The Sequoia Retreat Center

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.

Bosch Baha'i School, Conference and Retreat Center

4.6

(9 reviews)

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.

Felton Guild

3.7

(27 reviews)

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!

We had our wedding at the Felton Guild this past Saturday 8/5 and it was absolutely fantastic. We…read moregot so many comments about how beautiful the venue is. The ceremony space is intimate and surrounded by magical redwood trees. The reception is on the lawn and contains plenty of space for dinner, dancing (we rented a dance floor), and mingling. We had about 67 guests. Kathy was wonderful to work with and all her vendor recommendations were also wonderful (and more affordable than most wedding vendors!). We went with Cowboy Bar and Grill for the catering and it was perfect. The music has to be shut off by 8 pm but we had an after party at a bar in Santa Cruz and it worked out so well. I highly recommend Felton Guild if you are planning a wedding in Felton!

Castle House And Garden

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.

lille æske

(2 reviews)

I have been to lille aeske many times now. The great thing is hard to say, it's either:…read more-The amazing people you'll bump into. Good people magnet. -The beautiful wine and other cool stuff you can get -The groups who perform- in your busy life you won't have a chance to find them. Anil finds them for you. Then you will listen for life. Wonderful. -The art. I was so inspired by the art here, some of it became part of my home. If I am able to go to a show here, I pretty much just go without trying to figure out too much about whether I will like it. I always do.

I had my wedding reception here at Lille Aeske last night, and it was the most beautiful night to…read moreremember. In the weeks leading up to the event, Anil was super helpful with everything in terms of planning down to the smallest details. I could tell he wanted to make sure that this was the most special of evenings for my partner and I, and in the end I can't have imagined hosting my wedding party anywhere else. Surrounded by gorgeous art on the walls and romantic fairy lights, we were served dinner and drinks while music played at the perfect volume in the background. I honestly felt like such a princess; every time I would try to adjust something to my liking it was quickly picked up for me and the hosts made sure to check in with me frequently that everything was going smoothly and on schedule. Even though I was very scattered and forgetful, Anil kept up really well and even walked across the street to buy us all champagne for the toasts that I had forgotten to bring beforehand. We had our first dance on the little stage by the door as per Anil's suggestion, and it was so intimate and lovely. It made for the greatest photos, too. Although I have yet to attend a music or art show at Lille Aeske, I feel like I truly got to experience the space at it's finest and feel blessed to have been hosted by Anil in his beautiful "little box" for my special day. Thank you so much for being a part of what turned out to be one of the best days of my life! I would highly recommend checking out Lille Aeske, for their own events or to host one of your own.

Waterfall Lodge And Retreat

3.8

(4 reviews)

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.

Byington Vineyard & Winery

4.0

(254 reviews)

•$$

- 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.

Roaring Camp Railroads

3.8

(927 reviews)

I visited Roaring Camp on a Saturday afternoon with my toddler. While we had a great time overall,…read morethe ride itself felt a bit monotonous after a while especially because not much changed once we started going up the SantaCruz mountains in terms of scenery and landscape. The Positives: Beautiful & Well-Maintained: The historic trains are very well-kept, and the views of the redwood forests are absolutely stunning. Great Amenities: There is ample food available on-site, so you won't go hungry. Location: It is within easy walking distance to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which is another fantastic, toddler-friendly activity to pair with your trip. Tips for your visit: It can get tremendously crowded here on the weekends. Because of the heavy crowds, booking your tickets well in advance is highly recommended!

This is a great way to experience redwoods. - There is a $10…read moreparking fee for Roaring Camp. but it's good all day; so after the train ride, you can hike Henry Cowell redwoods right next door, and not have to pay the Henry Cowell $10 day-use fee per car. - I took the beach train. Riding in the open-top car is great; you can see the towering redwoods. There is very good narration throughout the entire trip, with interesting factoids about the redwoods and Santa Cruz. - The train passes the Garden of Eden clothing-optinoal Skinny-dipping swimming hole, plus a very long tunnel when approaching the beach. There is also an interesting bridge from 1909, and a tressle.

Satellite Workplaces Felton

4.8

(19 reviews)

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.

Brookdale Lodge

3.1

(199 reviews)

•$$

Cool spot when busy. They had a great pool tournament but then they stopped it on a dime. Mary…read morethe bartender is fantastic. All smiles.

