You only have to wander down our main street to feel it—the holiday season has landed. Since U.S. Thanksgiving, visitors have been flowing into Santa Teresa like a steady set, and with Christmas and New Year’s just ahead, we’re officially in peak season.
The town is buzzing, lists are being checked twice, and we’re here to help you cross a few things off that what-to-get-your-loved-ones list—without breaking a sweat.
To show us what’s trending this Christmas, we teamed up with two visitors from California, Peyton and Brianna, for a morning beach photo shoot featuring styles from Kina Surf Shop, Santa Teresa’s longest-standing surf shop.
The shoot took place at Rancho Itauna, where sun, sand, rocks, and the Pacific come together with that raw, unmistakable energy you feel in your chest before you even hit the water. You can see it in the photos—and yeah, you probably felt it too.
Kina Surf carries a solid lineup of beachwear and surf apparel, including popular brands like Rip Curl and Florence, along with a wide range of easy, grab-and-go Christmas gifts. Think beach bags, sunglasses, Sun Bum sunscreen, and more—practical stuff that actually gets used (novel concept, we know).
One standout gift this season: Corkcicle water containers. These things are the real deal—triple insulated, stainless steel, dishwasher safe, and they keep drinks cold for up to 25 hours and hot for 12. Bar none, one of the best sport canteens out there. Any surfer, yogi, gym rat, or beach walker on your list will thank you.
Once your shopping is done, ditch the dust and head straight to the beach. Rancho Itauna is one of Santa Teresa’s oldest beachfront restaurants and cabinas, and a longtime local favorite when you want to escape the busy road. It’s also home to some of the area’s oldest Christmas and New Year’s beach celebrations—and their legendary Deep Tuesdays are still going strong.
Brianna’s beachwear includes:
- Orange two-piece bikini by Rip Curl
- Surf-ready tropical one-piece by Rip Curl
- Cotton sarong
- Lightweight green button-up by Rip Curl
Peyton’s surfwear includes:
- Boardshorts by Florence and Rip Curl
- Kina Surf Shop black t-shirt
- Steel grey Florence t-shirt
Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be stressful. In Santa Teresa, it can start with a surf shop, end at the beach, and feel a lot like vacation in between.
