The San Lorenzo Valley

 

Located midway up the San Lorenzo Valley, Ben Lomond is a deceptively large community. It stretches north to Brookdale and south to Felton alongside the twin ribbons of Highway 9 and the San Lorenzo River. It climbs west into mountainous neighborhoods like Alba Road, but also stretches east into the mysterious sandhills and lush redwood canyons of Zayante country. This eastern neighborhood, known as Glen Arbor, is a hidden suburban gem. Downtown Ben Lomond is also one of the most charming in the region. From premiere shopping experiences like Mountain Farm & Feed Supply and the Ben Lomond Market to amazing live music, drink, and cuisine at Henflings and Casa Nostra, Ben Lomond is a tiny town that knows how to party. Plus, it boasts numerous greenspaces, including Highlands Park, a riverside trail network, a community center, and a sports complex.

 

 

One hundred and fifty years after peak lumber, Boulder Creek remains relevant thanks to its unique geographical position. Located high in the mountains, Boulder Creek is a gateway between Silicon Valley and the Monterey Bay region. And because of its access to Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Santa Cruz, Boulder Creek has become a highly desirable commuter community. This vibrant, close-knit small town also boasts a bustling little downtown of great restaurants, bars, and art galleries like Scopazzi’s, Joe’s Bar, and the lille aeske arthouse. Residents often gather to swim in the river at Junction Park or disappear on the miles of trails in the surrounding mountains and state parks. Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Castle Rock State Park are both short drives from the city center and playing nine holes at Boulder Creek Golf Course is a lot like hiking through a state park.

 

 

With its history of ghosts, gangsters, and Hollywood glam, the Brookdale Lodge is a must-see for tourists. It’s hard to miss. Just keep an eye out for a three-story portrait of James Dean. Brookdale was the site of a large sawmill until 1900 when James Harvey Logan, a Santa Cruz judge and creator of the loganberry, purchased the mill, created a creekside resort with cabins and camping, and established the Brookdale post office in 1902. Today, roughly 2,000 people live in quaint mountain homes entwined among the redwoods. This is deep forest living.

 

 

Bigfoot Museums, covered bridges, jam bands, log cabin bars, and swimming holes - Felton is the funky heart of the San Lorenzo Valley. It’s also the valley’s business center. If you need a Safeway, cheap gas, or a wider choice of restaurants, Felton is your spot. Home to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, one of the most beautiful and diverse natural wonders in the state, Felton is a world-class tourism destination, but still a sleepy little hometown. It’s also become something of a music mecca thanks to the Felton Music Hall and outdoor concerts at Roaring Camp Railroads such as the Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival.