The 2026 Lookout List: Family & Pets

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… Dentist for Kids Hair Salon for Kids Kids Dance Studio Kids Movement/Gymnastics Studio Kids’ Clothing Store Pet & Feed Store Pet Boarding Pet Grooming Photographer for Family Portraits Place for Teens to Bank Place to Celebrate a Child’s Birthday Place to Take Your Kids on a Rainy Day Store for a Kids Birthday Gift Summer Camp for Creative Kids Summer Camp for Outdoorsy Kids Tutor Service Veterinarian Youth Art Program Youth Music Program Youth Volunteer Program 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.” Back to all Family & Pets categories 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 Back to all Family & Pets categories 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. Back to all Family & Pets categories 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 Back to all Family & Pets categories 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.” Back to all Family & Pets categories 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. Back to all Family & Pets categories 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.” Back to all Family & Pets categories 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 831-535-2420 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. Back to all Family & Pets categories Favorite Photographer for Family Portraits Winner: Beaming Birth Photography [email protected] 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 [email protected] Clients say Maddy Malee’s portraits feel “natural and unposed, the kind of photos people actually hang up instead of leaving in a folder.” Back to all Family & Pets categories 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.” Back to all Family & Pets categories 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!” FROM THE LOOKOUT NEWSROOM Santa Cruz Roller Palladium still provides timeless fun after 75 years Beyond corn dogs and funnel cakes: Inside the food revolution at the Boardwalk Back to all Family & Pets categories 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.” Back to all Family & Pets categories 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. Back to all Family & Pets categories 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 Back to all Family & Pets categories 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. Back to all Family & Pets categories Favorite Tutor Service Winner: Charlie’s Porch 1135 17th Ave., Suite 101, Santa Cruz Families say Cha