Absolutely disgusting experience. I found a tarantula in my hotel room and immediately reported it…read moreto Zach at the front desk. Instead of apologizing or offering to move me to another room or address the situation, he simply told me, "They're everywhere," and that the hotel had no control over it. The spider was never addressed, and there was no effort made to resolve the issue or make me feel safe. That wasn't the only problem. The room had an excessive number of flies, the walls were dirty, and the bed sheets were torn. The overall cleanliness and condition of the room were unacceptable. I understand that hotels in certain areas may encounter wildlife, but the complete lack of concern or customer service is what made this experience so disappointing. If you want a clean room and expect staff to take your concerns seriously, I would strongly recommend staying somewhere else.

iCelebrate Event Rentals

4.8

(415 reviews)

It was easy to order online, but they actually pickup the phone and answered my questions too!…read more It's nice that they offer the low/no cost delivery option on their website less busy days. Tables were sturdy and easy to set up. There was a slight mixup with the delivery of my order and they handled it right away.

This was the second time we used iCelebrate for table and chair rentals. It was easy to book and…read moretheir customer service was prompt and fabulous when I made a mistake. Pick-up and drop-off were quick and they help load/unload everything. Have recommended iCelebrate to multiple people. THANK YOU for making a party easier!

Alexis Party Rental

4.2

(117 reviews)

Overall happy with our experience with Alexis Party Rentals. We used them through our wedding…read morecoordinator, and they provided the various rentals needed for our wedding day. The rentals provided were excellent, and looked wonderful on the day. My only complaint was that, the week of the wedding, the linens we had picked out months before were suddenly not available. I'm not entirely clear on how this happened, but definitely was not ideal to deal with the week of the wedding. Overall happy with our experience!

They were so easy to work with. We went in 2 months before our event to look over products and make…read moresome decisions, they quickly added us to the schedule and we were on our way. We were able to make changes to the order up to 7 days before the event and I had a really tight window on when I needed the items delivered and picked up and they came through! The products were perfect for what we needed 2 patio umbrellas & stands (rented separately 12 folding chairs for the patio floral plates, silverware and pretty wine glasses Their prices were reasonable and delivery wasn't too bad at all!

Bash Works

(7 reviews)

We hired Sydney for my Grandaughters 1st birthday party. she was very organized and professional…read more She showed up with a smile on her face. And a great attitude we will definitely use her again. Highly recommend!!

Working with Sydney was a piece of cake, and we were beyond pleased with her balloon sculpture for…read moreour high school reunion! It was the perfect place for photo ops, and was a festive addition to our decor. We will not hesitate to use BashWorks again for future events! Thanks again for your warm and professional customer service!

South Bay Party Rentals

(12 reviews)

These guys were amazing! Rented chairs from them for a backyard party. The price was reasonable,…read morethey dropped off the chairs the day before our event which gave us some breathing room to set up. They also cleaned all the chairs the day they dropped off. Pick up was easy. They did all the work. No lifting on our part. They don't have a fancy website. Most of the communication was done thru text. I sent my deposit via Zelle. I did have a conversation by phone with one of the owners. She was really nice and speaking directly with her did put me at ease. 100% recommend.

Thank you South Bay Party Rentals for coming through for my daughter's bday party! This company was…read moreresponsive, reliable, and the pricing was very fair! I love that they had our canopy set up a day before our party, and took it down the day after. Not only was their professionalism was beyond their service, but they also took the time to organize some of our stuff that didn't belong to them. Now that's excellent customer service!

White Rabbit Events

Things to do in Ben Lomond

(5 reviews)

