Where are the best places in Santa Cruz County for kids and pets? Readers voted, and these 2026 Lookout List Family & Pets winners and runners-up are their picks, from kids’ dentists, summer camps and rainy-day hangouts to veterinarians, groomers and pet boarding. For anyone wrangling toddlers and/or tortoises around town, start here. Find more Lookout List winners here.
Find your favorite…
Favorite Dentist for Kids
Winner: Capitola Kids Dentistry
2001 40th Ave., Suite G, Capitola
This pediatric dentist team run by Dr. Seth Reder took home our voters’ top prize for the category.
Runner-up: Dientes Community Dental
Clinics at 1830 Commercial Way and 1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz
Parents say Dientes offers great prices and really helpful staff, and “my kids love going.”
Favorite Hair Salon for Kids
Winner: The Nook
920 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
Clients say The Nook has “always good vibes and great haircuts,” with friendly service and “a safe space for everyone.”
Runner-up: Cookie’s Cutters
16 Victor Square, Suite B, Scotts Valley
Favorite Kids Dance Studio
Winner: Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center
1060 River St., Suite 110, Santa Cruz
Families describe the Tannery as “the most nurturing, thoughtful, caring community,” with exceptional teachers, diverse dance styles and scholarships that open the door to more kids. It’s a great fit, one former student said, “for kids who don’t want to do competitive dance but want to be pushed to grow.” One parent said the program “has transformed our daughter’s confidence.”
Runner-up: International Academy of Dance
320 Encinal St., Santa Cruz
Families love how “family oriented” the academy is, with kind, creative teachers and strong ballet preparation, plus a motto, “Dance for joy,” that fans say fits.
Favorite Kids Movement/Gymnastics Studio
Winner: June Bug’s Gym
3910 Portola Drive, Suites 2 & 3, Santa Cruz
Parents praise the great environment, the “sweet team” and parent night.
Runner-up: Santa Cruz Gymnastics
2750 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
Favorite Kids’ Clothing Store
Winner: Hope’s Closet of Santa Cruz
2555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz
Shoppers like the variety of designs for kids.
Runner-up: Pacific Wave
1502 Pacific Ave. and 623 Swift St., Santa Cruz
Parents call it the “only place in town for all the best styles and brands for kids.”
Favorite Pet & Feed Store
Winner: Pet Pals
3660 Soquel Drive, Suite A, Soquel
Pet owners praise Pet Pals’ good prices, well-stocked shelves and “personable and knowledgeable staff.”
Runner-up: Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
9550 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
Shoppers say they can “always find what you need” in Mountain Feed’s huge selection of quality goods, with knowledgeable, friendly staff.
Favorite Pet Boarding
Winner: Bed and Biscuits
2625 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz
Pet owners trust Bed and Biscuits’ good reputation and say they love the staff.
Runner-up: Pacific Paw
Fans say Pacific Paw is clean and fun, run by owners who “obviously love dogs.” One the team “top professionals who have always taken the best care of our pets.”
Favorite Pet Grooming
Winner: Bed and Biscuits
2625 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz
Dog owners say Bed and Biscuits does excellent work with a super-friendly staff.
“Dog always looks exactly how I want,” one wrote.
Runner-up: Pawsitive Styles
One fan wrote that their dog loves her spa day, and that there’s “no one else as careful and loving to my pet” as Lynsey and her team.
Favorite Photographer for Family Portraits
Winner: Beaming Birth Photography
beamingbirthandphoto@gmail.com
Families say Chloe captures “the energy, warmth, and emotions” of moments that are fleeting, from maternity photos to the birth of a child. Clients call her professional, artistic and an expert with newborns.
Runner-up: Maddy Malee Photography
Clients say Maddy Malee’s portraits feel “natural and unposed, the kind of photos people actually hang up instead of leaving in a folder.”
Favorite Place for Teens to Bank
Winner: Bay Federal Credit Union
Branches across Santa Cruz County, including 420 River St., Santa Cruz
Families note Bay Federal’s free accounts for minors. One member has banked there since getting a first debit card, “and all of my family goes here.”
