SHOPPING & SERVICES craft of creating bouquets, and also locating unusual blooms to feature. Whether you need large displays for a special event or wedding, a get-well delivery to boost a friend’s spirits or just a pop of color for your own home, this group of florists has a creative vision—and the know-how required— to make it happen. No two arrangements are alike here, relying on the craftsmanship of designers who attend to every detail from shape to color palette to vase shape. BEST GIFT SHOP The Quill 553 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 373-8189, thequill.com Say you roll a 2, 3, 4, 4, 6. You decide to go for a small straight. That’s 30 points if you get it. The next person rolls 1, 3, 3, 3, 5 and…how do you keep track of all that in a fast-moving game of Yahtzee? On a pad of paper, of course. And there’s no reason it shouldn’t be stylish. At The Quill, you can get note pads with lines or without. There are artisanal greeting cards, journals and sketchbooks (good if you play Pictionary), as well as fancy pens, leather goods, jewelry—there’s too much to list. Let’s just say The Quill is, as the readers point out, the consummate gift shop for someone discerning. BEST TATTOO PARLOR Wholehearted Tattoo 140 W. Franklin St., #205, Monterey (831) 800-6433,wholeheartedtattoo.com Ever try completing an intricate design on an Etch-A-Sketch? They say it could be done, but we don’t trust it. For artistry—especially when it comes to designing body art—it is far better to trust Wholehearted Tattoo. Power couple Chago Garcia and Sarah Twiggy are the best in the game, known for all kinds of styles, but especially their color work, personalized tattoos, bold designs, and they are no strangers to body suits (works of art that cover an entire part of your body). Their shop has three other artists, all with specialties ranging from traditional designs to bright and bold to black and white. No bleeding hearts in this game (unless that’s your style). BEST HEADSHOP NorCal Smoke Shop 765 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 645-9021, norcalsmokeshop.com Ah, the headshop: part retail, part trippy museum, part exploratorium. NorCal’s walls and cases are filled with glass pieces made by genuine artists and engineers. Some are designed to deliver the most smoke or vapor possible, some are designed to cool the smoke before you inhale it, and some are designed to be unrelentingly beautiful. The staff at NorCal will help you find exactly what you’re looking for. BEST CANNABIS DISPENSARY Big Sur Canna+Botanicals 26352 Carmel Rancho Lane, Suite 100, Carmel (831) 250-7756, bigsurcannabotanicals. com Perhaps you’re two years deep into a campaign in your multi-player role-playing game. Maybe you’re getting together with a group of friends for a night of Twister, charades, Pictionary and Taboo. Maybe you unwind with a quiet game of solitaire after work. Whatever the vibe you’re chasing, the knowledgeable bud-tenders at Big Sur Canna+Botanicals are going to help you find the right products from their extensive menu to elevate game night. BEST ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER Dr. Allison Serrano 409 Washington St., Suite 200, Monterey (831) 298-6298, montereynaturalwellness.com Pressing your hands on a pin art board is a relaxing way to make new shapes and relieve stress. Dr. Allison Serrano’s acupuncture needles are thinner and larger than the rounded plastic ones on a Pin Art board, and also much more effective in aiding her patients. She also has several certifications under her belt. She’s a California Board-certified acupuncturist, certified nutrition specialist and expert in traditional Chinese medicine. BEST CHIROPRACTIC Aaron Gaily Back & Neck Pain Center of Monterey, 1299 Pacific St., Monterey (831) 657-0191, chiropractormontereyca. com Years ago, we all used to be able to play Twister and our bodies would comply. Now, it’s just painful. In the Best Pet Boutique | Diggidy Dog 70 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof
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