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.

We got married here at the end of September and had such a positive experience! The Sequoia is such…read morea special place and photos don't do it justice. Diane (the owner) was also a joy to work with and was beyond helpful and communicative throughout the experience. 1000/10.

We had a fantastic experience having our wedding at the Sequoia Retreat Center! The venue is…read moreuniquely beautiful with multiple indoor/outdoor spaces and is perfect for those looking to do a more custom wedding in nature. Diane & her team were so nice to work with--responsive, flexible, and very accommodating to any and all ideas. Diane especially was very knowledgeable and seemed quite invested in helping us plan our wedding. We are so thankful for that, since it helped us turn our wedding into something we felt was uniquely ours. On the day of the wedding, we ran into several unforeseen circumstances (as expected ), but luckily Diane was there helping to smooth things out behind the scenes. We highly recommend this venue & feel so lucky to have found it

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.

Sometimes my heart aches for this spot....like now…read more "Blessed is the spot . . . where mention of God hath been made and His praise Glorified." --Bah'u'llh Bosch is one of three major centers of Bah' learning in the United States, all permanent schools of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah's of the United States. The other two are Louhelen Bah' School in Michigan and Green Acre Bah' School in Maine. Their founding dates back to the early 20th century and their central mission is to foster personal transformation and more effective service to the Bah' ideal of a world "organically unified in all its essential aspects." The courses at these schools focus on human development and on a constant effort at building greater unity among all people:"carrying on the divine work of bringing forth jewels from the mine of humanity,"; "...the means of bringing to light hitherto unsuspected capacities among the friends,"; "...fulfill its true function of deepening the knowledge, stimulating the zeal and fostering the spirit of fellowship among believers..."; "...attract new souls to the spirit and teachings of the Faith." The Bosch school is located sixteen miles north of Santa Cruz, at the north end of Monterey Bay. On the property are large stands of redwood, fir, oak, and madrone, stretches of open rolling land, and a small lake. From several vantage points on the grounds, set at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, the Pacific Ocean five miles distant is clearly visible. The main lodge is equipped with a dining hall for seventy people, a fully appointed commercial kitchen, game room, snack bar, and a dressing and locker room for the heated 30x60-foot swimming pool. In addition to the lodge, the campus has ten individual cabins (nine of them with fireplaces), three duplex cabins, and three completely separate homes. There is sufficient space at the school for 125 people. John David Bosch was born at Neu-St. Johann, Canton St. Gall, Switzerland, on August 1, 1855. After attending elementary and repletitionary school in Neu-St. Johann, he left Switzerland with a sister and her husband (the Zuberbuhler), arrived in America in 1879, and went to Amboy, Nebraska where on arrival the Zuberbuhlers purchased a farm. He practiced his trade of cooper, "helped with the building of the railroad, and also farmed." In 1905, John became a Bah', http://www.bahai.org/ I started going to Bosch in the 1970's with my sister. She lived in Watsonville, CA at the time. I also attended the Youth Week Sessions. One summer in 1981 I declared myself a Baha'i. I got prayer book and everything. It was around the Bonfire. I got alot of hugs...I especially remember the cute guys... Morning Devotion at Inspiration Point is incredible. It is a beautiful grove of old trees that stretch to the Cali coast. I was also a Youth Counselor when I was 26 years old. Those Teenagers gave me payback for all the hell I caused as a teen. hahahaa They hid my luggage under the cabin. They threaten to sneek out if I fell asleep....so I stayed awake. Those little bitches. hahaha I remember the talent shows and the "New Games" in the big field. I still have not hiked to that lake and little waterfall. When it gets warm again I will. Nearby hotspots....well hot for sleepy Santa Cruz are Davenport on Highway 1. Bonny Doon, Felton... There are also nearby nude beaches... oooh la la... Some sad memories... The Rich Iranian kids that came one year and tested the hands of fate with their fast Mercedes and the twisting and winding roads of Bonny Doon to get to Bosch... Lives were lost. RIP. There was a very strange double homicide that happened on one of the nearby beaches... BONNY DOON BEACH (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!) Rocked by the discovery in March of three bodies on the cliffs above the beach, naturists are starting to stream back to the sand of one of the Santa Cruz area's finest skinny-dipping coves, which is slated to become a state park as early as next year. The gruesome crime, termed a possible double homicide-suicide of a 26-year-old man and two 19-year-old women in initial press reports, showcased the "split personality" of the nude beach, which is much beloved by skinny-dippers for its wind-protected cove, sense of community (volunteers from the Bay Area Naturists stage a trash pickup each September and hold a New Year's celebration on the sand) and mixed crowd of men, women, families, singles, straights and gays. But at night, the area is often used for raves and drinking parties, according to Santa Cruz sheriff's spokesperson Kim Allyn. Numerous after-hours assaults have taken place there. One rape was reported in the '80s. In May 1986, transient Eric Pineda was shot to death in the parking lot when he confronted two men who were firing shotguns in the air. I love this place.... I hope you can join me when Infodiva travels back to her spiritual roots.

