THE 10 BEST Santa Cruz Gift & Specialty Shops
Gift & Specialty Shops in Santa Cruz
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Shopping
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18 places sorted by traveler favorites
Speciality & Gift Shops • Factory Outlets
Speciality & Gift Shops • Lessons & Workshops
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
Speciality & Gift Shops
What travelers are saying
- ScottSan Francisco, CA5,173 contributionsBest book shop on the planet. One of the few remaining big, brick-and-mortar bookshops. One-hundred-percent covid-19 safety compliant, and determined to stay that way. They actually have a person watching the door to make sure everyone that enters sanitize their hands and does not consume food or beverages inside the store.Written May 9, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Laura Jean E1 contributionWe visited the shop a couple of weeks ago & from the outside, even the inside it doesn't look like much. The treats though are delicious. My daughter & grandchildren had the Salted carmel ice cream bar. They were all in agreement that it was superb! Everyone wanted more! We were all given a free sample of chocolate when we first got there, the man behind the counter was extremely nice & helpful. I ended up getting a bar of dark chocolate salted carmal almond. I didn't eat it until I got back home in Indiana . It was so good, I'm kicking myself for not trying it there because I would have gotten more. Its right down the street from Mission BBQ, on the opposite side of the road. Worth a stop!Written August 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TravelorTwo221Jackson, CA118 contributionsSusan knows a lot about fresh olive oils and was very informative about the olive oil quality and what not to do with olive oil. Large selection of oils, vinegars and other items. Loved it and will return when our oils are gone!Written February 4, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- miniFremont, CA176,137 contributionsWe went to the downtown area of Santa Cruz. This is where there are restaurats, cafes, some stores, and movie theaters.Written October 9, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- niteowljuneHuntersville, NC3,503 contributionsAll the Patagonia merchandise you would dare to see in one place other than at their Flagship Store in Ventura which is another wonderful destination. If you like Patagonia clothing, you would love this store.Written July 5, 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- aaannna🍽Vacaville, CA234 contributionsI loved this place ! The staff is super nice and the place is clean. I ordered a 2 scoop hot fudge sundae. Pistachio and Rocky Road. The pistachios in the ice cream were big and quite tasty 😋. The rocky road was delicious. I loved the hot fudge. It was a bit chewy and thick. My grandson had a doubled dipped Oreo and finished it. Next time I’m in Santa Cruz I will definitely return for some 🍨.Written June 25, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JPARINGIT15 contributionsOur vacations consist of relaxation as well as hunting for the best nurseries this place is absolutely amazing , The staff is extremely knowledgeable, very deceiving from the outside you would figure it was a small quaint nursery until you walk in it’s absolutely beautiful inside has a large area with a huge selection of indoor plants a room full of goodies pots miscellaneous for gardening tennis secret door lead you outside into a large outdoor area with the most beautiful outdoor plants !Written April 29, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jenLeCreateVista, CA398 contributionsWe always wanted to visit here but were always going thru Santa Cruz in the morning or later in the evening (they are open 11-4). This time we decided to make a road trip up to just Santa Cruz so we could finally check it out. Wow - so glad we did. Ended up going in a couple of times during our stay.
Located in downtown SC with plenty of street parking, just a little storefront that does not do justice to all inside. Everyone probably knows the health benefits, culinary benefits, spiritual benefits but that only scratches the surface of this amazing fungus. (and you thought fungus was a bad thing). Will let you explore all mycelium (mushrooms are the fruit) does for us in our life.
Inside the store is everything mushroom - small cafe w/ amazing food and drinks (get the mushroom coffee), books, clothing, grow kits, spawn and fresh as well as dried mushrooms by the pound. But maybe the best part is the people working in here were so knowledgeable and helpful (and patient w/ all of our questions.
After about 2 hours in the store, we walked out w/ a book (they have books by all the mushroom experts (Stamets, Arora etc.), good food (did I mention the coffee?), some fresh as well as dried mushrooms and our heads filled w/ inspiration. Since this visit, we just recently ordered a couple of their mushroom grow kits (lion's mane). Have been growing mushrooms for a little while now and learning, learning, learning. Next plan is to get out foraging.
