Entry No. 5 — the Santa Cruz file — filed under: witchy
Air and Fire, A Mystical Bazaar
A redwood-shadowed mystical bazaar that calls itself "the pagan occult shop" of the San Lorenzo Valley — skulls, gargoyles and dragons share shelf space with 200+ tarot and oracle decks, ritual tools, and runes, and there's a public altar in the shop that any customer is welcome to leave an offering on.
The story
Pull off Highway 9 into the damp redwood shadow of Boulder Creek, and you’ll find Air and Fire sitting right where the trees swallow the sunlight. Operating for over two decades—celebrating its 20th anniversary in late 2023—the shop run by Emelia and Zellie doesn't sanitize its shelves for weekend tourists. It explicitly calls itself the San Lorenzo Valley's pagan occult shop, and it carries the inventory to back that up.
Inside, the wares lean specific and hands-on. You aren't just looking at generic gift-shop trinkets; you're navigating shelves stocked with gargoyles, dragons, iron ritual tools, runes, hand-blended magickal oils, and a wall holding over 200 tarot and oracle decks. More than 50 local mountain artists supply the shop's physical stock, which gives the hand-poured candles, carved wood, and altar supplies a distinct Santa Cruz Mountains pedigree.
The true focal point of the floor isn't the cash register—it's the permanent public altar. Regulars and curious travelers drop offerings, notes, and tokens onto it daily, keeping the shop grounded as an active community crossroads rather than a themed retail gimmick.
What it's like
Expect dense redwood shade outside, a heavy incense aroma inside, and floor-to-ceiling shelves that reward slow scanning. You can drop in to pick up matching ritual candles, browse local art, or catch a walk-in tarot reading (energy-healing sessions are by appointment). Highway 9 is a tight, twisting drive up the canyon, and mountain shop hours can fluctuate, so confirm they're open before heading into the valley.
The move: Browse the 50-plus local artists' wares together, pick out matching ritual candles or magickal oil blends, then book a walk-in tarot reading or energy-healing session by appointment before driving the redwood curves of Hwy 9 back down the mountain.
- 📍 Boulder Creek
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 13150 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The River Run at Brookdale Lodge — Just 1.4 miles down Highway 9, pair your shop visit with a stop at this century-old lodge where a live mountain creek runs straight through the vintage dining room.
- Mountain Spirit — Continue five miles south down Highway 9 to Felton to compare local metaphysical hubs and sift through deep bins of raw stone.
- Old Lime Kiln Ruins — Head south into Fall Creek's redwood canopy to hike out to moss-draped 19th-century industrial stone ruins.
Good to know
Where is Air and Fire located?
You'll find it at 13150 Hwy 9 in Boulder Creek, California, right along the main redwood corridor through the San Lorenzo Valley.
What kind of items do they stock?
They carry over 200 tarot and oracle decks, pagan ritual tools, runes, skulls, gargoyles, hand-blended oils, and handmade goods from over 50 local artists.
Can anyone leave something on the public altar?
Yes. The shop maintains a public altar inside, and any visitor is welcome to leave an offering or intention.
Do they offer readings or healing sessions on-site?
They offer walk-in tarot readings based on reader availability, as well as energy-healing sessions booked by appointment.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · mapquest.com · slvpost.com
last checked: 2026-07-20