Santa Cruz Mountains Visitor Guide

26/12/2024

Some nice snaps from the San Lorenzo Valley Post at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park December 25, 2024.

04/12/2024

Looking for the perfect Santa Cruz County venue to spend your New Year's Eve? Here's the roundup of local NYE parties for Tuesday, December 31, 2024! 🎉🎶💃

Click here to see the list:

The roundup of live music for New Year's Eve in Santa Cruz County. Easy at-a-glance quick reference guide to ring in the New Year 2025!

01/12/2024

"The air in Ben Lomond will soon be filled with warmth and holiday spirit as the mountain community comes together for a brand-new tradition: an annual Tree Lighting Party at the Ben Lomond Volunteer Fire Dept. On Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 4 to 7 pm, the Ben Lomond Village Alliance (BLVA) will host this festive gathering that promises fun, connection, and seasonal cheer!"

Read more from Blake Holiday in the San Lorenzo Valley Post:

By Blake Holiday The air in Ben Lomond will soon be filled with warmth and holiday spirit as the mountain community comes together for a brand-new tradition: an annual Tree Lighting Party at the Ben Lomond Fire Department. On Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 4 to 7 pm, the Ben Lomond Village Alliance....

27/11/2024

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is a great place to visit this time of year and kickstart your holiday exercise goals! The visitor kiosk is staffed with knowledgeable docents who will update you about the park's recovery after the CZU fire and guide you to the many reopened trails.

24/10/2024

A taste of the Santa Cruz Mountains this weekend at Roberts' Ranch Vineyards in Ben Lomond!

The 🍁 Harvest Party is here! This Saturday, October 26 at 3pm, join local songbirds Sugar by the Pound as we celebrate the 2024 harvest at Roberts Ranch Winery. 🍷 Five wines to try, appetizers, pumpkins, caramel apples for the kids, and warm hospitality awaits you at the hilltop winery in Ben Lomond! Oh, and costumes are welcome! Tix: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/996401512747

03/10/2024

Take a look at this beautiful harvest photo from Soquel Vineyards 🍇

Our Estate Vineyard was planted in 2005, with the first harvest in 2008. Today, pre-dawn, marks our 16th! Celebrate! 😀🍷

26/09/2024

The San Lorenzo Valley Post compiles an inclusive list of live music in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the greater Santa Cruz area every Thursday - super helpful for making weekend plans when visiting the area!

15/09/2024

Kitchen Table Kibitzing: Santa Cruz Mountains' Big Trees

Recently somebody commented about the “interesting looking” tree in this photo and wondered where we were. The where is the Santa Cruz mountains about an hour south of San Francisco. And ...

13/09/2024

Recommended weekend event: The 4th Annual Brewgrass Festival at Roaring Camp Railroads Saturday, September 14 from 1:00 to 8:30 pm! Featuring top national and regional bluegrass bands and highlighting craft breweries from all over California. Tix: https://roaringcamp.com/brewgrass-info

LAUGHING WATER STAGE

Water Tower – 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Caltucky – 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
The Lil’ Smokies – 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

HOP JUICE STAGE

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Marin County Breakdown
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Jimbo Scott & Yesterday’s Biscuits
5:30 – 6:30 PM – Lindsay Lou

BREWERIES

Alvarado St. Brewing
Humble Sea Brewing Co.
Shanty Shack Brewing
Woodhouse Blending & Brewing
Steel Bonnet Brewing Company
Laughing Monk Brewing
Balefire Brewing Company
SC Scrumpy Cider
Santa Cruz Cider Co.

13/09/2024

The San Lorenzo Valley Post puts out a list of live music for the Santa Cruz Mountains and all around Santa Cruz County every Thursday afternoon in advance of the weekend. This is a good place to start when you're making plans to head our way for a visit! 🌲🍂🍁🎶

30/08/2024

The roundup of live music events for the long Labor Day weekend:

The weekend roundup of live music, concerts, and shows for the Santa Cruz area. Easy at-a-glance quick reference music guide.

26/08/2024

A bucolic ranch scene in the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills west of I-280 between Los Altos Hills and Woodside, in Santa Clara County, California.

16/08/2024

Dappled shade at Soquel Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Upstream from Mountain School, around the split with Laurel Glen.

Beautiful summer photo by Rob on IG

25/07/2024

The San Lorenzo Valley Post puts together a great list of live music around the Santa Cruz area and the mountains. Here are the offerings for the weekend of July 25-28. 🍀

24/07/2024

Whether for the view or for the challenge, hiking the mountainous peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains is the best way to experience more of this beautiful region. Collected here are the 20 best to choose from for your next adventure 🌲

Whether for the view or for the challenge, climbing the mountainous peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains is the best way to experience more of this beautiful region. But with 20 to choose from, it can be tough to know which peak to proceed with. That’s why we’ve collected the best peaks and summits...