The 2026 Lookout List: Health & Self-Care

Where are the best places in Santa Cruz County to take care of yourself? Readers voted, and these 2026 Lookout List Health & Self-Care winners and runners-up are their picks, from dentists, chiropractors and physical therapists to hair salons, massage, spas and yoga instructors. Whether you’re overdue for a checkup or a pedicure, start here.

The Details

Find more Lookout List winners here.

Find your favorite…

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractor
• Dentist
• Esthetician
• Full Service Hair Salon
• Group Exercise Instructor
• Hair Salon for Curly Hair
• Hair Salon for Vivid Color
• Manicure / Pedicure
• Massage
• Medi-Spa / Health Center
• Naturopath
• Optometrist
• Orthodontist
• Physical Therapist
• Physical Trainer
• Solo Self-Care Day
• Spa
• Therapist/Counselor
• Yoga/Pilates Instructor
• Favorite Acupuncture
• Winner:
• Ava Zack Acupuncture Inc
• 1537 Pacific Ave., Suite 300-H, Santa Cruz

Patients say Ava Zack listens closely, treats each person with care and brings “extensive knowledge and excellent diagnostic skill” to every visit. One called her “the best acupuncturist I’ve tried,” adding: “I always walk out feeling 10x better.” Another said she “does safely bridge the gap between Chinese Medicine and what we call ‘modern medicine.'”

• Runner-up:
• Points For Wellness
• 5161 Soquel Drive, Suite C, Soquel

Patients say Beth Dorsey “treats the whole person,” helping clients make small adjustments that add up. One credited the practice’s acupuncture and lifestyle changes with getting “all my labs to read in normal range.”

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Chiropractor
• Winner:
• Golden Chiropractic
• 9053 Soquel Drive, Suite A, Aptos

Patients say Dr. Goldi Jacques-Maynes “takes time with each patient, you never feel rushed,” and one wrote, “She’s the only one I trust with my spine and neck.” Fans also praise the care, kindness and “all around good vibes.”

• Runner-up:
• Rhythm Health & Performance
• 3912 Portola Drive, Suite 13, Santa Cruz

Patients say Dr. Joe Thompson is “thoughtful, passionate, informative” and a “calming presence.”

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Dentist
• Winner:
• Dientes Community Dental

Clinics at 1830 Commercial Way and 1500 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz Patients praise Dientes’ “amazing care + staff” and its mission of “affordable, lasting oral health for all.”

• Runner-up:
• Raffo Dental — Dr. Michael Raffo
• 2185 41st Ave., Capitola

Patients say Dr. Raffo and his team are “pleasant, punctual, attentive and best of all, competent!”

FROM THE LOOKOUT NEWSROOM

Dientes opens second Watsonville clinic, expanding dental care for more patients Back to all Health & Self-Care categories Favorite Esthetician Winner:

Waves to Woods Skin Care

312 Capitola Ave., Suite E, Capitola

Clients say Andrea’s quiet, soothing studio and expert skill leave them with “fresh glowing skin” and a better understanding of how to care for it between visits. “At 76 I have had many facials and Andrea is really the best,” one wrote. “How lucky we are to have her services in Capitola.”

• Runner-up:
• Yoso Wellness Spa
• 740 Front St., Suite 110, Santa Cruz

Clients say Yoso’s facials “go beyond just the skin” to become “a whole body experience,” using organic products in a beautiful, calming space. “I always leave feeling so refreshed,” one wrote.

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Full Service Hair Salon
• Winner:
• Urban Groove
• 575 Seventh Ave., Suite A, Santa Cruz
• One client calls Rezo Smith “the best hairstylist in SCC!”
• Runner-up:
• Faust Salon Scotts Valley
• 219 Mount Hermon Road, Suite A1, Scotts Valley
• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Group Exercise Instructor
• Winner:
• Toadal Fitness — Carina Reid

Teaches at Toadal Fitness, which has six locations around the county Fans say Carina Reid is “full of energy,” keeps every class “fun, safe, and effective” and “plays great music.” As one put it: “Motivation Central!”