Runner-up: Santa Cruz Community Credit Union
55 River St., Santa Cruz, and 2750 41st Ave., Soquel
Voters like that it’s a local credit union with a “super friendly staff.”
Favorite Place to Celebrate a Child’s Birthday
Winner: Roller Palladium
1606 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz
Parents say it’s an affordable venue for a private kids’ party, and “having the whole place for family and friends and no strangers makes it very special.”
Runner-up: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
“Obvious!” one voter wrote. Another: “So many things for the kids to do!”
Favorite Place to Take Your Kids on a Rainy Day
Winner: Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz
“LOVED going here as a kid,” one voter wrote.
Runner-up: The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery
1855 41st Ave., No. 10, Capitola
Parents say the museum offers “hours of educational entertainment.”
Favorite Store for a Kids Birthday Gift
Winner: Childish
1127 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
Shoppers call Childish “such a fun toy store,” with a nice staff and diverse gifts and educational toys.
Runner-up: Wonderland Toys
19 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos
Shoppers praise the great items, customer service and free gift wrap.
Favorite Summer Camp for Creative Kids
Winner: Community Music School of Santa Cruz
Classes and camps around Santa Cruz; call 831-426-9155.
One parent said the school’s camps “completely changed both of my kids’ relationships to music,” leaving them comfortable, excited to play with other kids and counting down to next summer.
Runner-up: Art Factory Studios
7960 Soquel Drive, Suite D, Aptos
Favorite Summer Camp for Outdoorsy Kids
Winner: Life Lab
UC Santa Cruz campus, 160 Farm Road, Santa Cruz
Parents rave about Life Lab’s wonderful counselors and hands-on outdoor learning, where kids plant, grow and harvest fruits and vegetables and get to know everything “from plants to chickens.” One 7-year-old loved the bug race and homemade smoothies so much she’s already asked for an extra week next summer.
Runner-up: Santa Cruz SPCA
2601 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz
“Animals and camp! What could be better!” one fan wrote. Voters say kids spend their days outside walking shelter dogs and meeting chickens and horses while learning compassion, confidence and responsibility.
Favorite Tutor Service
Winner: Charlie’s Porch
1135 17th Ave., Suite 101, Santa Cruz
Families say Charlie’s Porch’s patient, caring tutors tailor lessons to each student and create “a space where learning from mistakes is the best way to learn.” One grandparent reported a grandson who went “from just barely passing math with D- grade to an A,” and others praise the homeschool class.
Runner-up: Expressive Learning
4340 Scotts Valley Drive, Suite C, Scotts Valley
Favorite Veterinarian
Winner: Coast Veterinary Services
4788 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley
Pet owners call the vets and staff “compassionate and patient,” praising the locally owned, women-led practice for “high quality medicine and client service.” One client has followed Dr. Tamara Abraham “through 5 moves.”
Runner-up: Westside Animal Hospital
411 Laurel St., Santa Cruz
Pet owners describe a knowledgeable, friendly and caring staff “in a space that feels homey.”
Favorite Youth Art Program
Winner: Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
9341 Mill St., Ben Lomond
Runner-up: Studio Sprout
960 Hanover St., Santa Cruz
Favorite Youth Music Program
Winner: Community Music School of Santa Cruz
Classes and camps around Santa Cruz; call 831-426-9155.
One parent said the school’s camps “completely changed both of my kids’ relationships to music.”
Runner-up: Mountain Music School
216 Mount Hermon Road, Suite A, Scotts Valley
Parents say Mountain Music School’s “inspiring teachers” are “dedicated to making learning music fun and engaging.”
Favorite Youth Volunteer Program
Winner: Santa Cruz SPCA
2601 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz
Voters say the SPCA’s youth programs let kids and teens “make a real difference for animals while building leadership, empathy, and real-world job skills,” with options for a range of ages.
Runner-up: Teen Kitchen Project
2890 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
“Teens gain such confidence learning to cook!” one voter wrote. Another, a recipient of the program’s meals, said simply: “They’ve helped me out a lot.”
