We decided to ignore that fascinating project, and instead asked our readers. Several florists received votes; a favorite emerged. Same holds true for Women''s Clothing Boutique (where Salinas shoppers staged an upset), Spa, and Thrift Store.

Shopping is something only we as a species do. It is a unique characteristic. We need to get our shoes repaired; bees don''t wear out shoes, even though they love to dance, in their own way. When it comes to shopping, we know best. In this case, the bees and everyone else in the animal kingdom should look to us for guidance.

readers'' picks

Best Place To Buy Craft Supplies

BEVERLY''S

2090 N. Fremont Blvd., Monterey, 646-5141.

344 S. Main St., Salinas, 422-1508.

Silk flowers in every type and color imaginable. Green bauble buttons straight out of the 1960s. Animal print fabric that would make killer couch pillows-and that''s only in the front of the store. Aisles and aisles of shiny, sparkling gems and miniature candles and doodads fill the rest of the store. Beverly''s is nothing short of inspirational. It will make a Martha Stewart out of even the most uncreative drone. (That''s Martha Stewart, pre-insider trading scandal). Weekly readers pick Michael''s as a close second.

Best Used Book Store

OLD CAPITOL BOOKS

639 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 375-2665.

It will be 20 years this fall since Chris Sundt opened the doors of Old Capitol Books, and in that time he''s established himself as the premier address for vintage, rare and just plain used books of quality on the Monterey Peninsula. With 60,000 volumes in stock, the store is made for a leisurely afternoon of browsing. In addition to the obscure and the wonderful, Old Capitol stocks a good selection of gently used recent novels, which he resells for half the original cover price, "or less," he says. With a store that large, Sundt says "we don''t have to specialize," but if he had to point to one area where they really shine, "it would be our art and history books." Old Capitol will buy used books for cash, but don''t try to unload your dog-eared Ludlum or Steele novels on them-the store doesn''t do much business in mass-market paperbacks. Is there one book in the store Sundt wishes he could take home with him, to cuddle privately? "I already have," he states.

Best Photo Store

GREEN''S CAMERA WORLD

213 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove, 373-3742.

350 Main St., Salinas, 424-5247.

424 Alvarado St., Monterey, 655-1234.

Ocean Ave. between San Carlos and Mission, Carmel, 625-9066.

Okay, I admit it. I never read the owner''s manual that came with my Minolta Maxxum 7 that I bought at the Carmel Green''s Camera World. Yet while it may not necessarily be standard business practice, I''ve found the employees at Green''s more than willing to answer the many questions that go along with such a techie piece of equipment-who knew that a tiny computer on the back of the camera would record my F-stops? (For that matter, who really knows what an F-stop is?) And with locations in Pacific Grove, Monterey, and Salinas, there''s always a Green''s employee to beg advice from. Second place winner Myrick Photographic is another fine place to go for darkroom supplies, camera equipment, and color processing. Super-friendly staffers remember your name and film preferences.

Best Surf Shop

ON THE BEACH

711 Cannery Row, Monterey, 646-9283.

The cashiers are young and tanned, the clothing is trendy and casual, and the surfing gear is totally tubular, dude. Uprooted from their old home on Lighthouse Avenue last year when the Dream Theater building was demolished, On The Beach moved to Cannery Row while keeping their surfer vibe intact. The staff is supremely helpful, and the clothes are so cool that one tries desperately not to look at the price tag. Their selection of surfboards, wetsuits and other tools of thehobby make On the Beach a local favorite and a hip place to browse.

Best Toy Store

Thinker Toys

480 DEL MONTE CENTER, MONTEREY, 643-0907.

San Carlos and 7th, Carmel, 624-0441.

It''s been a long Saturday afternoon with the kids. A trip to Target results in the purchase of Pregnancy Barbie and a "Dora the Explorer" talking backpack. On the car ride home, Barbie gives birth and her offspring is forever lost between the seats. Child number one is now hitting child number two with the talking backpack. By the time the car pulls into the driveway, both toys are yesterday''s news. Plastic-the great modern invention-is where it''s at for most modern toy stores. But Thinker Toys has mostly wooden creations that encourage learning and long-time amusement. An especially neato item, the wooden magnetic calendar, has pictures of objects representing activities and events that kids can use to plan their schedules themselves. Another worthy toy store contender, second place winner Sandcastles-By-The-Sea, also offers imaginative play items like puppet theatres and dress-up costumes.

Best Spa

SPA ON THE PLAZA

201 Alvarado St., Monterey, 647-9000.

It''s difficult to pin down the most attractive aspect of the Spa on the Plaza. Whether it''s a seaweed peel, a warm river stone massage, a paraffin dip pedicure, or yoga classes, spa guests feel an overall sense of comfort and relaxation. Operations manager Jacklyn Behrick says, "Our personal attention and our care really makes people feel that they are at home here." And certainly worth the second place winner''s nod is the Spa at Pebble Beach-a 22,000-square-foot facility with prices to match its location. "Since we are so expensive, we tend to have locals come here for special occasions," says manager Lara Davidson.

Best Women''s Clothing Boutique

BLISS BOUTIQUE

1021 S. Main St., Salinas, 751-6600.

This is the perfect place to do a little sole searching. But really, Bliss Boutique in Salinas has so much more to offer than shoes. The sassy shop offers funky, fashionable duds for very reasonable prices. Find flirty dresses, pop-art handbags, edgy tiny tops, and this season''s hottest satin cargo pants. Don''t feel guilty about buying ''em all, because the store''s price tags won''t break the bank. Second place winner GBG in Carmel rivals any big city boutique with pieces from all the top designers-BCBG, Seven Jeans, Betsey Johnson, Trina Turk and Prada.

