Heidi’s guidebook for San Lorenzo Valley
Hiking destinations
Great hiking trails and gift shop with unique redwood collections. I suggest the hike to the Observation Deck which provides a great view all the way to the ocean.
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Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park RdGreat hiking trails and gift shop with unique redwood collections. I suggest the hike to the Observation Deck which provides a great view all the way to the ocean.
This is actually part of Henry Cowell Unit, but the trailhead is separate from the main park. This features many excellent trails, and sometimes less crowds. The hike to the historic lime kilns is a great one!
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Fall Creek Unit Trailhead
Felton Empire RoadThis is actually part of Henry Cowell Unit, but the trailhead is separate from the main park. This features many excellent trails, and sometimes less crowds. The hike to the historic lime kilns is a great one!
Tragically much of this park was destroyed by the CZU fire in 2020, however, it has recently reopened as of July 2022. Reservations are required as the parking is limited now until further developments are completed. Visit the Big Basin and CA State parks website for details.
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Big Basin Redwoods delstatspark
21600 Big Basin WayTragically much of this park was destroyed by the CZU fire in 2020, however, it has recently reopened as of July 2022. Reservations are required as the parking is limited now until further developments are completed. Visit the Big Basin and CA State parks website for details.
Great picnic sites and hiking trails, can also be accessed from Skyline Blvd. I recommend the John Nicolas Trail for the Mountain Bikers. My husband Eric constructed that trail and it was featured in Sunset Magazine!
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Sanborn County Park
16055 Sanborn RdGreat picnic sites and hiking trails, can also be accessed from Skyline Blvd. I recommend the John Nicolas Trail for the Mountain Bikers. My husband Eric constructed that trail and it was featured in Sunset Magazine!
Great hiking, bouldering, and rock climbing destination!
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Castle Rock State Park
15451 CA-35Great hiking, bouldering, and rock climbing destination!
Portola Redwoods State Park
9000 Portola State Park RdBest kept secret!
Monte Bello Preserve
4301 Page Mill RoadBlack Mountain hike
Russian Ridge Preserve
Great wildflowers
Skyline Ridge Preserve
Great hiking trails
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
nice and cool in the summer heat
City/town information
Great little downtown to stroll the shops and support the locals. Visit the antique shop, stroll through Air and Fire to pick up some crystals and local magic. Head to Wild Roots for some great deli sandwiches or sushi, get the best pizza at the local pizza and pub, as well as the best Chinese food at the Red Pearl. Joe's bar is the famous local dive bar, if that is more your style. Jenna Sue's and the Tree House Cafe are the best coffee/bakeries and BOTH are really good! Jenna Sue's still has the best biscuits and gravy though.
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Boulder Creek
Great little downtown to stroll the shops and support the locals. Visit the antique shop, stroll through Air and Fire to pick up some crystals and local magic. Head to Wild Roots for some great deli sandwiches or sushi, get the best pizza at the local pizza and pub, as well as the best Chinese food at the Red Pearl. Joe's bar is the famous local dive bar, if that is more your style. Jenna Sue's and the Tree House Cafe are the best coffee/bakeries and BOTH are really good! Jenna Sue's still has the best biscuits and gravy though.
They have food trucks and live music at the Historic and famously haunted, Brookdale Lodge.
Brookdale
They have food trucks and live music at the Historic and famously haunted, Brookdale Lodge.
The Ben Lomond local theater puts on some great shows, the local market is also pretty good, but the Mountain Feed is really the best place in town. Casa Nostra and Tyrolean Inn both have some good food options. Casa Nostra is great Italian food, and Tyrolean Inn has great traditional German food/beer. Both have some lovely outdoor beer garden patios.
Ben Lomond
The Ben Lomond local theater puts on some great shows, the local market is also pretty good, but the Mountain Feed is really the best place in town. Casa Nostra and Tyrolean Inn both have some good food options. Casa Nostra is great Italian food, and Tyrolean Inn has great traditional German food/beer. Both have some lovely outdoor beer garden patios.
The Mystery Spot, Zip-lining in Mt. Hermon, visit the Old Growth at Henry Cowell, take a dip in the San Lorenzo (farther down stream from our house), and some excellent dining options as well.
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Felton
The Mystery Spot, Zip-lining in Mt. Hermon, visit the Old Growth at Henry Cowell, take a dip in the San Lorenzo (farther down stream from our house), and some excellent dining options as well.
Food scene
Closest local restaurant, still pretty new, but good fish and chips and other pub food.
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The Sawmill Restaurant and Ale House
15520 California 9Closest local restaurant, still pretty new, but good fish and chips and other pub food.
Boulder Creek Glass
13200-b Central AveBest Pizza EVER!
Wild Roots Market
13159 Central AveBest Organic Food Store!
The Red Pearl
13151 CA-9Best Chinese Food, Sue is the best!
Jenna Sue's Cafe
13090 CA-9Yum...coffee and pastries.
Tae's Edo Sushi Bar
13271 CA-9Good sushi, but not open regular hours since covid.
This place is totally worth the detour, both for food and atmosphere. Also, there's TONs of hiking options all along Skyline Blvd via the Mid-peninsula Open Space District
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Alice's Restaurant
17288 Skyline BlvdThis place is totally worth the detour, both for food and atmosphere. Also, there's TONs of hiking options all along Skyline Blvd via the Mid-peninsula Open Space District
A bit crowded since its newly opened, but good place for food and cocktails.
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Humble Sea Tavern
6256 California 9A bit crowded since its newly opened, but good place for food and cocktails.
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st AveSightseeing
Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club
16901 Big Basin HwyIf golfing is your thing...
lille æske
13160 CA-9They have cool music events too.
Felton Music Hall
6275 Hwy 9Music scene!
Felton Covered Bridge County Park
Graham Hill Roadgreat play ground area and historic bridge
Cool little playground, picnic area, open field, skateboard ramp, and outdoor exercise equipment and right across the street from the Sawmill for food.
Garrahan Park
15520 California 9Cool little playground, picnic area, open field, skateboard ramp, and outdoor exercise equipment and right across the street from the Sawmill for food.
We've never gone to try this locally, but I hear its a real fun time!
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Mount Hermon Adventures
17 Conference DrWe've never gone to try this locally, but I hear its a real fun time!
The Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot RdA bit of a tourist trap, but still fun nonetheless.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StGood old fashioned fun.
Just stop in here for fun, so many great things to gift, or buy for yourself!
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Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
9550 CA-9Just stop in here for fun, so many great things to gift, or buy for yourself!
Wineries
Local wineries to enjoy.
David Bruce Winery
21439 Bear Creek RdHallcrest Vineyards
379 Felton Empire RdBeauregard Vineyard
10 Pine Flat RdByington Vineyard & Winery
21850 Bear Creek RdBig Basin Vineyards
830 Memory LnVenus Spirits
200 High RdDispensary
If you need some good herbs for smoking or edibles.
Creekside Wellness
12603 California 9