AMAZING getaway close to San Francisco!! My husband and I are always trying to figure out nature…read moregetaways close to SF that aren't super crowded. We drove down from SF on a Friday (learn from our mistake: avoid taking 101-S on Friday afternoon!..). We stayed in the Hummingbird room which has its own hot tub - it was incredible to soak in a hot tub underneath the stars after hiking an 8-miler at Big Basin. David and Susan were warm, accessible hosts who were immediately responsive via text (the property is large enough that you can go without seeing other people for many hours). It's a quick (~25 min) drive to Big Basin Redwoods National Park as well as the cute towns of Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond. So affordable for the value. Highly recommended!!! We want to return with a group of friends and/or family since there are multiple rooms at this B&B so it would be a perfect group retreat. They are currently going through some renovations on the property but nothing that was distracting or loud. Book it now!

UPDATE ON SKYHOUSE. Although we had an amazing Company retreat at this house, the communications…read moreregarding the refundable deposit owed to us has been hell. To date, we have not received our funds back and no response from emails, texts or phone calls. Poor business ethic. Just had the most enjoyable and incredible company working session at the Skyhouse. The Robinsons and their awesome staff (Kathy Jo, Stacy and Billy) took very good care of us and we didn't have to do a thing. All communications was via email and our catering needs and any questions we had were answered quickly and efficiently and it was a joy to know that when our group arrived, we would be taken care of. We had lunch and breakfast catered and have a mixed group of vegans, vegetarians and other and EVERYONE was happy. Prior to our arrival, I needed suggestions on the rooming arrangements and David was awesome in making some very helpful suggestions. The venue was the perfect spot for our team to collaborate together while being able to have open discussions about trust and working better as a team. We used both the outside deck and inside living area for our working sessions AND the kitchen for our team activity -- cooking a four course meal together. The ONLY downside was that we worked too hard and didn't have a chance to fully enjoy the space and surrounding areas but at least we got in a couple of drives from the golf tee and a couple of folks jumped into the hot tubs. To say that the view is awe inspiring would be an understatement. You have to go and view the place and spend time to fully enjoy what the Skyhouse offers.

The absolute most beautiful wedding venue - it is stunning, serene, and feels like you're tucked…read moreaway in the forest. I can't emphasize how many endless compliments we got on how gorgeous and unique the Sequoia is (especially the ceremony space surrounded by redwoods, and the cocktail hour deck with an amazing view of the forest) Diane, the owner, is so lovely, responsive/communicative, and accommodating. I was worried about having a secure place to store my jewelry- she got a safe just for us to use! I realized the morning of the wedding that I hadn't assembled our fujifilm cameras - she immediately stepped in to help. The venue is very customizable - it's BYOB (though FYI about wine/beer only policy- we served spritzes and sangria as our signature drinks), you can choose your own caterer, and we were able to save on florals because the venue is so pretty, it doesn't need any dressing up. We initially debated venues solely because the Sequoia was farther away for our guests -- but we kept coming back to the Sequoia, and I am so so glad we did. We would pick it again in a heartbeat!

I'm a wedding planner and I work with Sequoia retreat a lot. The staff there are beyond top notch…read more The dedication and care they show to their couples and vendors is so rare and meaningful. Whenever we have the privilege to work at this property I already know it will be a dream experience. If you want to find a venue that truly cares about you and creating a meaningful experience for you and your guests this is the spot. It's tucked away amongst noble giants offerings stunning views from their deck. The owners really go above and beyond. When faced with any type of situation they meet it head on and provide an atmosphere for vendors to collaborate and create magic together.

It is a beautiful space that is very well maintained, clean and lovely caretakers. Currently still…read morea lot of construction and tree management happening post fires. Looking forward to all of that being completed and full camp experience being restored. So well maintained by the caretakers.

I love me some Bosch Baha'i School! I have been coming here since I was 13 years old. At every…read morestage of my life, this place has held a special place in my heart. I went to college at UC Santa Cruz and would come up on the weekends to do volunteer service frequently over several years. I have been out of college for several years and no longer live in Santa Cruz, but still come up from time to time. It's just one of those places that keeps drawing you back. They have great weekend sessions that you can sign up for on a variety of topics. Additionally, this is a great space that you can rent out for weddings, reunions, retreats, etc. They have a variety of conference rooms, cabin style sleeping accommodations, play areas and a basketball court as well as a pool and wading pool for the warmer months of the year. You can tell that the people that work and volunteer at Bosch know how special it is and put their love into taking the best care of the campus.

