David McIntosh of Sunny California: What If Community Is The Real Product?

Santa Cruz has entered that awkward phase where the market still moves fast, but only if you get the details right. We talk through what we’re seeing right now, from interest rate whiplash to why “price it high and negotiate down” can backfire hard. If you’re a homeowner, buyer, or agent watching days on market, this conversation puts words to what the data is already saying: the forgiving market is gone, and strategy is everything.Then we bring in David McIntosh, founder of Sunny California, to tell the long version of how a punk rock kid from Baltimore becomes a 20-year concert promoter, moves his family through London and Australia, and reinvents himself through web design and surf e-commerce. That path matters because it explains the engine behind his new 41st Avenue Santa Cruz flagship: a California lifestyle brand built around surfboards, motorcycles, design, music, and a real sense of community, not just transactions.We also get tactical about what makes a retail concept work today: hiring people who genuinely like helping customers, curating quality over cheap price points, and creating a destination with a coffee bar, art gallery, and event space. Dave shares details on the May 1 gallery unveiling and the May 2 grand opening, including live music, activations, and a VIP option tied to a gift card that supports the store. Subscribe for more Santa Cruz business stories, share this with a friend who loves surf or moto culture, and leave a review with the most underrated local brand you think we should feature next.