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!

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.

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.

Really disappointing wine tasting experience…read more.. Ambiance: looks super cute pulling up... however only members are allowed in the patio terrace. So then non-members like myself are stuck sitting on dirty metal chairs located in the parking lot. Wine: quality was very disappointing. Some of the comments from our group was "this wine tastes like it's been left out for days", "this tastes like Vinegar and a wine I would pour down the sink"... look at my pic of the wine with the sediment!!! Gross..... Service: again, disappointing. We served our own water, sat ourselves, no service at all. If this is your thing, then by all means... you enter the tasting room and are barely greeted. Once checked in, you get your glass and have to keep returned to get your pours. No one comes to bring you the next pour, so you can't settle down and enjoy a space out on the property, because you have to keep walking back to the tasting room. Additionally, the wine pourer guy did not explain anything. He says what the wine is, pours and sends us out on our way. Lastly, there were kids everywhere. On this unfortunate day, a group of adults decided to bring 6 children here. Between the scream and shrieking, cartwheels in the grass, red solo cups.... It was a hot mess. This is NOT the wine tasting experience you expect nor imagine. All in all, absolutely not worth $25 for a 4-pour tasting. NOT MINDFUL, NOT DEMURE.

This was our second time riding this train. Our first time it was only my husband and I for our…read moreanniversary. We went up through the redwood Forrest and we loved it. We waned our kids to experience it. So we paid over $300 for a family of 8. This time we caught the round trip from Santa Cruz to roaring railroad where we stayed for an hour. Not much to do but there was an activity table for kids. My 5 year old wanted to color so I let him color. I stepped off to the side and some old ass lady shouted at me saying I needed to stay by my children at all times. To which I responded I can clearly see my child and she needed to mind her business. And before that my girls were looking at the Banana slug she was showing and they had asked why it's called a banana slug and she was just a smartass. My kids were even thrown off by the way she talked to them. Seems to me there are plenty of Karen's that work there. The views are beautiful on the train. I will say that. I love nature. But the little train depot station, is not IT.

Really cool experience! How often do you get to ride a steam-powered train through a redwood…read moreforest? Our conductor Colin was humorous, informative, and gave us plenty to knowledge bits and time to enjoy the redwoods. The train has two types of train cars: covered and uncovered. I would definitely recommend opting for the uncovered parking to fully enjoy the majestic redwoods! We went during Easter weekend, so the tickets were slightly more than usual, and there were lots of kids on the train with their Easter baskets. We didn't realize the Easter egg hunt was only for kids, so we were disappointed in that we didn't get to participate; although, now that I think about it, I guess they can't have a bunch of people running through the woods looking for Easter eggs...a disaster waiting to happen (LOL). Definitely recommend booking tickets ahead of time. Parking is $10. We got to the campgrounds early so watched a blacksmith demonstrating his craft, played some games, and walked the Nature Walk Loop at Henry Cowell Regional Park, which was literally right across the railroad tracks. They also had some shops, kid activities, and a musician. Food nothing to write home about, but it's available if needed. If you're making a trip to Santa Cruz, it's worth stopping by!

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.

What a fun little theater! An inexpensive night in the mountains with dinner in Ben Lomond and…read moretickets to a great show at MCT. I have been to several shows here and they are surprisingly good for a small local theater. Most recently was the Robber Bridegroom which had a live 4 piece bluegrass band.