Best of Pajaro Valley 2025 by Weeklys

Tarmo Hannula of

East Lake Animal Clinic

So Doggone

BRING IN THIS AD AND RECEIVE A $10 CREDIT TO YOUR ACCOUNT. VAILD ONE (1) PER CLIENT. *PROMOTION EXPIRES JANUARY 31, 2026.

740 East Lake Ave, Watsonville (831) 724-6391 | www.eastlake-animalclinic.com

Hours: SUNDAY - FRIDAY: 8am - 6pm, SATURDAY: 8am - 5pm

1/2v Ad

hen I ﬁrst moved to Santa Cruz County in 2001 with my girlfriend—now my wife—one of our favorite things to do was check out the annual ‘best of’ sections in the local papers. And seeking new restaurants to satiate our love of trying new foods was not our only driving factor.

We also believe strongly in supporting local businesses, knowing that doing so strengthens our local economy and helps the people whose hard work keeps our communities strong.

I couldn’t be prouder of being a part of a news organization that puts out its own best-of section. I have worked in Watsonville now for nearly two decades, and this vibrant community is like a second home to me.

We are hoping you will join us in congratulating the businesses and organizations herein, and more importantly, in supporting them with your patronage. They certainly deserve it.

CEO

Editor

Director

Creative

Advertising

Editorial

Assistant

Editorial

Cover

Todd Guild Managing News Editor

FAMILY & PETS

Best Animal Adoption Center

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

SILVER

Santa Cruz SPCA

Best Community Volunteer

Barbie Gomez

SILVER

Marcia Hashimoto

BRONZE

Steve Bennett

Best Company to Work For

S. Martinelli & Co.

SILVER

Freedom Meat Lockers

BRONZE Graniterock

Best Day Care

Hearts & Hands

SILVER

A Child’s Garden

Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant

Beer Mule Bottle Shop + Pour House

SILVER Fruition Brewing

Best Family Restaurant

Cowboys Corner Cafe

SILVER

Imura Japanese Restaurant

BRONZE

Miyuki Restaurant

Best Feed Store

The Wishbone Pet Company

Corralitos Feed and Pet Supplies

Best House of Worship

St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish SILVER

Watsonville Buddhist Temple

Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church

Best Nursery School

Hearts & Hands SILVER A Child’s Garden

BRONZE West Coast Sunshine Preschool

Best Pet Supply

Corralitos Feed and Pet Supplies SILVER

Wishbone Pet Company

Best Place for a Date

Imura Japanese Restaurant

SILVER

Miyuki Restaurant

BRONZE The Fish House Bar & Grill

Best Place to Take the Dog

Pinto Lake County Park

SILVER

Fruition Brewing

Best Place to Take the Kids

Santa Cruz County Fair

SILVER

Environmental Science Workshop

BRONZE

Gizdich Ranch

Best Private or Charter School

Watsonville Prep School

SILVER

Moreland Notre Dame School

BRONZE

Salesian Elementary & Junior High

Best Public School

Cabrillo College

SILVER

Linscott Charter School

BRONZE

Watsonville High School

Best Senior Living Community

Valley Heights

SILVER

Independence Square

Best Veterinary Clinic

East Lake Animal Clinic

SILVER

Pajaro Valley Veterinary Hospital

BRONZE

Aptos-Creekside Pet Hospital

FOOD & DRINK

Habit Burger Grill

PLAYTIME Armando Martinez makes his daily rounds with five of his seven dogs at the Pinto Lake County Park’s dog park.

Tarmo

Hannula/The Pajaronian

Best Burrito

El Frijolito

SILVER

Tacos Al Fuego

BRONZE

Santa Rosa Market

Best Butcher Counter

Freedom Meat Lockers

SILVER

Corralitos Market & Sausage Co

BRONZE

D’La Colmena Market & Catering

Best Caterer

D’La Colmena Market & Catering

SILVER

El Frijolito

BRONZE

Five Star Catering

Best

Chef

Lino González, Tacos Al Fuego

SILVER

Tim Silva, Ozzy’s Pizzeria

BRONZE

Gabino Torres, La Perla Del Pacifico

Best Chinese Restaurant

Golden China

SILVER

Happy Garden Restaurant

BRONZE

Hong Kong Garden II

Best Cocktails

Cilantros

SILVER

California Grill

BRONZE

Jalisco Mexican Cuisine

Best Coffeehouse

Honeylux Coffee

SILVER

Coffeeville

BRONZE

Strawberry Patch Cafe

Best Deli or Sandwich Shop

Freedom Meat Lockers

SILVER

Erik’s DeliCafé

BRONZE

Strawberry Patch Cafe

Best Desserts (Restaurant)

