Spring Break in the Santa Cruz Mountains
While most people will be ditching their books and heading to the beach for spring break, there are those of us who prefer a canopy of trees to the sound of the waves, and would rather hike to the top of a mountain instead of lounging in the sun. If you are more of a…
Fernwood Cellars – Redwood Retreat to Boutique Winery
Good wine is always a personal process. Each winemaker is responsible for his or her unique flavor, style, and presentation of the wine they create. Making a glass of good wine isn’t just about putting the right ingredients together for the right amount of time, it’s a personal expression of a winemakers process and personality. …
Hiking the Skyline Ridge Preserve
The Santa Cruz Mountains, and the surrounding areas, contain hundreds of miles of trails. To explore them all would take a lifetime of hiking, if not many lifetimes. The Skyline Ridge Preserve is one of the many Nature Preserves in the Santa Cruz Mountains that is well worth a visit on your next weekend away. …
The Cremer House
The Cremer House is a restaurant and bar known for its delicious tap selection, artisan eats, and it’s rustic yet refined atmosphere. The Cremer House is a must see location for anyone stopping through downtown Felton. With hardwood floors, dozens of windows, and a wrap around porch, The Cremer House is perfect for afternoon respite…
Winter Hikes in the Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains in winter are a mystical thing to behold. The redwood forests are dense and lush. Moss covers the surface of every tree, the cold mountain air sits densely in every canyon, making your breath fog up even in the middle of the day. Noises are softer when the undergrowth comes in…
Meditate at the Vajrapani Institute
The Santa Cruz Mountains hold many secrets. Spend a lifetime wandering the silent green paths and you’ll still be discovering it’s treasures after many years. The Vajrapani Institute for Wisdom Culture is a meditation and retreat center, tucked away in one of the many hidden corners of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Retreat offers a situation…
The Alchemists at Cinnabar Winery
When a rich patch of soil is blessed with a splash of sunlight and just the right dose of rain, a small miracle occurs: vines break through the earth and grapes come bursting forth. cinnabarwinery.com Cinnabar Winery blends the hard science of winemaking, with the delicate magic of nature’s growth to create truly delightful wines….
Stay at Fern River Resort – Feels like a Summer Camp
Nestled behind Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, just off the ever meandering highway 9, lives Fern River Resort. Fern River is a charming gathering of cabins in the redwoods fit for large family vacations, weddings, or even just a romantic getaway for two. Fern River Resort was founded in 1929, years after a boulder containing…
Abandoned Lime Kilns in Santa Cruz County
They are quiet now. Ferns, mosses, and lichens cling to their stone walls. Shrubs and vines cascade over their buttresses. Trees sprout from their floors. Nature is slowly laying claim to Santa Cruz County’s historic lime kilns. Lime Kiln Legacies If you’ve ever hiked in the Santa Cruz Mountains, you may have wandered upon these…