They have another store in SF and a farm is Moss Landing. Waiting for the ML farm to open up their farm tours again (closed due to covid). They did have a recent book signing there but by the time I found out about it, all tickets sold out. Apparently we are not the only ones in love with mushrooms.
A stop here would benefit you more than you realize. What are you waiting for?Written July 13, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Susan HTacoma, WA2,606 contributionsPrices are a bit high, but they do have some fun and interesting candies. I tried the chocolate covered bacon @19.99 per pound. It was very good! Great little stop for a quick treat on the Boardwalk.Written September 8, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ward DSatellite Beach, FL2,684 contributionsThis store is right on the wharf. There is parking right on the wharf outside the shop. Inside the store has a lot of merchandise. The prices were very reasonable. The staff was friendly. We liked it so much we drove 50 miles to visit again and purchase another gift for our daughter. If you want souvenirs in the Santa Cruz area, this is a good place to get them.Written March 20, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SPW777Boiling Springs, NC225 contributionsMarini’s Candies location on the Santa Cruz pier is a delight for the candy lover. The variety is huge and service was friendly and prompt. We enjoyed their salt water taffy and cotton candy after eating lunch nearby. A visit to the seaside should include Marini’s!Written June 9, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TawnyrvalOntario, CA1,518 contributionsSanta Cruz Bay Company is a souvenir shop in Santa Cruz located right on the pier. There are many shops around but this was the only shop that had reasonable prices. Well, I can’t exactly say that because the prices are crazy high but they did have a nice beach sweater on sale so I bought 2. The customer service was nice, the young lady was nice to give us more info of things to do.
If you’ve never been walk further down the pier and watch the SEALS!!Written October 15, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz
- These places are best for gift & specialty shops in Santa Cruz:
- Bookshop Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz Downtown
- Richard Donnelly's Chocolate
- Marini’s Candies Downtown
- The True Olive Connection
See what travelers are asking
Forum posts were selected by looking for forum titles asking specific questions and taking the top showtopic page by total pageviews as the optimal topic.
So I havent seen this post recently. Debating the merits of staying in Santa Cruz vs Capitola.
We are are a sports team of 15- 16 yr old boys traveling from Orange County ,ca to the area in end of July. Games can range from being in Sc, Aptos, cabrillo and San Lorenzo. We will be in the area for four days with some down time in the evenings.
Hotels are expensive in both areas. Looking into the Fairfield inn in Capitola (rates ave ~$300 but with breakfast & bocci ball court) with some of chain restaurants like chipotle & mall nearby.
The other option to to get a hotel in SC possibly Hotel Paradox in the higher end (~$330 but no breakfast) or Holiday Inn or Hyatt place same price as FI.
Pls lmk your thoughts of what would be a better city SC or C?
Would like a hotel where parents & kids have a nice common area to congregate during down time.
Also would like to have the boys have access to fun things to do during down time & have access to good food options since 16 yrs old boys playing sports are always hungry.
Will the team with 30+ people be frustrated trying to get into a non chain restaurant in Sc?
Hotel P is off the beaten path & expensive but has nicer facilities like pool area with nice lounge area. Is the hotel worth the extra $?
Any appreciate suggestions on the hotel I mentioned or any others that I have may have overlooked.
Thank you for your advice.
We are are a sports team of 15- 16 yr old boys traveling from Orange County ,ca to the area in end of July. Games can range from being in Sc, Aptos, cabrillo and San Lorenzo. We will be in the area for four days with some down time in the evenings.
Hotels are expensive in both areas. Looking into the Fairfield inn in Capitola (rates ave ~$300 but with breakfast & bocci ball court) with some of chain restaurants like chipotle & mall nearby.
The other option to to get a hotel in SC possibly Hotel Paradox in the higher end (~$330 but no breakfast) or Holiday Inn or Hyatt place same price as FI.
Pls lmk your thoughts of what would be a better city SC or C?
Would like a hotel where parents & kids have a nice common area to congregate during down time.
Also would like to have the boys have access to fun things to do during down time & have access to good food options since 16 yrs old boys playing sports are always hungry.