Just got married here over the weekend and it was so beautiful. Kathy was incredibly sweet and…read morehelpful throughout the whole process since day 1. Highly recommend.

The Felton Guild is such a charming and peaceful forest venue tucked away in the Redwoods, and I…read morerecently had the honor of photographing a wedding here; I absolutely fell in love with the setting! It feels secluded and intimate, with a cozy, woodsy atmosphere that's perfect for couples looking for something a little different. From a photographer's perspective, the lighting in the grove is soft and dreamy, especially during the ceremony. The surrounding trees create a natural canopy that adds to the sense of privacy and connection, while the reception space is large enough to host a decently sized guest count. The staff were incredibly helpful as well! If you're dreaming of a redwood wedding that's relaxed, heartfelt, and full of character, this is a venue worth checking out!

My husband and I spent a long time looking at wedding venues in the Santa Cruz/Los Gatos area. We…read moreprobably looked at more than 10 places! A lot of places weren't quite the right fit, had too many weird restrictions, or were overpriced (if your've looked at venues you know what I mean!) The Castle House and Gardens was the last place we looked at and we knew it would be the most perfect, picturesque and enchanted woodland setting for our outdoor wedding. It has lush, wild gardens that remind me of the Secret Garden. There's a beautiful redwood grove where we had our ceremony and a poolside courtyard with two outdoor fireplaces, perfect for dining and dancing, where we had the reception. It was great to have the ceremony and reception at the same place. The Castle House is a historic estate located in the Santa Cruz Mountain Community of Bonny Doon. It's bordered by beautiful redwood forests and just 10 minutes from the ocean. The family that lives there were the most gracious hosts for our event and went to extra care to make sure the grounds looked stunning on our wedding day. They own the Bonny Doon Garden Company and grow all of the flowers for their floral design business organically in their home gardens. It was really cool because my bouquets and centerpieces all came from the garden where I got married! We got so many compliments about the venue from our guests and everyone kept asking me, "How did you find this place?" I definitely recommend this place to other brides if you are looking for a unique, non-cookie cutter type venue full of natural beauty and rustic charm.

We were fortunate enough to have our wedding here on June 22nd, 2013 and let me tell you, the venue…read moreand it's owner, Teresa, ensured the most magical, welcoming, and organized experience ever. From the initial meeting, through hiccups with our caterer, and until the day-of coordination, Teresa was amazing: Helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and assertive when she needed to be. She also did our flowers which were out of this world. The venue itself is enchanting with it's floral gardens, towering redwoods, and cozy courtyard. Our guests could not stop talking about how ours was the best wedding they have ever attended. We had a wedding of 100 people, and it was the perfect size. Count yourself very fortunate if you have the opportunity to have your event at Castle House and Gardens.

Event space for weddings and also There are cabins to stay in overnight…read more Just beautiful to be in the forest in nature and soak it all in

Just so beautiful! My son has his wedding here 9/18/25. The pics look like they should be in a…read moremagazine.

- They sell two dessert wines, and they are both my favorite of the wines they sell: a late-harvest…read moreMerlot called "Mane", and their port wine. Most of their wines have a light, acidic, astringent flavor that is typical of the Santa Cruz Mountains; it's not my fav style. - Go on the cave tour. Chris was our guide, and crammed lots of interesting info between sips. - They have a hiking trail! It's great. It takes about 1 hour to hike. It's a little over-grown, but with very sparse foliage.

Cute and cosy vinery tucked away in the Santa Cruz mountains. Went here on a rainy day and enjoyed…read morethe conversation with the wine-tender lady the most. Very good customer service, the staff was very warm and friendly. Wine tasting starts at $25 per flight + tips, and ends with the most magical Moscato. A good spot for a 1-2 stopover when visiting Santa Cruz. There are cave tours on Saturdays, and an option to become a member/ get a wine subscription. The vineyard sits on 8 acres of land, but the whole property is ~100 acres, with a lookout to the ocean, and multiple hikes starting from the property. A private dining experience inside the wine cave is also offered altho I am not sure of the price or value for money.