My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of working with White Rabbit Events for our wedding in…read moreJune of 2021. I cannot express how thrilled we were with their services, professionalism, and overall energy! From the moment we contacted them, it was clear that we were in capable hands and what they created for our special evening was absolute MAGIC! Jamie and Eric went above and beyond to ensure that our wedding décor was nothing short of spectacular. We wanted to create a unique and cozy atmosphere, while providing additional seating for our guests and they delivered in spades. Two months advance, Jamie presented us with multiple seating arrangement options with various couches, pillows, and additional decor to supplement each space. Their selection of couches, chairs, rugs, and custom decor was extensive. Every piece was handpicked to fit the vibe of our event. We were able to provide feedback and then together landed on how each area would look and feel, and finalized each item from their inventory. What truly stood out was the level of customization they offered. They took the time to understand our vision and provided multiple options that aligned with it. Even more impressively, White Rabbit provided us with gorgeous, custom signs for the entire event. Knowing our color scheme and decor direction, Jamie took the initiative to design signage and frame everything so it was wedding day ready! On the day of our wedding, the delivery and set up was absolutely seamless. I didn't have to worry about anything. When we finally saw everything set up, we were in awe. The décor completely transformed our venue (a family ranch property in Auburn, CA) into a dreamy, romantic space that left our guests raving about it. It was more than we ever could have imagined. I can't thank Jamie and Eric enough for their incredible service, attention to detail, and their ability to turn our wedding into a truly memorable experience. They were transparent and upfront about costs, which made the planning process smooth. Timely and trustworthy on the day of the event. Quick and efficient on the day of clean up. An absolute dream. If you're looking for a rental company that takes the stress out of event planning and leaves you thinking "Wow, that was so easy!", look no further. They are the cream of the crop. An absolute pleasure to work with, and I truly look forward to using their services again in the future.

I cannot say enough positive things about this company. This is the kind of business I'm happy to…read moresupport, a wife and husband with young kids who want to help make someone else's event special. In the world of party rentals, we found there were many others who would gouge for transportation fees or have enormous minimums that smaller parties cannot afford. We were able to do our event between $500 - $1000 and have the furniture and additions needed to make it look like the 1890s London space we were looking for. During the process, they recommended extra items and also advised against pieces that didn't fit with our theme. I really appreciated how ethical they were and how trustworthy. They came to deliver our items at the appointed date and time on the weekend and picked up the next day. And what's even better? They put them exactly where we needed them! Another local company (won't mention the name) brought the other items hours late and dumped them at the base of our driveway. The difference between White Rabbit and the other Santa Cruz company were astounding, and not in a good way. I highly recommend White Rabbit and no, I was not paid to leave this rating. I'm just that impressed with how wonderful they made my husband's 60th birthday.

Los Gatos Event Rentals

4.8

(24 reviews)

I've used LGER more than once and the experience is top tier every time…read more I have a last minute order for this weekend. Tables, chairs and linens, all in excellent condition and really nice quality. Delivery is top tier! Daryl is professional and provides amazing customer service. I highly recommend for your next event!

Such an amazing team and pleasure to work with! We rented their wood chairs, few tables, as well as…read moresome of their napkins/tablecloths. Iliana and Daryl are very professional and always looking for ways to help for your event. All the supplies rented were well cared for and great quality. I would highly recommend them and look forward to using them for suture events!

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Carol G.

0

4

0

17 years ago

June 13, 2009. We have done five weddings in five years of our children, and this was the only bad experience we have had in terms of service. We were worried before we arrived, when Diane was horrible at getting back to the bride in the planning. Communication was slow and she never fully answered our questions. Some things that we had requested just never happened, such as drinking glasses in the rooms. When we arrived on site, it began with our discovery of cabins smelling of poop and septic tank problems, and ended with a Sunday brunch where the staff set up the buffet and then walked off, leaving paying guests without plates for the buffet or any coffee. I ended up washing dishes in the bathroom as the mother of the groom, in order to manage the mess while we tried to locate staff. We were supposed to have a shuttle service between cabins for the wedding at a $1200 charge and our guests froze, as there was no clear process for running the shuttle. Most ended up walking. While we got a credit back for that problem and for the missing vegetarian selections at the rehearsal dinner, that did not fix the headache of a wedding with a site problem-a-minute. We went into this wedding very organized because logistics are complicated by the nature of this setting. Diane had our agendas for the weekend events, weeks ahead. Then, as things rolled out, she and her staff were consistently behind in timelines and did not follow the agenda. We had morning activities in the meadow, and when we arrived, the rehearsal dinner tables and heat lamps had not been moved. Plans for cleanup were basically nonexistent and landed on us repeatedly. Twenty minutes before the rehearsal dinner, I discover that the fuses are blown on site, and that we will be walking 150 people back in the dark....On and On. read more

Erika L.