Best Shopping District/Center

DEL MONTE CENTER

Munras Ave., Monterey, 373-2705.

Best Place to Buy Art Supplies

SEARLE ART SUPPLIES

639B Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 373-0126.

Best Place to Buy Craft Supplies

BEVERLY''S

2090 N. Fremont Blvd., Monterey, 646-5141.

344 S. Main St., Salinas, 422-1508.

Best Bank

WASHINGTON MUTUAL

Various Locations.

Best Bike Store

JOSELYN''S BICYCLES

398 E. Franklin St., Monterey, 649-8520.

Best Used Book Store

OLD CAPITOL

639A Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 375-2665.

Best Bookstore

BORDERS

2080 California Ave., Sand City, 899-6643.

Best Car Dealership

VICTORY TOYOTA

5 Heitzinger Plaza, Seaside, 393-3020.

Best Car Repair Shop

ROBERT''S AUTO

234 Ramona Ave., Monterey, 373-1534.

Best Place to Get Smogged

PACIFIC SMOG

1993 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside, 899-8877.

Best Carwash

EL ESTERO CAR WASH

590 Fremont St., Monterey, 373-1801.

Best Computer Store

PC PEOPLE

534 Abrego St., Monterey, 649-5900.

Best Dive Shop

MANTA RAY DIVE CENTER

245 Foam St., Monterey, 375-6268.

Best Dry Cleaners

PACIFIC GROVE CLEANERS

222 Grand Ave., Pacific Grove, 375-2494.

Best Ethnic Market

INTERNATIONAL MARKET

580 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, 375-9451.

Best Florist

SWENSON AND SILACCI FLOWERS

432 Alvarado St., Monterey, 375-2725.

110 John St., Salinas, 424-2725.

684 E. Boronda Rd., Salinas, 442-2725.

Best Golf Shop

GOLF MART

2040 Fremont Blvd., Seaside, 583-1000.

Best Health Club

MONTEREY SPORTS CENTER

301 E. Franklin St., Monterey, 646-3700.

Best Yoga Teacher

KIM CANDLER-SLATE

Best Furniture Store

HOMESCAPES CARMEL

Dolores and 7th, Carmel, 624-6499.

Best Jewelry Store

GASPER''S

447 Alvarado St., Monterey, 375-5332.

Best Internet Provider

REDSHIFT

www.redshift.com

Best Men''s Clothing Store

MACY''S

100 Del Monte Center, Munras Ave., Monterey, 372-3333.

200 Northridge Mall, Salinas, 443-1111.

Best Women''s Clothing Boutique

BLISS BOUTIQUE

1021 S. Main St., Salinas, 751-6600.

Best Secondhand Clothing

GOODWILL

Various Locations.

Best Independent Shoe Store

LLOYDS SHOES

Ocean and Dolores, Carmel, 625-1382.

Best Store for Musical Instruments

GADSBY''S

219 Monterey St., Salinas, 424-2711.

Best Neighborhood Market

GROVE MARKET

242 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove, 375-9581.

Best Outdoor Gear Store

OUTDOOR WORLD

2222 N. Fremont Blvd., Monterey, 373-3615.

Best Nursery

GRIGGS NURSERY

9220 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, 626-0680.

1021 David Ave., Pacific Grove. 373-6961.

Best Pet Store

PETSMART

1265 N. Davis Rd., Salinas, 775-0318.

2020 California Ave., Sand City, 392-0150.

Best Pharmacy

LONG''S

Various Locations

Best Photo Store

GREEN''S CAMERA WORLD

Various Locations

Best Grocery Store

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

800 Del Monte Center, Munras Ave., Monterey, 333-1600.

Best Selection of Liquor

CORK ''N'' BOTTLE

Various Locations

Best Wine Market

RANCHO CELLARS

26340 Carmel Rancho Blvd., Carmel, 625-5646.

Best Organic Produce

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

800 Del Monte Center, Munras Ave., Monterey, 333-1600.

Best Seafood Market

SEA HARVEST

Various Locations.

Best Plumber

WILSON''S PLUMBING

Various Locations, 375-4591.

Best Hardware Store

ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE

800 Playa Ave., Sand City, 899-5144. 1067 N. Davis Rd., Salinas, 422-9652.

Best Retirement Facility

CANTERBURY WOODS

651 Sinex Ave., Pacific Grove, 373-3111.

Best Place to Buy CDs/Tapes

BORDERS

2080 California Ave., Sand City, 899-6643.

Best Place to Buy a Cellphone

VERIZON WIRELESS

Various Locations.

Best Local Web Site

WWW.COASTWEEKLY.COM

Best Surf Shop

ON THE BEACH SURF SHOP

711 Cannery Row, Monterey, 646-9283.

Best Spa

SPA ON THE PLAZA

201A Alvarado St., Monterey, 647-9000.

Best Thrift Store

GOODWILL

Various Locations.

Best Place/Rent Video/DVDs

BLOCKBUSTER

Various Locations.

Best Shoe Repair Shop

FEDERICO''S DRIVE-IN SHOE REPAIR

542 Abrego St., Monterey, 649-3322.

Best Toy Store

THINKER TOYS

480 Del Monte Center, Munras Ave., Monterey, 643-0907.

San Carlos and 7th, Carmel, 624-0441.