LA is a great big freeway and you'll put a thousand miles on your car in no time. So, it helps when…read moreyou have a great magazine ("Los Angeles")(http://www.lamag.com/) to educate and inform you of all the happenings in a great big city. Santa Cruz, while not nearly so big (thankfully), has been growing and while GPS may not be necessary just yet, a magazine such as Santa Cruz Magazine will be more than helpful in telling you what's going on in this charming beach city. Published four times a year, it offers hints and tips as to where the best eateries and artist's studios are; where to sample the local wines and cheeses; and where to rent that surfboard to ride a few waves in this northern version of "Surf City" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz,_California). Describing itself as a "magazine with a conscience", you can be assured that the team that puts pen to paper here know what they're talking about. Pick up a copy or subscribe and see for yourself. See why when you think of Santa Cruz, you picture that rare gem of a town right on the coast between the major population hubs of San Francisco and Los Angeles. It's a youthful place of unique beauty between the surf and the redwoods chock full of things to do, places to see and things to write about. And the photography... There are few places as beautiful as this area and Santa Cruz Magazine has it covered. Click on the most recent issue and flip through the pages. You'll be impressed with the writing, the thoroughness of information and, again, that photography...

From the owner: Santa Cruz Style is hearing the roar of the ocean when you wake up, the filtered light streaming…read morethrough the redwoods or your view after climbing to top of Goat Rock. It's the way you feel when you are around your best friends lifting a pint. The 9-to-5 existences are for other places - not Santa Cruz. Let us introduce you to the area's top sports, best waves and hidden beaches. Meet your neighbor; the one you didn't realize had been on the cover of Time Magazine. We will sneak you backstage to meet the derby girls, see what is cooking at your favorite restaurant and talk with a local wine maker who just took first in the Napa Valley. We are about making your life easier and more fun. We are Santa Cruz Style.

I grew up in unincorporated Santa Cruz County and like to keep informed about what is happening in…read morethe area, particularily Capitola, Soquel, and Aptos. I have been reading the Mid County Post for years because it is quality newspaper. This newspaper packs alot into the pages. I particularily enjoy the well researched, in depth articles about local issues. Better quality than the Mercury News and Sentinal. If you want to keep up to date with local issues, read the Mid County Post.

I absolutely adore Homes Magazine! Their staff are amazing, detail oriented and always a delight to…read morework with. I trust Homes Magazine for my Real Estate print advertising & marketing.

The Friends of the Capitola Library Bookstore is located in the Capitola mall. This bookstore is a…read moregreat place to pickup pre-owned books, CDs, DVDs, and other media. There is a wide variety of offerings of mainstream as well as obscure subjects. Books are grouped by subject matter and interests and are well laid out. From classical art to crafts, from English literature to foreign language editions, from outdoor gardening to interior remodeling, the bookstore's offerings are plentiful and diverse. Most books and media looked in excellent condition. At the time of our visit, prices were $1 for most paperbacks, $2 for hardcover editions, $1 for CDs, and $2 for DVDs. This family-friendly bookstore has something for all ages. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. All proceeds benefit the Capitola Library.

Wonderful eclectic selection of books, *well organized* and attended by pleasant volunteers. Very…read moreaffordable prices, mostly $1-3! They will take donated books you bring to them. Go here first to find a book or CD or DVD you might be seeking.

This place is outstanding! It's small, but jam packed with a tremendous variety of books. I go to…read morebookstores to encounter authors and titles I haven't heard of, but I get tired of having to spend an hour wading through the piles of poorly written books that are continually being pumped into the market. At Two Birds, all the work has been done for you. The dross doesn't make it onto their shelves. I spent about 12 minutes, and came away with 6 books worth reading. This is now my favorite bookstore.

This is my favorite bookstore, and I don't even live in the area, but it is a must visit every time…read moreI'm visiting. Gary has the best book recommendations! He has little notes around the bookstore to guide you in the right direction if you are unsure of what to read. The selection is so vast, but if need be, Gary is able to order you a book or at least let you know when the book will be back in stock. The kids section is also so cute. There is a little sectioned off area for the kids that has books at the eye level of children and there are so many options from fun kids books to fun, educational books. And so many pens, stickers, and doodles kids (and kids at heart) also love. There are both new and used books in this bookstore, which is amazing because there are so many recent books that you can get at a deal and the quality is still fantastic! This place is truly a gem and I love to visit, and I already look forward to visiting again.

My favorite Magic shop in Santa Cruz! (Well, they are in Soquel Village) Not too witchy, but…read moredefinitely witchy enough. Not too pagan, but definitely pagan. They have an amazing selection of goods from cultures around the world! Boomerangs! African sculptures, Asian goddesses, lots of Celtic stuff, drums, flags. It's a perfect place for a gift shop, books, local clothing vendors and unique items. It also is a spiritual shop, so they carry lots of tarot and oracle decks, have astrology and psychic readings, and do fairs the 2nd Sunday of the month. A good place for herbs, crystals, jewelry & candles. A super fun stop whether you're just visiting or local to Santa Cruz. Not to be missed!

We had Gwen and Avalon Visions do readings for our wedding and we couldn't be happier with their…read moreamazing skills!! They had a station set up for tarot and everyone was able to get a reading, they even stayed later then agreed upon which was so kind! Everyone made kind comments about their readings and time with Gwen. It was a huge hit! We are so grateful!