2

1

18 years ago

It's hard to believe that it's only been 3 weeks since I was married in the spectacular beauty of the towering trees and rolling hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Sequoia Retreat Center was the perfect combination of natural beauty and creature comforts for my new husband and I to celebrate the beginnning of our new life with our family and friends. The propery is huge and we were able to have a BBQ for all of our guests on Friday night, yoga in the morning, a picnic in the meadow for lunch, and then a gorgeous wedding reception in the Las Alas lodge on Saturday night. If you picture yourself being married in a beautiful natural environment and want to have your guests sleeping, eating, and celebrating together in one place for the weekend...you will probably love this place. Our guests were blown away by the beauty of the trees here and had a blast sleeping in the suprer cute and cozy cabins. Even the ones who might usually be a little less comfortable in nature enjoyed themselves and felt well taken care of the whole weekend. Be sure to ask about shuttle transportation around the property on the day of your wedding...your guests (and their feet) will thank you! Diane, Scott, and their staff are kind, considerate, and competent. My husband and I commented to each other that it felt like they were as committed to our wedding being great as we were! They were very flexible and worked with us patiently throught the whole planning process. In the end it went more smoothly than I ever dared to hope for. My dream for our wedding weekend came true and I still get goosebumps all over just thinking about it. read more

Tina N.

42

19

0

2 months ago

Incredibly beautiful wedding venue! The entire property is lovely with redwoods, adorable cottages and cabins, a gorgeous deck and reception areas. What sets it apart from other lovely venues, however, are the staff. Every person we encountered was helpful, accommodating and kind. We had an especially stressful situation during my daughter's wedding when her caterer failed to make an appearance. They were supposed to provide tables, linens, ice and bartending, food and service, breakdown-the works. Somehow, Diane and Jackie and the Sequoia staff came together to put together lovely tables, purchase ice and arrange emergency catering for 120+ people all while patiently fielding questions from outraged, worried parents and assuring the bride that her reception would be perfect. There aren't enough superlatives for the level of service they provided. They truly made the day beautiful and kept the newlyweds happy and focused on their celebration. read more

Sierra C.

11

5

12 years ago

When my husband and I reflect back on the incredible wedding weekend we had at the Sequoia Retreat Center, we are filled with so much joy. It was such a magical time that our guests are still reliving it with us. There is not one thing can find wrong with how it went! The SRC staff and venue were an integral part of making it all happen. From their willingness to let us have the ceremony of our dreams to the incredible meals prepared to the hospitality over everyone we worked with, everything was taken care of to the T! And our wedding was not an easy one to execute - lots of details and events. But from our perspective, everything went off without a hitch! And our guests can't stop raving about the food, the beauty of the land and the sense of community that was so easy to create at a place like SRC. Thank you for making their experience as magical for them as it was for us. read more

Sonja G.

0

1

0

10 years ago

Let me start of with I have known Scott not only as a someone that owns a business but as my professor at SJSU. He is an awesome person to have in your life. Sequoia is a great place to have a wedding. A friend of mine just got married at Sequoia over the weekend and it breath taking ! I would highly recommend Sequoia for any event. read more

The Sequoia Retreat Center - venues - Updated July 2026

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Castle House And Garden

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.

Felton Guild

3.7

(27 reviews)

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!

We had our wedding at the Felton Guild this past Saturday 8/5 and it was absolutely fantastic. We…read moregot so many comments about how beautiful the venue is. The ceremony space is intimate and surrounded by magical redwood trees. The reception is on the lawn and contains plenty of space for dinner, dancing (we rented a dance floor), and mingling. We had about 67 guests. Kathy was wonderful to work with and all her vendor recommendations were also wonderful (and more affordable than most wedding vendors!). We went with Cowboy Bar and Grill for the catering and it was perfect. The music has to be shut off by 8 pm but we had an after party at a bar in Santa Cruz and it worked out so well. I highly recommend Felton Guild if you are planning a wedding in Felton!

