My favorite art store! It can feel a little cramped but only because it is full of so many options…read morefor every medium and for any kind of artist. Being a framer myself, i especially enjoy buying yards of their discounted, precut canvas to stretch when I get back home. It is a little out of the ways for me to get to, but it is a NECESSARY stop for me whenever I take my family to Capitola or Santa Cruz.

ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE...I've got a tricky project and the folks at Lenz were…read moreamazing...going back for more...first rate service!!

Visited this gallery at the Tannery Arts Center this past weekend to check out the Small Works…read moreExhibition (the shopping show) not really knowing what to expect. The lady at the front desk was very kind and made me feel welcome. Suzy Rad Arts is what drew me to this event, specializing in beautiful, vibrant pet and animal portraits. But there were so many other impressive works that caught my attention as well while I looked around. There isn't too much to explore in this gallery since it's very small, like itty bitty, seemingly only a couple rooms, with just a small space dedicated to each artist's work for this specific event. But it's free to attend, and an opportunity to purchase something special for yourself or the art lover in your life (I got a lovely Suzy Rad greeting card with a quirky carrot). And while you're at it, you can check out the other artworks and sculptures on site at the Tannery Arts Center, like the sharky-go-round located right in front of the gallery. Besides special events, the Radius Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday to the public. The arts campus has a parking lot available as well.

Helpful friendly staff, wide variety of supplies, somewhat reasonable prices, and open on Sunday…read more Fantastic!

I would drop a good chunk of my paychecks here on paint brands and tools you couldn't find at your…read moreaverage art store...sadly that is no longer the case. The selection has gone down a lot over the years. Discounts are few and not as generous. I used to purchase bundles of discounted materials just to experiment and add to my studio. The staff is still helpful but its weird to see the connected clothing store slowly taking up more and more space in Palace Art.

I visited this museum, in December of 2025. And it is almost Valentine's Day, 2026 so I am late to…read morerecord my experience, I understand that. But I rather take down the Christmas on Super Bowl weekend than wait to take the lights down near the 4th of July. I went to this place on my first trip to Santa Cruz. And I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this place, and its focus on Santa Cruz Culture. Thorough out my life, I have heard that Santa Cruz is known for crystals, and forest green. But on my trip here, I learned that Santa Cruz is also famous for surfer culture, As some of the pictures, demonstrate surf boards, like cups, hair styles, and volcanoes, come in a variety of lengths, shapes, colors and purpose. I also learned that surfing has its origins from Hawaii, and even though I did not know that, it totally makes sense. I will never be on a surf board, catching a big wave, while the breeze hits my face, and pelicans fly above, but by visiting this museum I learned the historical value of the surf movement that waved hello, initially, in Santa Cruz by way of Hawaii. My favorite room was that one that reflected the beach and ocean vibe of Santa Cruz in place. The room was colored in a deep blue that did not resemble clear waters, more like the deep blue that is found when the ocean seems to be infinite. I am not sure the exact shade of blue that the room was painted in, but I will call it calming serenity blue, which is a close cousin to royal blue. If popcorn yellow and burnt cocoa brown are colors than mine can be colored too, I do not need Crayola level authority to christen colors. The pictures in the room continued my trance into serenity. The paintings showed these peaceful seascapes, where sky and sea became partners in a waltz, not interwoven as one, but paired into slow movement that induces stillness upon the viewer. Other pictures showed a calm beach, where the shore water had white froth as it met the sand. In the background, there was a rock formation and behind the rock formation was a tranquil sky brighten by subtle hues of a descending sun. Even as I reviewed the pictures for this yelp, I found the paintings to be, in a phrase: rest in ocean and pastel candy colored strokes. The room also had a speaker that played the sounds of the ocean, quietly about a chair. I allowed myself to transport myself to a beach shore, to experience the colors of the sea breeze. The museum also tried to educate others on its place in USA farm produce history. One of the pictures discusses the migration pattern by stating, "Today Mexican men, women and children cross the border voluntarily- but at great risk of violence and rape." This is just my opinion, but this sentence, is too broad yet to specific at the same time to accurately paint a picture of the migration experience of many Mexicans and by extension other people who seek to come to America to fulfill their version of the American dream. The way it is written, again from my interpretation, implies that the choice to come to America is one that is a "voluntary" decision like skipping or going to the gym, or using a credit card for a jacket when it does not fit your means. Meaning, that the word voluntary may ignore the vast conditions that push others to migrate, other than personal choice. But this is just one Yelper's opinion, if that makes sense. In another, poster, which I clipped, explains how Santa Cruz goes alternative. The poster explains that "Santa Cruz became a cauldron of cultural experimentation, neighborhood activism, intellectual exploration and environmental protection in the 1960s and 1970s." I think that the word cauldron here is not the right choice because a cauldron most often then not, holds a witches brew. And, most witches brews that are mixed in a cauldron, are meant to produce a potion that results in some type of calamity or curse. I know I may be nitpicking, but if a museum is going to report history, they should be prepared for a response, as history should be reported with objective caution, not editorial perspective. A better word, again in my opinion, would be site, like Santa Cruz became a site of.... this gives objective reporting, as a posed to imagery that a word like cauldron produces. I think, and thus I write. Angela Davis, said, according to a poster, I also clipped, " I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I am changing the things I cannot accept." I also really enjoyed playing with Christmas train models for about 10 to 15 minutes. I was not transported into the Polar Express, but, it was fun to turn on cabooses and view their speed and stops through the tracks. It was a zen kind of moment. The museum also had a sculpture garden and a picture of a man in front of a giant redwood that made me want to find a giant tree and walk inside its tunnel. I guess, what I am trying to say is that this museum has a lot to see and ponder about. I was stirred, and calmed, by it.