• Runner-up:
• CrossFit Up — Aaron August
• 2724 Soquel Ave., Suite C, Santa Cruz

Members say Aaron August is “always positive, has great cues, and makes every class fun,” and that he gets to know every athlete, even in a big, rowdy class.

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Hair Salon for Curly Hair
• Winner:
• Dang Suite Hair
• 1220-A 41st Ave. Suite 7, Capitola

Clients say Stacie Keil knows curly hair and color, really listens and teaches clients how to care for their curls. One Lookout reader who voted for Dang Suite called Keil “a sweetheart!”

• Runner-up:
• Ritual Curl Studio
• 303 Potrero St., Santa Cruz

Clients say owner and hair specialist Noelle Weatherwax “truly has a gift.” One wrote: “Noelle is the best I’ve ever had, and I am 81 years old!”

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Hair Salon for Vivid Color
• Winner:
• The Nook
• 920 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz

Clients say the Nook’s talented stylists “do a wonderful job with color, whether it is an avant guard look you’re going for or just some highlights.” Several gave a shout-out to stylist Aisha Brown.

• Runner-up:
• Lavish Salon
• 602 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Manicure / Pedicure
• Winner:
• Tracy’s
• 1420 41st Ave., Capitola

“They know how to take care of me,” one client wrote, recommending Amy for nails and a great neck massage.

• Runner-up:
• Nash Nails
• 4639 Soquel Drive, Soquel
• Fans have one name for you: “Fatima!! The best.”
• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Massage
• Winner:
• Five Branches University
• 200 Seventh Ave., Suite 115, Santa Cruz

“They know what they’re doing,” one voter wrote of this university clinic specializing in traditional Chinese medical massages.

• Runner-up:
• Aurea Bodywork
• 5905 Soquel Drive, No. 3, Soquel

Clients say Ashley is intuitive, thorough and compassionate. “She is one of the best things I do for myself,” one monthly client wrote.

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Medi-Spa / Health Center
• Winner:
• Yoso Wellness Spa
• 740 Front St., Suite 110, Santa Cruz

Fans say “it just feels so good to walk in the doors” at Yoso, a full-service health and wellness center with amazing staff and treatments.

• Runner-up:
• Nurture Women’s Health & Fertility
• 5161 Soquel Drive, Suite C, Soquel

Patients say Nurture is warm and welcoming. “I never feel rushed or like I’m just a number,” one wrote. “Every visit feels personal, comfortable, and genuinely caring.”

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Naturopath
• Winner:
• Points For Wellness
• 5161 Soquel Drive, Suite C, Soquel

Patients praise the “warm, informative, comprehensive care” from Beth Dorsey and Gabby, and one said simply: “They gave me a health plan that has worked!”

• Runner-up:
• Nurture Women’s Health & Fertility
• 5161 Soquel Drive, Suite C, Soquel

Patients say Nurture’s “approach to patients and their needs is unparalleled,” with great staff and individual care.

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Optometrist
• Winner:
• EyeQ Optometry
• 1101 Pacific Ave., Suite E, Santa Cruz

Patients praise EyeQ’s excellent optometrists, calm atmosphere and great selection of frames, and note that “they give back to the community through an amazing amount of charity care.”

• Runner-up:
• Plaza Lane Optometry
• 1537 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz

Patients praise Plaza Lane’s “quality, thoughtful eye care,” its best-in-town selection of frames and a practice that’s great with kids and families. “Dr. Jen is cool,” one added.

• Back to all Health & Self-Care categories
• Favorite Orthodontist
• Winner:
• Sea Glass Orthodontics
• 824 Mission St., Santa Cruz

Families say Dr. Sophie Logan and her team bring “top-tier professionalism, incredible warmth, and crystal-clear guidance to every single visit,” and work to keep treatment affordable. One parent says the office’s playlist and cheerful staff make visits feel “kind of like a fun social gathering.”