Entry No. 1 — the Santa Cruz file — filed under: glassblowing

Chris Johnson Glass (Studio Zayante)

A working hot shop tucked into the tiny, one-block historic village of Davenport, 11 miles up the coast — glassblower Chris Johnson describes the craft as "sticking a fork in honey": stop moving the molten glass and it turns to rock in your hands. He apprenticed under Art Ramos in the early '90s and technician'd at the Bay Area Glass Institute before opening this studio in 2006; every September he stages a glass pumpkin patch at the Live Oak Grange where no two pumpkins are alike.

The move: Book the introductory couples session: you each pick a simple form (a bird, a heart) and one of five color combos, get a safety and tool rundown, then step up to the bench together to shape molten glass into a finished piece — it cools overnight and you pick it up the next day.

• 📍 Davenport
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 131 Old Coast Road, Davenport, CA 95017

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · tpgonlinedaily.com · Yelp

last checked: 2026-07-20