Will the team with 30+ people be frustrated trying to get into a non chain restaurant in Sc?
Hotel P is off the beaten path & expensive but has nicer facilities like pool area with nice lounge area. Is the hotel worth the extra $?
Any appreciate suggestions on the hotel I mentioned or any others that I have may have overlooked.
Thank you for your advice.
Answer: There is not much for boys that age in Capitola. Its core is a small village with boutique shopping. The hotel itself is on busy 41st Avenue, not very near the village. The mall you speak of is considering going out of business and turning into something else. It has a couple of semi-fast food restaurants. It is not something the boys could walk to from the Fairfield Inn, or has anything of interest to them, IMO.
The Holiday Inn Express in Santa Cruz is not near anything for the boys except Denny's :~). It is on Ocean Street as you come into the town. The Paradox is a new remake of a Holiday Inn and it screams 'businessmen'. It is also on Ocean Avenue, but further down and just across San Lorenzo Park (about two or three blocks) from the main street of town, Pacific Avenue, with lots of restaurants of various kinds, two movie theaters, ice cream parlors, a cookie company, pizza, etc.
Have you looked into the Dream Inn? This is of the same quality as, or better than, the others but near the Wharf and a block from the Boardwalk, an old fashioned historic amusement park with no admission charge.
The hotel has a pool and faces a beach. Surfing lessons happen there. There are volleyball nets set up on part of the beach near the Boardwalk. During the summer there are free movies and concerts and aerial acts at various times on the main beach there. Of your choices, I really think this is the best. It is not inexpensive, but I think it might be in the same ballpark as the Paradox. The boys *could* walk to Pacific Avenue from here, but it is about 8 or 9 blocks to the main area .
The Hyatt is new and I know nothing about it except its location. It is on the west side and not really convenient to activities for the boys.
I am going to give you a link to a traveler article on Santa Cruz. Trip Advisor has stopped supporting these, so there is a disclaimer that the information may be outdated. The information in this article is not outdated. I will be re-writing it to put in my own files.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g33048-c133677/Santa-Cruz:California:Santa.Cruz.Sights.And.Activities.html
Good luck and let me know if I can be of help....
Edit. The Paradox is not in a "shady area of town". Yes, homeless people do hang out in San Lorenzo Park, but there is no reason for the boys to go there. If you should pick that hotel they can walk on city streets, quite safely, to get to Pacific Avenue...
The Holiday Inn Express in Santa Cruz is not near anything for the boys except Denny's :~). It is on Ocean Street as you come into the town. The Paradox is a new remake of a Holiday Inn and it screams 'businessmen'. It is also on Ocean Avenue, but further down and just across San Lorenzo Park (about two or three blocks) from the main street of town, Pacific Avenue, with lots of restaurants of various kinds, two movie theaters, ice cream parlors, a cookie company, pizza, etc.
Have you looked into the Dream Inn? This is of the same quality as, or better than, the others but near the Wharf and a block from the Boardwalk, an old fashioned historic amusement park with no admission charge.
The hotel has a pool and faces a beach. Surfing lessons happen there. There are volleyball nets set up on part of the beach near the Boardwalk. During the summer there are free movies and concerts and aerial acts at various times on the main beach there. Of your choices, I really think this is the best. It is not inexpensive, but I think it might be in the same ballpark as the Paradox. The boys *could* walk to Pacific Avenue from here, but it is about 8 or 9 blocks to the main area .
The Hyatt is new and I know nothing about it except its location. It is on the west side and not really convenient to activities for the boys.
I am going to give you a link to a traveler article on Santa Cruz. Trip Advisor has stopped supporting these, so there is a disclaimer that the information may be outdated. The information in this article is not outdated. I will be re-writing it to put in my own files.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g33048-c133677/Santa-Cruz:California:Santa.Cruz.Sights.And.Activities.html
Good luck and let me know if I can be of help....
Edit. The Paradox is not in a "shady area of town". Yes, homeless people do hang out in San Lorenzo Park, but there is no reason for the boys to go there. If you should pick that hotel they can walk on city streets, quite safely, to get to Pacific Avenue...
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