The 2026 Lookout List: Home & Business Services

Whether you’re looking for a house painter, a roofer, a real estate agent, a CPA, a home inspector, a solar panel installer or a specialist to fix whatever problem arises, the Lookout List: Home & Business Services winners show Santa Cruz County has a wealth of talent. Read more about the Lookout List here . Find your favorite … Alterations and Mending Attorney / Lawyer Auto Dealer Contractor CPA / Accountant Door / Window Supply Electrician Event Photographer Financial Advisor Flooring Supply & Installation Framers Full Service Car Wash Garden Center Hardware Supply Home Inspection Hotel House Painter Housekeeping Company HVAC Company Insurance Agent Interior Design Junk Hauler Landscaping Company Local Financial Institution Mobile Notary Mortgage Broker Pest Exterminator Pharmacy Piercing Studio Plumber Real Estate Agent — Aptos/Soquel Real Estate Agent — Capitola/Live Oak Real Estate Agent — San Lorenzo Valley Real Estate Agent — Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent — Scotts Valley Real Estate Agent — Watsonville Real Estate Brokerage Real Estate Team Roofing Service Senior Homecare Senior Living Community Solar Company Tattoo Studio Title & Escrow Company Water Store Wedding Venue Favorite Alterations and Mending Winner: Sew Sew Maria 285 Water St., Santa Cruz Customers praise Sew Sew Maria’s quick service, good prices and friendly staff for projects big and small — from drapes to wedding dresses. Runner-up: Almar Cleaners 847 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz Longtime customers call the family-run Almar Cleaners convenient, friendly and quick. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Attorney / Lawyer Winner: Beautiful Life Estate Planning — Ashley Thompson 5274 Scotts Valley Drive, Suite 202, Scotts Valley Clients say Ashley Thompson “covers ALL the details” and “explains complicated issues in an excellent, understandable way,” making estate planning “smooth, easy, and even at times a fun process.” Runner-up: Fine Point Law 113 Cooper St., Santa Cruz Clients praise the woman-owned firm’s community presence. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Auto Dealer Winner: Santa Cruz Toyota 4200 Auto Plaza Drive, Capitola Customers say the team at Santa Cruz Toyota is “pleasant and helpful,” with great service and quality cars. “I just trust them, through four Toyotas and counting,” one wrote. Runner-up: Ocean Honda 3801 Soquel Drive, Soquel Customers call Ocean Honda honest, and one said salesman Chris O’Connell “is amazing and looks out for his customers.” Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Contractor Winner: Testorff Construction 9047 Soquel Drive, Aptos “They do beautiful work!” one voter wrote. Another gave a shout-out to Pete. Runner-up: Nielsen Studios 1509 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz Voters call the team “great listeners and problem solvers.” Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite CPA / Accountant Winner: Platt, Miller & Jacobs — Cate Miller 901 Center St., Santa Cruz Clients praise “excellent and competent services over many years.” Runner-up: Walters and Kondrasheff 4 Carbonero Way, Suite A, Scotts Valley Clients say “they catch things you miss.” Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Door / Window Supply Winner: Santa Cruz Millwork 310 Coral St., Suite A, Santa Cruz Lookout List voters say Santa Cruz Millwork’s “service and knowledge is exceptional.” Runner-up: Aptos Glass 402 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos The family-owned shop has handled glass, windows and mirrors since 1991. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Electrician Winner: Hammer Electric Call 831-588-2493 . Customers say Hammer Electric “saves me money” with great advice, reasonable prices and excellent work. Runner-up: Evolve Electric 34 Janis Way, Unit H, Scotts Valley Customers praise Evolve’s great, friendly and responsive service. “We love Tony!!!” one wrote. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Event Photographer Winner: Alicia Telfer Book sessions through her website . Clients say Alicia Telfer is “imaginative and shoots in exciting places,” and is “so fun to work with.” One voter says they come back every year for family photos. Runner-up: Rebecca Stark Photography Reach out via email at [email protected] or call 831-325-4183 . One client’s verdict: “Beautiful work!” Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Financial Advisor Winner: Ohana Wealth Management 2901 Park Ave., Suite B1, Soquel Clients praise good returns and good communication, and say Alison McClure “is great to work with!” Runner-up: Cheryl Rebottaro — Edward Jones 221 Mount Hermon Road, Suite F, Scotts Valley Rebottaro listens closely and helps clients meet their goals, one reviewer said. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Flooring Supply & Installation Winner: Bay Area Floors 4000 Cordelia Lane, Soquel One Lookout List voter praised its “helpful employees” and its willingness to work with you and your budget. Runner-up: Santa Cruz Flooring & Design 1221 Ocean St., Santa Cruz One customer praised its “beautiful work” at reasonable prices. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Framers Winner: Lenz Arts 142 River St., Santa Cruz Customers call Lenz “a staple in Santa Cruz,” with so many options and a staff that can help “when you don’t know what would look good.” Runner-up: York Framing 619 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Customers love this woman-owned framer’s reliable work and best-in-town pricing. “Robin has a good eye,” one wrote. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Full Service Car Wash Winner: Whaler’s Car Wash 2001 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz Regulars say Whaler’s is fast and convenient and does great work, with “adequate space to sit outside in the sunshine on a warm day” while you wait. Runner-up: Splash Car Wash 2110 41st Ave., Capitola Customers praise Splash’s excellent service. “My car always looks immaculate,” one wrote. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Garden Center Winner: Mountain Feed & Farm Supply 9550 Highway 9, Ben Lomond Gardeners love Mountain Feed’s “beautiful plants in a beautiful place,” and its great variety of plants and garden supplies at good prices. One fan called it “eclectic,” with a full complement of plants. Runner-up: Dig Gardens 420 Water St., Santa Cruz Shoppers say Dig is “just lovely and has unusual plants,” with great customer service and very helpful staff. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Hardware Supply Winner: Ace Hardware Ace stores include 1214 Soquel Ave. and 849 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz Voters praise their local Ace stores, from Seabright to Mission Street to Scotts Valley, for very helpful staff, great stock and “great selection even in their smaller stores.” One called the Seabright store “a gem.” Runner-up: San Lorenzo Lumber & Home Center 235 River St., Santa Cruz Customers praise San Lorenzo Lumber’s very helpful staff and large selection. “Love ACE, but San Lorenzo is bigger with more variety,” one wrote. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Home Inspection Winner: Pillar to Post Home Inspectors Call 831-884-6160 to book an inspection. Home buyers praise Pillar to Post’s thorough work, quick turnaround and great communication. One voter gave a shout-out to Paige for being “easy to work with.” Runner-up: Santa Cruz Property Inspections Call 831-247-5641 to book an inspection. Online reviewers say inspector Jorel is punctual and easy to book on short notice. Back to all Home & Business Services categories Favorite Hotel Winner: Chaminade Resort & Spa 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz Voters love Chaminade’s views, beautiful grounds, great amenities and spa days. One local often puts visiting friends up there. Runner-