Clay Cafe is a bright, contemporary paint-your-own-pottery studio. I recently had the chance to visit the space and its owners Alia and her husband Santiago (“Santi” for short.) Their family-run business offers a refreshing departure from traditional crafts venues.
The concept is simple: choose one of hundreds of ceramic pieces, paint it using the cafe’s glazes and tools, then leave it for firing. Pick up your finished creation a few days later.
What happens in between — the painting, the conversations, the discoveries — is the heart of the experience.
Stepping inside, I’m struck by the design. The space feels light and airy, with the kind of aesthetic you’d see on a home renovation show. One wall features artificial green sprouts emerging from large rectangular sections — just one of many thoughtful design elements throughout the cafe.
“Our family debates — and then comes to an agreement — about all the decor,” Alia tells me.
A Family Leap
The Clay Cafe story begins with a dramatic life change. Late last year, Alia’s entire family sold their homes in Texas, packed up their lives (including Alia and Santi’s two dogs and two cats), and drove across the country to open the cafe.
“How was the drive from Texas with four animals?” I ask.
“It was chill,” Alia says with a shrug. “We knew it was the right move.”
This matter-of-fact confidence seems to permeate everything about the cafe. The family designed the space themselves on an iPad, then worked together to make it a reality.
The build-out completed, the family continues to work together. Alia’s father Ross, who ran a successful flooring and home remodeling company, offers ongoing business advice and expertise. Her sister Lulu handles children’s parties. Brother Rod focuses on marketing. Her mom Joyce experiments with new pieces.
Santi brings his own journey to the venture: he’d been working in biotechnology, dealing with fruit flies in a laboratory.
“He didn’t like it,” Alia says.
“There wasn’t much of an opportunity to be creative,” Santi admits.
Now Santi helps with the day-to-day operation of the cafe and fills in wherever needed. He also mans the kiln.
Beyond Child’s Play
When visitors arrive at Clay Cafe for the first time, staff members ask, “Have you painted pottery before?”
The most common response: “Not since I was a kid.”
This is something Alia wants to change.
“Art is not just for children,” she says. “It is something that adults can and should do, too.”
The cafe encourages walk-ins — no reservations needed — though you can schedule a time if you would like. Private events are possible, too, with separate spaces allowing different groups to maintain privacy.
Recently, the Clay Cafe even provided an off-site activity for a Century City law firm, bringing pieces to forty legal staff and transporting the painted works back for firing.
Creating Connection
What sets Clay Cafe apart isn’t just the beautiful space or the quality of materials — it’s the human connection. Alia and Santi make it a priority to greet everyone at the door.
“Maybe people aren’t sure what goes on here,” Alia explains. “Or they don’t know how to interact with the space. We’re here to welcome them and help them.”
The staff walks a careful balance between enthusiasm and restraint.
“We get so excited, we want to offer advice and suggestions to every guest for every project,” Alia says. “At the same time, we don’t want to bother people.”
Moments of Discovery
Every day, Alia witnesses what she calls “ah-ha moments” — when someone discovers they can create something beautiful.
One regular visitor particularly stands out: a child whose mother confided to Alia, “He has serious ADHD, but not here.”
The joy extends to others as well. “I get giddy to open the kiln and see how all the guests’ stuff turned out,” Santi tells me.
Alia says, “As the kiln finishes, we open it just a little and take photos of the inside with our phones, so we can see the results as soon as we can!”
Vision for the Future
Clay Cafe already has its sights set on expansion. Plans to add a coffee bar are well underway.
“We love coffee as a family,” Alia says.
Further down the road, they hope to offer wet clay complete with pottery wheels, adding another dimension to their creative offerings.
“We hope people discover something new every time they come to the cafe,” Alia says. “Maybe a new technique, or a new way of doing something. A new approach. Or even just a new color.”
The Right Move
Watching Alia and Santi interact with their space and their customers, it’s clear they’ve found their calling.
Now, in their bright Santa Monica studio, they’ve created something that feels essential: a place where creativity isn’t rushed, where adults can rediscover artistic expression, and where a family’s vision has become a community gathering space.
Oh, and the four pets (dogs Francis and Arthur and cats Mona and Momo) have settled in just fine, I’m told. They often accompany their owners and hang out in a special space in the cafe.
Clay Cafe is located in Santa Monica and welcomes walk-ins daily. No experience necessary.