California Grill

SILVER

Bagel Café & Bakery

BRONZE

Silver Spur

Best Desserts (Retail)

Gizdich Ranch

SILVER

Freedom Bakery

BRONZE

Michoacán A Pedir De Boca

Best Dining Experience

Imura Japanese Restaurant

SILVER

California Grill

BRONZE

Miyuki Restaurant

Best Donuts

Ms. Donuts & Ice Cream

SILVER

Top Donuts

BRONZE

Donut Basket

A colorful array of donuts is shown at Ms. Donuts, which won best donut in Watsonville.

Best Food Truck

Tacos El Jerry

SILVER

Tacos Los Jacona

BRONZE Hot Birds

Best French Fries

Wooden Nickel Bar & Grill

SILVER

Beer Mule Bottle Shop + Pour House

BRONZE

Freedom Meat Lockers

Best Frozen Yogurt

Yogurtland

Best Grocery Store

Nob Hill

SILVER

Staff of Life

BRONZE

Grocery Outlet

Best Happy Hour

Cilantros

SILVER

Fruition Brewing

BRONZE Applebee’s

Best Healthy Eats

Staff of Life

SILVER

Erik’s DeliCafé

BRONZE

El Valle Produce

Best Horchata

Tacos Al Fuego

SILVER

El Frijolito

BRONZE

Tacos El Jerry

Best Ice Cream

La Michoacana Paleteria y Neveria

SILVER

Michoacán A Pedir De Boca

Best Japanese or Sushi Restaurant

Imura Japanese Restaurant

SILVER

Miyuki Restaurant

BRONZE

Sushi QU

Best Late Night Dining

Tacos Al Fuego

SILVER

Cassidy’s Pizza

BRONZE

Beer Mule Bottle Shop + Pour House

Best Liquor Store

East Lake Food & Liquor

SILVER Barsi’s Liquor Store/ Watsonville Fiesta Liquor

Best Local Food Grower

Lakeside Organic Gardens

SILVER

Gonzalez Berry Farm

BRONZE Dirty Girl Produce

Best Locally Made Food Product

Apple Cider, S. Martinelli & Co.

SILVER

Wine n’ Spice skirt steak, Freedom Meat Lockers

BRONZE

Marinated Tri-Tip, Freedom Meat Lockers

TRUCKIN’ Customers line up at the Tacos El Jerry food truck on Brennan Street in Watsonville. The truck garnered the most votes for best taco truck.

Tarmo Hannula/The

Pajaronian

Best Lunch

California Grill

SILVER

Tacos Al Fuego

BRONZE

Freedom Meat Lockers

Best Mexican Restaurant

El Frijolito

SILVER

Tacos Al Fuego

BRONZE

Jalisco Cuisine

Best New Restaurant

(opened since Jan. 1, 2024)

Ozzy’s Pizzeria

SILVER

Silver Spur

Best Outdoor Dining

Beer Mule Bottle Shop + Pour House

SILVER

Fruition Brewing

BRONZE

Cilantros

Best Pearl Teas

Mr. Z’s Crêpes & Teas

SILVER

Pho Kitchen

Best Pizza

Cassidy’s Pizza

SILVER

Ozzy’s Pizzeria

BRONZE

Slice Project

Best Pozole

Cilantros

SILVER

D’La Colmena Market & Catering

BRONZE

Olivia’s Cafe

Best Produce Stand

El Primo Produce

SILVER

Pajaro Valley Certified Farmers Market

BRONZE Staff of Life

Best Restaurant

Imura Japanese Restaurant

SILVER

Miyuki Restaurant

BRONZE

California Grill

Best Salads

California Grill

SILVER

Erik’s DeliCafé

BRONZE

Tacos Al Fuego

Best Seafood Restaurant

La Perla Del Pacifico

SILVER

Imura Japanese Restaurant

BRONZE

The Fish House Bar & Grill

FRESH Gabino Torres, owner of La Perla del Pacifico, is shown with the restaurant’s in-house dish, Puerto Morelos.

Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian

Best Server

Anani Sandoval, Imura

SILVER

Jennifer “Jenny” Borrego, Miyuki

BRONZE

Manny, Tacos Al Fuego

Best Steaks

Freedom Meat Lockers

SILVER California Grill

BRONZE

Wooden Nickel Bar & Grill

Best Sushi

Imura Japanese Restaurant

SILVER

Miyuki Restaurant

BRONZE

Sushi Garden

Best Taqueria

El Frijolito

SILVER

Tacos Al Fuego

BRONZE

D’La Colmena Market & Catering

Best Thai or Laotian Restaurant

SukhoThai Restaurant

SILVER

Lemongrass Seafood Bar & Grill Thai Cuisine

Best To-Go Eats

Tacos Al Fuego

SILVER

Taylor Brothers Hot Dogs

BRONZE

Staff of Life

Best Vegetarian or Vegan Dishes

Ozzy’s Pizzeria

SILVER (TIE)

Imura Japanese Restaurant

Tacos Al Fuego

Best Winery

El Vaquero Winery

SILVER

Alfaro Family Vineyards

BRONZE

Anatum Winery

FUN

Best Day Trip

Elkhorn Slough Safari

SILVER

Gizdich Ranch

BRONZE

Manresa State Beach

Best Event

Santa Cruz County Fair

SILVER

Watsonville Strawberry Festival

BRONZE

Hanamatsuri Flower Festival

Best Golf Course

Pajaro Valley Golf Club

SILVER

Spring Hills Golf Course

BRONZE

Casserly Par 3 Golf Course

Best Gym or Health Club

Toadal Fitness

SILVER

Watsonville Family YMCA

BRONZE

Gold’s Gym

Best

Hotel or Lodging

Hampton Inn & Suites Watsonville

Best Live Music Venue

El Vaquero Winery

SILVER

Buena Vista Brewing Co

Best Local Band

Watsonville Community Band

SILVER

Watsonville Taiko

Best Martial

Arts School

Claudio França BJJ

SILVER

Jiu Jitsu Therapy

Best Musician

Michael Gaither

SILVER

Scooby Valdez, The Ville Band

Best Place to Take a Class

Cabrillo College

SILVER

Watsonville Yoga, Dance and Healing Arts

BRONZE

Kokoro No Gakko

Best Swimming Lessons

Jim Booth Swim School

SILVER

Watsonville Family YMCA

Best Yoga Studio

Watsonville Yoga, Dance and Healing Arts

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Best Barbershop

True Blendz Barbershop

SILVER

The Lab

BRONZE

The Chop Shop

Best Dental Practice

Terry F. Haskin D.D.S. and Gordon G. Goldstine D.D.S.

SILVER

Ivette San Juan, DDS

BRONZE

Alaa Moustafa, DDS, MS

Best FullService Salon

Lily’s Beauty Salon

SILVER

Skin For You

BRONZE

Luna Beauty Salon

Best Hair Salon

Hair We Are

SILVER

Bella Salon and Spa

BRONZE

The Hair Studio, Corralitos

Best Health Care Facility

OnCall Aesthetix & Wellness

SILVER

Salud Para La Gente

BRONZE

Doctors on Duty

STYLIN’ Esther Cabrera (left) and Kara Corley are long time workers at Hair We Are in Watsonville.

Tarmo Hannula/The

Pajaronian

The Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley is honored to serve this community and is deeply grateful to be voted 2025 Best Community Organization. Whether it’s increasing access to fresh food, providing family-centered care, or creating space for wellness, everything we do is made possible by the support, trust, and partnership of this community.

Join us in continuing this journey toward a healthier Pajaro Valley. To learn more or get involved, visit www.pvhealthtrust.org

On behalf of the Huizar-Albor Insurance Agency, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who voted us Best Insurance Agency. This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from our community — the families, friends, and neighbors we proudly s erve every day.

Our mission has always been simple: to protect what matters most to you with care, professionalism, and integrity. Receiving this recognition reaffirms that our hard work and commitment are making a difference.

Thank you for trusting us with your insurance needs and for supporting a locally owned business. We look forward to continuing to serve Watsonville with the same dedication that earned us this award.

With gratitude, Naomi Albor Owner, Huizar-Albor Insurance Agency, Inc.

Best

Massage

Therapist

Sarah Diaz-Bastin, Qigong Arts

SILVER

Maria Zarate, Skin For You

Best Nail Salon

D & L Nails Spa

SILVER

JC Nails

BRONZE

Michelle Nails & Spa

Best OB-Gyn

Katherine Gabriel-Cox, Salud Para La Gente

SILVER

Cheryl Northey, Sutter Health

BRONZE

Rachel L. Rider, Sutter Health

Best Pharmacy

Watsonville Pharmacy

SILVER

CVS Pharmacy, 1966 Main St.

