Bed & Breakfasts in the Woods
While you’re exploring the Santa Cruz Mountains and enjoying its many attractions, would you like to spend a restful night, then wake up in majestic redwoods as tall as 350 feet? There are a few atmospheric bed & breakfasts nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Santa Cruz and San Francisco Bay that are off the beaten path but just a short drive to Big Basin, the oldest state park in California, a train ride through the redwoods at Roaring Camp Railroads, or the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Hartman House Inn
One such inn is the historic Hartman House Inn located in Boulder Creek, with its small-town charm. Built in 1895, the Hartman House was known as a place where people gathered to socialize and also to hold candy-making parties! It was owned by two prominent figures of Boulder Creek one of whom being Phil Hartman, who was the town constable from 1919-1954, established the Boulder Creek Fire Department in 1931, and helped build the city of Capitola by the Sea.
The completely renovated Victorian-style Inn features a formal garden, a micro-farm where you can harvest your own organic fruits and vegetables. Guests enjoy decadent French Salted Caramels, continuing the Hartman tradition.
Fairview Manor B&B
Another cozy, mountain-setting option is the Fairview Manor B&B, located on the San Lorenzo River in Ben Lomond, a quaint, small mountain town adjacent to Boulder Creek. This vintage 1920s inn is decorated with antiques and collectibles. Several of the rooms have original redwood paneling and a spacious common area that features a river rock fireplace with woodland views.
FlipJack Ranch
FlipJack Ranch is a farm-stay-style Bed & Breakfast and working farm, meaning that you are welcome to help with chores or just hang out with the many farm animals on the property: chickens, ducks, lambs, goats and wooly pigs. The B&B is located in Bonny Doon, a small, unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County that was founded in the 1850s as a logging camp. Just steps from the redwoods, FlipJack Ranch features rustic ranch-style rooms, pool, outdoor hot tub, optional ‘farm to table’ dinners prepared with seasonal foraged and locally-grown ingredients. Wwwoofers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) come from all over the world to learn and work at the ranch.
