: Lenz Arts

142 River St., Santa Cruz 95060

“Lenz does great framing, has excellent supplies and the staff are generally knowledgeable. I know they will do it right.”

Runner-up: York Framing Gallery

619 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

Favorite Garden Center

Winner: San Lorenzo Garden Center

235 River St., Santa Cruz 95060

“The starts collection is always fresh, with good variety and a very good selection of seeds.”

Runner-up: Dig Gardens

420 Water St., Santa Cruz 95060

Favorite Hardware Supply

Winner: Ace Hardware

Multiple Santa Cruz County locations

“The people there are so helpful and knowledgeable.”

Runner-up: Outdoor Supply Hardware

1601 41st Ave., Capitola 95010

Favorite Landscaper

Winner: K&D Landscaping

62c Hangar Way, Watsonville 95076

“Best design build” and “excellent water management program.”

Runner-up: Terra Nova Landscaping

831-425-3514

Favorite Home Inspection

Winner: Pillar to Post Home Inspectors

831-884-6160

“Just the best in the industry and easy to work with!” and “Paige and Andrew are the best! They far exceed expectations!”

Runner-up: Santa Cruz Property Inspections

3401 Roland Dr., Santa Cruz 95062

Favorite House Painter

Winner: AndSon Painting

831-295-0532

Runner-up: Garvey Painting

831-818-0207

Favorite Housekeeping Company

Winner: Maxima’s Cleaners

520 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

Runner-up: Clean Home Clean Mind

831-234-0563

Favorite HVAC Company

Winner: Bogner HVAC

2106 Freedom Blvd., Freedom 95019

Runner-up: The Furnace Room

2951 Research Park Dr., Soquel 95073

Favorite Insurance Agent

Winner: Lydia Harville – State Farm

1044 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“Kind, helpful and always ready to answer all my questions!”

Runner-up: Tanner Tedsen – Farmers Insurance

4835 Soquel Dr., Soquel 95073

Favorite Interior Design

Winner: Santa Cruz Green Builders

303 Potrero St., Suite 45-105, Santa Cruz 95060

“High-quality work” and a “great team!”

Runner-up: Viewpoint Design

105 Locust St., Suite C, Santa Cruz 95060

Favorite Junk Hauler

Winner: Just Junkin

1420 41st Ave., Capitola 95010

“Honest, reliable and known for their respectable reputation in the community. Justin, the owner, leads with integrity and manages both of his businesses with care and dedication. In addition to Just Junkin, Justin owns a thrift store, Just Thriftin, located in Capitola Mall, it is more than just a retail space — it’s a hub for giving back.”

Runner-up: Santa Cruz Junk Removal

831-235-8024

Favorite Local Financial Institution

Winner: Bay Federal Credit Union

Multiple Santa Cruz County locations

“My bank since 1989 with good financial literacy training for kids.”

“Incredible personal service! They always go above and beyond.”

Runner-up: West Coast Community Bank

Multiple Santa Cruz County locations

Favorite Financial Advisor

Winner: Ohana Wealth Management

2901 Park Ave., B1, Soquel 95073

“Trustworthy” and “Allison is very professional.”

Runner-up: Cheryl Rebottaro – Edward Jones

221 Mount Hermon Rd., Suite F, Scotts Valley 95066

Favorite Mobile Notary

Winner: Corvin’s Legal Services

1840 41st Ave., Suite 205, Capitola 95010

“Cami goes beyond making my clients feel comfortable and heard!”

Runner-up: Christina Wise Mobile Notary

831-588-0540

Favorite Mortgage Broker

Winner: Bay Federal Credit Union

Multiple Santa Cruz County locations

“Great service” and “good people.”

Runner-up: CrossCountry Mortgage

133 Mission St., Suite 210, Santa Cruz 95060

Favorite Real Estate Brokerage

Winner: David Lyng Real Estate

1041 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 95062
129 Water St., Unit 15, Santa Cruz 95060

“The real estate agents are extremely professional.”

Runner-up: Keller Williams Thrive Santa Cruz

1360 41st Ave. Unit A, Capitola 95010

Favorite Title & Escrow Company

Winner: First American Title

330 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“BEST service in town” and “very organized.”

Runner-up:
Old Republic

511 Water St., Santa Cruz 95060

Favorite Real Estate Team

Winner: Brooke & Kasey Hinchman

1041 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“Fantastic team all around. Great communication, super efficient media coverage of our property, and they have great contacts to complete all steps of a purchase and a sale quickly.”

Runner-up: Larson Team

4061 Soquel Dr., Suite C, Soquel 95073

Favorite Realtor – Aptos/Soquel

Winner: Jessyka Sommers

1041 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“She is so upbeat, friendly and helpful!!”

Runner-up: Caroll Basile

9119 Soquel Dr., Aptos 95003

Favorite Realtor – Capitola/Live Oak

Winner: Jessyka Sommers

1041 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“I have used her services multiple times, for selling and buying. She knows her stuff, very hard worker and so trustworthy!!”

Runner-up: Amy Jeske

124 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos 95003

Favorite Realtor – San Lorenzo Valley

Winner: Shemeika Fox

1130 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“One of the best. Great YouTube channel. Very professional.”

Runner-up: Maureen Kendall

1041 41st Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

Favorite Realtor – Santa Cruz

Winner: Aurora Wonder Lowe

1360 41st Ave., Unit A, Capitola 95010

“Stellar negotiator and knowledgeable across all of Santa Cruz County. Aurora is authentic and will have your best interest in your real estate transactions!”

Runner-up: Loren Morse – eXp Realty

4061 Soquel Dr., Suite C, Soquel 95073

Favorite Realtor – Scotts Valley

Winner: Shemeika Fox

1130 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz 95062

“She sold us our forever HOME in 2005 (her first one). Over the past 20 years she has become a great friend! She is so informed and communicative and has really grown in this field. It has been a pleasure watching this lovely person succeed and be so humble and grateful to everyone.”

Runner-up: Greg Lukina

5522 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley 95066

Favorite Realtor – Watsonville

Winner: John Skillicorn

124 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, CA 95003

“His unwavering integrity, deep real estate expertise, and insider knowledge of the Watsonville area make him my go-to choice for exceptional service in all real estate needs.”