Green Oaks Creek Farm

(8 reviews)

Green Oaks Creek Farm is one of those places that embodies the promise of sustainable living in the…read more21st century. The coastal communities located between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz are ideal spots for such experiments in low-impact land use, and they offer great alternatives to corporate food culture to those lucky enough to access them. Green Oaks Creek is a small, family-owned farm and rural retreat located south of Pescadero between the Pacific and the Santa Cruz Mountains. You can tour the farm, camp out, stay overnight in a yurt, or even hold a wedding on their eco-friendly property. These all sound really great, and the farm - part of a historic orchard and ranch property settled by the Steele family in the early 1900s - is near to lots of cool places to visit: Pigeon Point lighthouse, Año Neuvo park, Butano park, Coastways Ranch, etc. But this review is about the food. On three acres of land dedicated to organic strawberries, flowers, herbs, and vegetables, the folks at GOCF produce some very lovely and delicious products, which the sell at several farmers' markets in the area and through a CSA program: Palo Alto (Sun), Pacifica (Wed.). and Half Moon Bay (Sat). Their stand is small but superb. We've gotten some fantastic Seascape organic strawberries, sweet and rich in flavor, as well as ultra-fresh green garlic, mixed greens, and lettuce. It's a lovely little set-up with something new every week, including cut flowers. We are happy to have found them and look forward to their late spring and summer offerings. Perhaps we'll visit the farm in the future, too!

We chose this place as a way to spend our anniversary weekend. We wanted to be away from the city,…read moreclose to the beach and hiking places, and we were enticed by the green, sustainable character of the Farm. What we found was not a green grass to camp on but a dry, dusty, stubbly field. The "kitchen" is this 3-walled, straw bale structure which looked unkempt, at first sight, and had rotting food in the fridge and questionable utensils. The outdoor bath is not dedicated to the campers, but actually shared with the farm staff. You'll find multiple towels and toiletries strewn about if you try to use it. But most of all, there was no sense of being welcomed by the owners. It was like having guests was an afterthought. It gave the impression of a couple of latecomer hippies that were on their way to failing their return to the land, and had a hard time keeping it all together: the farm, the retreat business, and their lives. We were going to spend two nights and ended up leaving the next morning to go back home.

Monte Toyon Camp

4.6

(8 reviews)

This place is super cool!…read more There are some low impact trails, a dining hall, conference rooms, places to rent with rooms and decent bathrooms/showers located all around. I went here today for a retreat and was pleasantly surprised. The parking is not too crazy and the pavement is not ridiculously uneven. There is a chapel and during our little retreat a wedding was going on. Monte Toyon is also easy to get to and a hop, skip and a jump away from civilization aka Safeway, gas, coffee and restaurants.

I usually am not so fond of too much outdoorsy activities but this place is refreshing and calming…read more Very spacious. Cabins with bunkbeds. Family type dorms. Big dining hall. Great trails. Basketball court. Big grassy areas. Did I mention they have wireless here!! Muahaha..not that I brought my laptop..(didn't know or else I would've!!) SEE PICS!

Nestldown

(332 reviews)

Came for a wedding and what an amazing venue, color me impressed! Every step of the way it was next…read morelevel and organized. Though not accessible for mobility impaired, they had golf carts to accommodate so accessible. Food was Buffett style, but very good. Cocktail hour was meh, but that was more of what the host decided on. They aren't drinkers so very simple. Venue however next level except staff kept moving umbrellas to accommodate others and kept putting me with the sun in my eyes. Must be the tan, lol.

My stepson was married here. The venue is absolute perfection. If your dream wedding is Northern…read moreCalifornia vibe, then this is the spot. It's nice too that there are a bunch of different spots. The wedding in the redwoods by the pond, the appetizers on a hill, the dinner in a meadow, the dancing in a barn. Just spectacular. They do have a wedding coordinator onsite that (nicely) orders you around as family of the bridal party, but I think was a great add for my stepson and his new wife.

Seascape Beach Resort

3.4

(579 reviews)

My husband and I celebrated our mini honeymoon at Seascape last year and loved our experience so…read moremuch that we came back to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. From the moment we arrive, the staff is always warm, welcoming, and accommodating. We'd also like to give a special shoutout to the golf cart drivers--every single one we've had has been incredibly friendly, polite, and made getting around the resort such a pleasant experience. We love all of the nearby restaurants, and this time we finally had the chance to try Sanderlings. The food was delicious!! The resort itself is absolutely beautiful, but our favorite part is the direct beach access. The beach is always clean, peaceful, and the perfect place to relax and unwind. Seascape has become a special place for us, and we can't wait to continue making memories here. We'll definitely be back!