What a great find while visiting downtown Santa Cruz with my girlfriend! Such a relaxing experience…read morevisiting this museum, it wasn't busy and the exhibits are very simple. You really get to learn about the history of Santa Cruz and the surrounding cities. It was three floors and wasn't a crazy big museum. I enjoyed it a lot and it was affordable to enjoy. Definitely can be a cool add to your itinerary for Santa Cruz. Bathrooms are a bit spooky though haha, they are super dim and is very ominous! Could barely go anymore once I walked in.

super cute art store in the heart of capitola…read more.. my friends and i stopped by en route to the beach and loved what we saw here, lots of custom greeting cards, paintings by local artists, mugs, jewelry and clothing branded with capitola. some of the actual artwork was very unique, symbols and things that i hadn't seen in other art stores. the ladies working there were super sweet, very friendly. hours are a little limited though, they only open wednesday - sunday, 11.00-17.00 (closed on monday & tuesday). as far as parking, there is limited street parking, but your best bet is to park in the city parking lot about a block away.

This is locally owned art and gifty store extremely very close to the capitola esplande…read more Parking is street only, but there is a large surface lot just behind the police station not even a block away, and the beach related esplanade parking is an easy walk. This is a smaller space and the owner focuses on craft artists who are in capitola or very close by which results in a diverse, unique and high quality stock. They have handmade jewelry it's true, but also a fair amount of clothing, clutches, bags, soaps, perfume, home decor stuff candles, and art. Pricing can be on the higher side, but then it typically is for artisan handmade items. Generally speaking the owner is either present or somewhere nearby at all time that the store is open. Overall this is a perfect spot to find that unique gift (for yourself or others)that will really show you put thought into what you are buying.

Another visit to the lovely Wisteria. Always a pleasure. The grounds are beautiful and everything…read moreis beautifully displayed inside. Lots of look at and hard to resist . I always find a treasure or two.

Wisteria Antiques and Design is a home and garden goods business located in a coverted house. There…read morewere no antiques at this business; all merchandise was new. They offer quality items for every room of one's space. They also sell high quality garden & house plants, garden statuary and accessories. $$$$

Absolutely stunning pieces of art: architectural little eye-fetching bags and carry cases,…read moreinterspersed with vibrantly colored wall art. High design + functionality = the best. An impressively curated little shop with museum quality, usable pieces. The owner, Rachel, was delightful, and who wouldn't be, gifted with such talents? We bought a uniquely arted hand sculpture, leaving the store less one of its fun displays. You can't miss the gorgeous and vibrant bold color installations as well, by another artist we did not meet, but check those out too!

I love em - they're in part responsible for the "First Friday Art Tour" in downtown Santa Cruz!…read more They do beautiful mural work! They're a program of the City Department of Redevelopment and Economic Development, Santa Cruz City Arts works with the Arts Commission, partners and stakeholders to guide implementation of the public art and mural programs, City Arts Master Plan and other cultural planning initiatives. You can join the City Arts mailing list by emailing cbirns@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us