The Pajaronian has published its Best of Pajaro Valley 2025 Family & Pets winners, a readers’ choice list spotlighting local child-care providers, pet retailers, family dining and outdoor destinations across the Pajaro Valley. Dogs Rescued From Burning Garage In Santa Cruz County – Patch

The annual program, driven by nominations and reader voting, serves as a snapshot of neighborhood preferences and the businesses residents rely on for family life and pet care. The Family & Pets section sits alongside other category packages in the wider Best of Pajaro Valley series.

In the child-care and education categories, Hearts & Hands took top honors for both Best Day Care and Best Nursery School, with A Child’s Garden named the runner-up in those categories and West Coast Sunshine Preschool placing third for Nursery School.

Pet owners pointed to Corralitos Feed and Pet Supplies as the Best Pet Supply winner, while The Wishbone Pet Company was recognized as the top Feed Store — a swap that highlights how different categories capture distinct local preferences. For those looking to support animal shelters, pet owners can adopt or foster animals, volunteer time, or donate supplies like food and toys.

Local dining and dog-friendly spots also featured in readers’ choices. Cowboys Corner Cafe earned Best Family Restaurant; Imura Japanese Restaurant and Miyuki Restaurant were the silver and bronze choices. For dog-friendly establishments, Beer Mule Bottle Shop + Pour House was the gold pick and Fruition Brewing the runner-up. Pinto Lake County Park was selected as the Best Place to Take the Dog, with Fruition Brewing again listed as a second choice. Regulations are in place for pet owners in Pajaro Valley, including licensing for dogs and compliance with local leashing ordinances, which ensure a safe environment for all residents.

Family outings and community venues that resonated with voters included the Santa Cruz County Fair as Best Place to Take the Kids, followed by the Environmental Science Workshop and Gizdich Ranch. Community events like pet fairs also play a vital role in increasing pet adoption rates by raising awareness and making the adoption process more accessible.

Educational institutions were recognized as well: Cabrillo College was named Best Public School, with Linscott Charter School and Watsonville High School taking silver and bronze. Watsonville Prep School won Best Private or Charter School ahead of Moreland Notre Dame School and Salesian Elementary & Junior High.

Religious organizations appeared in the Family & Pets results, with St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish selected as Best House of Worship, and Watsonville Buddhist Temple and Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in the following positions.

“Explore the Family & Pets winners of Best of Pajaro Valley 2025, including top picks for Best Pet Supply, Best Day Care, Best Animal …California Pet Rent Laws in 2025: A Guide for Landlords – Hemlane,” the Pajaronian editors wrote in the section introducing the winners.

The Best of Pajaro Valley program is organized as a multi-section, reader-driven recognition, and the Family & Pets section is one piece of that broader package. Readers’ votes determine finalists and winners through an initial nomination phase followed by a final voting round, a format the paper says is intended to reflect community preferences rather than an expert ranking.

For readers and businesses, the list functions as both a local honor roll and a guide to neighborhood services. The results underscore the variety of family- and pet-focused offerings across the Pajaro Valley, from child-care and schools to pet supplies, dog-friendly venues, and county parks that draw families and their animals.

Further details and the full lists of winners and runners-up for each Family & Pets category are available from The Pajaronian’s Best of Pajaro Valley Family & Pets page.