Ben Lomond, North Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains
Drinks & Nightlife
Dinner and or Dance, check the website for music line-up.
Henfling's of Ben Lomond
9450 CA-9Local watering hole check for entertainment.
For years I avoided Monty's thinking it looked a little rough, but I was missing out. Casual and fun, lovely garden, and a few local legends.
7 locals recommend
Monty's Log Cabin
5755 Hwy 9For years I avoided Monty's thinking it looked a little rough, but I was missing out. Casual and fun, lovely garden, and a few local legends.
Cowboy Bar & Grill
5447 Hwy 9Entertainment & Activities
Historic Steam Train operated between the Redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Manciple Wharf and Main Beach (Steamers Lane or stroll down West Cliff drive). Special trains are available seasonally, moonlight dances, chuck wagon dinners, christmas train, and children's programs or historic re-enactments.
150 locals recommend
Roaring Camp
5401 Graham Hill RdHistoric Steam Train operated between the Redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Manciple Wharf and Main Beach (Steamers Lane or stroll down West Cliff drive). Special trains are available seasonally, moonlight dances, chuck wagon dinners, christmas train, and children's programs or historic re-enactments.
DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course
1468 Upper Park RdLargest Frisby Course
Pasatiempo Golf Course
20 Clubhouse RdHistoric and Beautiful Golf Course
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park
400 Beach StRecently rebuilt from the ground up after a devastating fire, this popular creek side club has never been better. Sunday and Wednesday are Yoga classes on the pool deck followed by free swim.
7 locals recommend
Trout Farm Inn
7701 E Zayante RdRecently rebuilt from the ground up after a devastating fire, this popular creek side club has never been better. Sunday and Wednesday are Yoga classes on the pool deck followed by free swim.
Parks & Nature
Trails around various distinct habitats, family nature programs.
21 locals recommend
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
800 Quail Hollow RdTrails around various distinct habitats, family nature programs.
Redwood Park with fantastic trails, dogs are allowed on some trails with a leash.
230 locals recommend
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin WayRedwood Park with fantastic trails, dogs are allowed on some trails with a leash.
Redwood Park with fantastic trails, dogs are allowed on some trails with a leash.
38 locals recommend
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
2591 Graham Hill RdRedwood Park with fantastic trails, dogs are allowed on some trails with a leash.
Geology of the Natural Bridge formations, but also home to millions of hibernating Monarch Butterflies.
261 locals recommend
Natural Bridges State Beach
2531 W Cliff DrGeology of the Natural Bridge formations, but also home to millions of hibernating Monarch Butterflies.
Restored 19th century steam trains will take you to the picnic grounds in the Redwood Trees, or the Beach Boardwalk. Be sure to check the website for moon light dances and chuck wagon dinners. This is fun for the entire family.
58 locals recommend
Roaring Camp, Big Trees and Pacific Railroad Station
North Big Trees Park RoadRestored 19th century steam trains will take you to the picnic grounds in the Redwood Trees, or the Beach Boardwalk. Be sure to check the website for moon light dances and chuck wagon dinners. This is fun for the entire family.
Sightseeing
UCSC Marine Lab Visitors Center on the Bluffs near the Santa Cruz Wharf and Beach Boardwalk. Access through a farmers field,
80 locals recommend
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
100 McAllister WayUCSC Marine Lab Visitors Center on the Bluffs near the Santa Cruz Wharf and Beach Boardwalk. Access through a farmers field,
Free Harbor Taxi Rides, great beaches, iconic Crows Nest for food and music.
40 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Harbor
135 5th AveFree Harbor Taxi Rides, great beaches, iconic Crows Nest for food and music.
Essentials
Ben Lomond Market
9440 Mill StHigh quality grocery store with many local products.
I love checking out the seals resting on the joists at the end of the wharf. Here there are cutouts to allow viewing. There is no better view of the coast, and no other place to have such immediate variety of people and animals to watch.
Municipal Wharf
Municipal WharfI love checking out the seals resting on the joists at the end of the wharf. Here there are cutouts to allow viewing. There is no better view of the coast, and no other place to have such immediate variety of people and animals to watch.
Shopping
Iconic Flea Market held every Fri., Sat, Sunday in the old Skyview Drive-In Theater on Soquel near Dominican Hospital.
6 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Flea Market
2260 Soquel DrIconic Flea Market held every Fri., Sat, Sunday in the old Skyview Drive-In Theater on Soquel near Dominican Hospital.
Felton
Favorite Places to Eat
Ben Lomond Bungalow, located 10 miles above the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and municipal wharf in located in the San Lorenzo Valley, first know for the rich lumber industry. Three communities that rose during the 19th century remain and charming historic villages. We enjoy all three, but also selected special places to visit in Santa Cruz, and along the Central Coast.
Farm-to-table selections ranging from fresh sustainable seafood to the finest hand-selected grass-fed beef and wonderful vegetarian dishes. There is full salad bar and gluten-free options, expanded cocktail menu. Recently opened and a FABULOUS addition to the San Lorenzo Valley. Be sure to check out the floor show schedule on the Web page. There is a great dance floor and a place to make wonderful memories.
41 locals recommend
Felton Music Hall
6275 Hwy 9 Farm-to-table selections ranging from fresh sustainable seafood to the finest hand-selected grass-fed beef and wonderful vegetarian dishes. There is full salad bar and gluten-free options, expanded cocktail menu. Recently opened and a FABULOUS addition to the San Lorenzo Valley. Be sure to check out the floor show schedule on the Web page. There is a great dance floor and a place to make wonderful memories.
Authentic Italian cuisine. Romantic and festive setting for birthdays, and special events. One-of-a-kind taproom in the redwoods.
49 locals recommend
Ristorante Casa Nostra
9217 CA-9Authentic Italian cuisine. Romantic and festive setting for birthdays, and special events. One-of-a-kind taproom in the redwoods.
Best German food we have found in the state. Friday night is wild game night, Thursday is the big buffet (I would still order off the menu). Lots of Charm, dinning room fireplace or chose the covered porch with Redwood trees growing out the porch. We are saddened that the wonderful fountain was removed by the former property owner when the land changed hands.
19 locals recommend
Tyrolean Inn Restaurant
9600 Hwy 9Best German food we have found in the state. Friday night is wild game night, Thursday is the big buffet (I would still order off the menu). Lots of Charm, dinning room fireplace or chose the covered porch with Redwood trees growing out the porch. We are saddened that the wonderful fountain was removed by the former property owner when the land changed hands.
The basic breakfast in the original vintage setting. Good service and dependable food.
16 locals recommend
Spanky's
9520 Hwy 9The basic breakfast in the original vintage setting. Good service and dependable food.
La Placa Family Bakery
9280 Hwy 9Fabulous Bakery and Pizza.
The Red Pearl
13151 CA-9 Asian, all of their food fresh and made on location.