Heidi’s guidebook for San Lorenzo Valley

Heidi
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.
335 locals raden deze aan
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
101 N Big Trees Park Rd
335 locals raden deze aan
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.
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!
36 locals raden deze aan
Fall Creek Unit Trailhead
Felton Empire Road
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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!
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.
230 locals raden deze aan
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin Way
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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.
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!
12 locals raden deze aan
Sanborn County Park
16055 Sanborn Rd
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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!
Great hiking, bouldering, and rock climbing destination!
64 locals raden deze aan
Castle Rock State Park
15451 CA-35
64 locals raden deze aan
Great hiking, bouldering, and rock climbing destination!
Best kept secret!
Portola Redwoods State Park
9000 Portola State Park Rd
Best kept secret!
Black Mountain hike
9 locals raden deze aan
Monte Bello Preserve
4301 Page Mill Road
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Black Mountain hike
Great wildflowers
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Russian Ridge Preserve
14 locals raden deze aan
Great wildflowers
Great hiking trails
Skyline Ridge Preserve
Great hiking trails
nice and cool in the summer heat
37 locals raden deze aan
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
37 locals raden deze aan
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.
18 locals raden deze aan
Boulder Creek
18 locals raden deze aan
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.
22 locals raden deze aan
Felton
22 locals raden deze aan
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.
9 locals raden deze aan
The Sawmill Restaurant and Ale House
15520 California 9
9 locals raden deze aan
Closest local restaurant, still pretty new, but good fish and chips and other pub food.
Best Pizza EVER!
33 locals raden deze aan
Boulder Creek Glass
13200-b Central Ave
33 locals raden deze aan
Best Pizza EVER!
Best Organic Food Store!
89 locals raden deze aan
Wild Roots Market
13159 Central Ave
89 locals raden deze aan
Best Organic Food Store!
Best Chinese Food, Sue is the best!
27 locals raden deze aan
The Red Pearl
13151 CA-9
27 locals raden deze aan
Best Chinese Food, Sue is the best!
Yum...coffee and pastries.
22 locals raden deze aan
Jenna Sue's Cafe
13090 CA-9
22 locals raden deze aan
Yum...coffee and pastries.
Good sushi, but not open regular hours since covid.
26 locals raden deze aan
Tae's Edo Sushi Bar
13271 CA-9
26 locals raden deze aan
Good 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
65 locals raden deze aan
Alice's Restaurant
17288 Skyline Blvd
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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
A bit crowded since its newly opened, but good place for food and cocktails.
6 locals raden deze aan
Humble Sea Tavern
6256 California 9
6 locals raden deze aan
A bit crowded since its newly opened, but good place for food and cocktails.
34 locals raden deze aan
Taqueria Vallarta
893 41st Ave
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Sightseeing

If golfing is your thing...
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Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club
16901 Big Basin Hwy
14 locals raden deze aan
If golfing is your thing...
They have cool music events too.
10 locals raden deze aan
lille æske
13160 CA-9
10 locals raden deze aan
They have cool music events too.
Music scene!
41 locals raden deze aan
Felton Music Hall
6275 Hwy 9
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Music scene!
great play ground area and historic bridge
22 locals raden deze aan
Felton Covered Bridge County Park
Graham Hill Road
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great 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 9
Cool 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!
49 locals raden deze aan
Mount Hermon Adventures
17 Conference Dr
49 locals raden deze aan
We've never gone to try this locally, but I hear its a real fun time!
A bit of a tourist trap, but still fun nonetheless.
208 locals raden deze aan
De Mystery Spot
465 Mystery Spot Rd
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A bit of a tourist trap, but still fun nonetheless.
Good old fashioned fun.
745 locals raden deze aan
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach St
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Good old fashioned fun.
Just stop in here for fun, so many great things to gift, or buy for yourself!
22 locals raden deze aan
Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
9550 CA-9
22 locals raden deze aan
Just stop in here for fun, so many great things to gift, or buy for yourself!

Wineries

Local wineries to enjoy.
16 locals raden deze aan
David Bruce Winery
21439 Bear Creek Rd
16 locals raden deze aan
22 locals raden deze aan
Hallcrest Vineyards
379 Felton Empire Rd
22 locals raden deze aan
32 locals raden deze aan
Beauregard Vineyard
10 Pine Flat Rd
32 locals raden deze aan
19 locals raden deze aan
Byington Vineyard & Winery
21850 Bear Creek Rd
19 locals raden deze aan
6 locals raden deze aan
Big Basin Vineyards
830 Memory Ln
6 locals raden deze aan
32 locals raden deze aan
Venus Spirits
200 High Rd
32 locals raden deze aan

Dispensary

If you need some good herbs for smoking or edibles.
Creekside Wellness
12603 California 9