Dear Josh, Thank you…read morefor making our stay at Seascape Beach Resort so enjoyable. Your kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail truly stood out and made us feel welcome from start to finish. It's clear that you take pride in providing exceptional service, and we genuinely appreciated all of your help. Thank you

Laurel Mill Lodge

3.2

(15 reviews)

•$$$

We had our wedding here in 2015 and it was magical. The location and the trees were everything I…read morehad dreamed of for our special day. It is not for anyone who cares about upscale furnishings or is fussy. We are pretty easy when it comes to accommodations, we don't mind sleeping on the floor if need be :P for us the most important part was a place that could accommodate 150 for the ceremony and reception and be available for any and all to crash the night. This was it! We had about 90 people crash the night (camping, cabins, and bunkhouses). We had a caterer who brought in their own BBQ rig for the dinner and we danced into the night. We had a campfire and made ample use of the hot tub and sauna. Next morning we used the kitchen and my father-in-law made arepas for all the overnight guests. It was just lovely! They did all clean-up and provided plenty of chairs. It was a little difficult for some the of the older folks to navigate. You cannot accommodate anyone who is not able to climb a minimum of 3 stairs. We've talked about holding another party here in the future because it was so easy to coordinate with Bob and we had such an amazing time. It's about the best deal you can get for such a long period of time to accommodate so many people. We had access to the place for the 30-hr deal and it was cheaper than most of the places I found in SF even though they ranged from 4-8 hours.

Laurel Mill Lodge is totally cool. It was exactly what we wanted for our wedding (summer 2007)…read more We got everything we wanted and more: our choice of caterer, our own wine and beer (they didn't allow booze which was okay, we had plenty of wine!), ability to spend more than 4 hours with friends and family, beautiful setting for the ceremony, dance floor, not making your guests drive home drunk after your party...no other venue offered all this. We rented the place for the Fri - Sunday package. We had our rehearsal dinner Friday night (inside the lodge), the wedding and ceremony Saturday (out in the meadow) and a nice big brunch Sunday (up on the deck) before heading out. I loved that friends and family all got to stay on location so we got the spend the whole weekend with them. So many weddings we've been to you go through all the trouble to get there and then you watch the ceremony, have dinner, maybe dance and are lucky if you get a chance to congratulate your friends. Our caterer stayed the whole weekend and did all the food in the kitchen there without issue (we rented a Uhaul and brought all the food, flowers and stuff with us). We also hired 2 extra staff through the lodge for help during the reception. We hired a great driver (need to find his name) to shuttle people from the 2 big hotels on the summit so that parking didn't get too crazy and so anyone intimidated by the mountain road could park at the Inn at Pasatiempo or the Hilton Scotts Valley. He drove a 20 person shuttle (and we brought a uhaul) so the person complaining about the narrow road must have a really huge car. The cushy cabins are rustic and comfortable. They have king sized beds and running water, bathrooms, heat. Nicely tucked into the redwoods. Very quiet and peaceful. They each have a nice deck so you can enjoy the woods. The other cabins are more camp style - bunkbeds, no bathrooms. Fine for easy going people or those who drank too much! Some friends also brought their own tents and camped in the meadow. We had a big camp fire and enjoyed the jacuzzi and gorgeous night (meteor shower and all!) until wee hours of the morning. It isn't the place for everyone, but it was perfect for us and I'm sure many others. It would be really nice for a family reunion or that type of event too. Yay camp!

The Pavilion At Redwood Estates

(5 reviews)

Want to plan an event in the redwoods with modern clean amenities with easy access off H17? Check…read moreout Redwood Estates Pavilion. Anywhere from weddings, birthday parties, baby showers etc it's a great place. Tall ceilings, kitchen area (no oven), refrigerator separate men women bathrooms and wonderful windows displaying the redwoods. Also ample parking for your guests. It also serves as a local community center for yoga, voting booth and community groups meeting center. This center was rebuilt after the 1989 earthquake demolished the first pavilion There is a beautiful bench dedicated to a local kid, Mark Bingham, who grew up steps from this pavilion. Mark at age 31 lost his life in 9/11 tragedy by storming the cockpit on Flight 93.

Beautiful grounds, beautiful location and beautiful venue. We celebrated our toddler's 3rd year…read morebirthday here just last week and were very happy with how everything went. We had around 30 - 35 guests but the place can accommodate upto a 100 guests considering you can use the grounds outside. The reservation process was easy and quick and the folks helping us were very friendly. An awesome affordable rental for a wedding/birthday/baby shower.

Skyhouse Project

4.7