BRONZE

Valle Verde Pharmacy

Best Physician

(Family Practice)

Lindsey M. Nakao, Salud Para La Gente

SILVER

Clayton McDaniel, Dignity Health

BRONZE

Jeffrey A. Solinas, Plazita Medical Clinic

Best Skin Care Spa

OnCall Aesthetix & Wellness

SILVER

Skin for You

BRONZE

Blush Skincare

Best Urgent Care Center

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

SILVER

Doctors on Duty

Best Waxing or Sugaring Studio

OnCall Aesthetix & Wellness

SILVER

Blush Skincare

BRONZE

Skin for You

HOME

Best A/C & Heating Service

Bogner HVAC

SILVER

Airtec Service

Best Antique Shop

Center Street Antiques

Best Cleaning Service

Merry Maids of Watsonville

Best Commercial Real Estate Agent

Aldina Maciel, Aldina Real Estate

SILVER

John Skillicorn, Coldwell Banker Realty

BRONZE

Gloria Garcia, Century 21 Real Estate

Best Deck or Fencing Company

Cypress Coast Fence

SILVER

David Thorpe Construction

BRONZE

NorCal Coast Construction

Best Electrical Contractor

Corralitos Electric Services

Best Furniture & Décor

Baker Brothers Furniture & Appliance

Best Garden Center

Aladdin Nursery & Gift Shop

SILVER

Sierra Azul Nursery & Garden

Best Glass Repair

Delta Glass

Best Hardware Store

ACE Hardware, Eastlake

SILVER

Home Depot

BUSTLING Shoppers head out of Ace Hardware in the East Lake Village Shopping Center in Watsonville, which won for best hardware store.

Best Landscape Supplies

K & D Landscaping

SILVER

Tri-County Landscape Supply

Best Lumber Yard

Big Creek Lumber

SILVER

Monument Lumber

Best Pest Control

Pied Piper Exterminators

SILVER

Terra X Pest Services

Best Place to Buy a Mattress

Mattress Firm Watsonville

Best Plumbing Service

SA Plumbing

SILVER

Tino’s Plumbing Inc

BRONZE

The Plumbing Company

Best Real Estate Agency

Aldina Real Estate

SILVER

Coldwell Banker Realty

BRONZE

Renee Mello & Associates

Best Residential

Building Contractor

Harris & Son Construction

SILVER

Lee Stewart Construction

Best Residential Real Estate Agent

Dana Sales, Century 21 Real Estate

Best Roofing Contractor

Moreno Roofing

Best Tree Service

Davey Tree Expert Company

SERVICES

Best Accounting or Bookkeeping Practice

Hutchinson & Bloodgood

SILVER

Abrego Tax Service

BRONZE

Evan J. Benevento, CPA

Best Attorney

Rob Allen, Allen, Allen & Caroselli

SILVER

Grunsky, Ebey, Farrar & Howell

Best

Auto Body Repair

Freedom Body Shop

SILVER

Jerry Graham Auto Body (Formerly

Watsonville Auto Body)

BRONZE Body by Hank

Best Auto Service Center

Toriumi’s Auto Repair

SILVER

Kadotani Auto Repair

BRONZE Quintero Tires

Best Car Wash or Auto Detailing

Fernandez Car Wash

SILVER

Sofspra Car Wash

BRONZE

Exotic Mobile Auto Spa

Best Community Organization

Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley

SILVER

Gardenia Amor y Bienestar

BRONZE

Community Action Board

Best Computer Repair Service

Izzy Tech Solutions

SILVER Watsonville Computers

BRONZE

TECHSOL

Best Credit Union

Bay Federal Credit Union

Best Customer Service

Staff of Life

SILVER

John’s Jewelers

BRONZE

Watsonville Cyclery

SHOP TALK Shaz Roth (from right), CEO of the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, presents the Business of the Year Award to Staff of Life Natural Foods Market co-owner Gary Bascou, Jason Bazarnick and Peggy Bascou at East Lake Village Shopping Center.

Tarmo

OnCall Aesthetix & Wellness

Voted

We are deeply honored to be named Best of Pajaro Valley! This recognition means so much to us, and we could not have achieved it without the support of our incredible community and patients.

At OnCall Aesthetix & Wellness, our mission is to provide personalized, safe, and innovative aesthetic and wellness care that helps each individual feel confident in their own skin. Winning this award is a reflection of the trust you place in us every day, and we are truly grateful.

Thank you to everyone who voted for us, shared kind words, and continues to allow us to be part of your wellness and aesthetic journey. We are committed to growing with this community and delivering the highest standard of care.

This win belongs to all of us — thank you, Pajaro Valley, for making us your choice!

With gratitude, The OnCall Aesthetix & Wellness Team