Pretty cool and educational field trip out here in the Santa Cruz hills. They've been around since…read morethe 60s and they've recreated what much of what life was like during the industrial revolution of the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Much of which is when California was just being built into the massive state that it is now. They recreated what a small town back then would probably have...a general store, a blacksmith station, a printing press office, a gold mining station are just a few examples. The main draw and main recreation here is of an old timey train that you can actually ride on. A fully functioning steam locomotive can pull like 5 train cars, some covered, some not. I'd say each car could probably seat about 2 dozen peeps, and they pack each scheduled ride pretty good. They have 2 rides: 1 goes from the Santa Cruz Boardwalk to Felton which is up the hill about 8 miles and back. The other ride starts in Felton which is where the recreated village is at, and that does a 70 minute loop around the redwoods, so it is very mellow and mostly in the shade. We did the redwood loop, a few adults and a small child. Price was about mid $40s per, not sure what a child fetches for. A little pricey but where else can you really experience this. There are some narration of historical interest and you get a small 15-20 minute break at a stop in the middle of the forest where you can get out and stretch and take pics. Food and drinks are available and are amusement park level in quality and price. There was some bbq cook-off going the day we went, but we did not try. We just had some simple burgers and hotdogs as we were going to throw down a nice spread for dinner at our campsite later that evening. I had a decent time although it can get pretty hot out here during the summer months. I would recommend for people with small children or people who like history in geography and technology.

Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, California is a logging town established in the late 1950s by…read moreNorman Clark. It's known for its redwood trees and railroad which operates authentic 19th-century locomotives dating all the way back to 1890 if you can believe that. They have amazing event throughout the year including Moonlit Dinner Parties, Halloween and holiday train rides as well as activities, light shows. Enjoy the Covered Bridge, General Store, Train Depot, Bret Harte Hall and more. I've been here more than a few times in the past decade including for one of my closest friends wedding. Touring the grounds on foot is pretty amazing but nothing beats that iconic steam engine train ride. And having an event here is something that will stay with you forever in my honest opinion. The picnic grounds can hold anywhere from 25 to 2,500 people for groups and parties. Chuckwagon Barbecue has kid friendly and veggie friendly options, and outside food and catering is also very welcome. Train rides vary from age, children or adult as well as group and individual discounts. Wayback Wednesday in the best way! You can make inquiries on their website as well as stay up to date via mailing list. No lodging available directly on the campgrounds themselves, however several hotels and AirBnBs in the area due to this incredible destination and the Santa Cruz County Redwoods. Hour of operation are from 9am to 5pm for general hours and non events. Typically they can accommodate until 10pm for special events and occasions likes weddings, gatherings and celebrations.

Terrific place. Well supported, well equipped, super…read morefriendly and professional. Whenever the power goes out in our neighborhood, which is remarkably frequent, this becomes our office. Couldn't do without it.

The Satellite has a wide range of options - all I need is a table in the café space, but they offer…read morespacious cubicles and private offices as well. The staff are extremely friendly and supportive and strive to make the cowork centers an integrated part of the community they belong in. 24/7 access, free coffee, and friendly faces make this a no-brainer vs. working from home.

A true local gem and wonder only in existence (for over 30 years) from the absolute love and…read moredevotion of the local community. This little theater company roars with enthusiasm, creativity and fun. Best bet? Become a subscriber! Best seats and lots of extra benefits.

I've enjoyed shows at this theater, but it haas taken me a few hours and a lot of frustrated emails…read moreto claim tickets for a show as a season ticket subscriber. I will be thinking long and hard about subscribing again. Tickets are done through Brown Paper Tickets. Brown Paper Tickets has no customer support telephone--only email. And MCT bounces any questions over to Brown Paper Tickets email. My husband subscribed in 2020, but of course, there were no shows. They rolled people over to become season ticket holders in 2022, but...he didn't know that. No emails were responded to about what happened to the 2020 subscription. Then, we needed the last 4 digits of a credit card used in 2020-which is no longer in use--in order to click through on a link found in a subscription confirmation email plus the confirmation number. My husband industriously dug through a back pile of statements to find that. Why the confirmation number isn't enough to book a seat is beyond me. Then...I tried to find seats close to another friend going to the upcoming show. But wait! The seats aren't numbered on the chart. So, you're actually guessing within a zone of seats. This is a truly insane system--I do everything online, but wasting so much time to get seats that were already paid for in advance is bonkers. If you want to see a show, just pay at the door. The worst that can happen is that they don't have a ticket for you--and heck--you will be able to go enjoy a local beer somewhere. No tragedy.