Things to Do in the Santa Cruz Mountains: A Local's Guide
One of the best parts of living in the Santa Cruz Mountains is that the things people drive hours to experience are simply your weekend. Whether you already live here or you are imagining what life could look like, here is a local's guide to making the most of the mountains.
Hike among the redwoods
The mountains are defined by their old-growth redwoods, and two state parks anchor the experience. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, just outside Felton, is famous for its 40-acre grove of towering old-growth trees and offers roughly 30 miles of trails — the Fall Creek and River trails are local favorites. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's first state park, is home to the celebrated Skyline-to-Sea Trail, a roughly 30-mile route considered one of the best long-distance hikes in the Bay Area, with plenty of shorter loops for a casual afternoon.
Taste the wine country
The Santa Cruz Mountains are one of California's most rugged and underappreciated wine regions — only around 80 wineries and 1,500 acres of vines, but a serious reputation. A scenic drive along the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Trail can take you to celebrated names like Ridge Vineyards, nestled high in the mountains among some of the region's oldest vines. Many tasting rooms pair beautifully with a picnic and a view.
Ride the Roaring Camp railroads
In Felton, Roaring Camp Railroads runs historic steam trains through the redwoods — a beloved outing for families and a charming reminder of the area's logging history. It is the kind of local institution that makes mountain life feel rooted.
Get outside, every way you can
Recreation in the mountains goes well beyond hiking. Residents enjoy mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing at spots like Castle Rock, and — because the coast is so close — surfing and beach days are never far away. The ecological diversity here is remarkable, and a big part of the appeal is how easily a redwood morning becomes an ocean afternoon.
Explore the mountain towns
Do not overlook the simple pleasure of the towns themselves. Felton and Boulder Creek offer laid-back main streets with independent shops, cafés, craft breweries, and local eateries. A slow afternoon wandering one of these towns is its own kind of recreation.
A starter weekend
Saturday morning: a redwood hike at Henry Cowell or Big Basin.
Saturday afternoon: lunch and a stroll through Felton or Boulder Creek.
Sunday: a drive along the Wine Trail with a tasting and a picnic.
Any day: a quick drop to the coast for a beach walk before sunset.
The bottom line
The Santa Cruz Mountains reward people who love the outdoors and a slower, richer pace of life. If you are considering a move here, spend a weekend living like a local — hike, taste, wander a main street — and you will quickly know whether the mountains are your place. When you are ready to find a home base for all of it, I would love to help.