Find true tranquility while staying at one of these spectacularly located hotels and resorts tucked beneath the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains! Spend your days meandering around coastal redwood forests, like Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos or Felton’s Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, dip your toes in the serene waters of Monterey Bay, and grab a bite to fuel your adventures at one of these eateries that come with a side of epic views. When the stars twinkle above the Santa Cruz skyline, cruise along tree-lined highways to these cozy mountain accommodations that provide a picturesque place to find rest in the redwoods.
FERN RIVER RESORT
5250 Highway 9, Felton
Connect with nature and take in the scenery at Felton’s Fern River Resort, a family-owned retreat situated amidst the captivating magnitude of a coast redwood forest. Neighboring Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, the resort is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers alike! Beneath the towering redwoods, the knotty pine cabins evoke summer camp vibes while providing ample space to relax with family and friends around the property. There’s even a private beach situated along the San Lorenzo River! The well-equipped cottages make for a great base camp to explore the Santa Cruz Mountains: take a stroll through the ancient old-growth redwoods, catch a ride on a historic steam train at Roaring Camp Railroads, and explore downtown Felton, which is located just minutes up Highway 9. Worked up an appetite after your day of adventuring? Each cabin has a personal kitchen where you can prepare meals to enjoy in your cottage or alfresco. After your picnic, create memories while playing one of the on-site lawn games, such as horseshoe and ping-pong, or carve out some space for some alone time at one of the resort’s hideouts. Meditate, do yoga, read in an Adirondack chair, and discover tranquility beneath the redwood canopy. Fern River Resort also hosts weddings and events, so you can gather and celebrate in the magic of the redwoods!
CHAMINADE RESORT & SPA
1 Chaminade Ln, Santa Cruz
Perched on a mountaintop providing breathtaking views of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, the award-winning Chaminade Resort & Spa’s 300-acre wooded property is an ideal location for forest explorers. Explore the scenic, eucalyptus and redwood-lined hiking trails that run through the resort, going on for miles. Surround yourself with the forest’s lush greenery, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and feel a wave of peace wash over you. Loosen up your muscles after your hike with a full-body massage at the on-site spa, or take a moment to refresh yourself in the fitness center’s heated resort-style pools, whirlpool hot tub, steam room, and sauna. When you’ve worked up an appetite, savor the fresh, seasonal fare at The View at Chaminade. Take in the scenery as you sip a handcrafted cocktail on the sun-drenched patio, which is spectacular at sunset! After the sun goes down, cozy up under the stars and roast s’mores at a fire pit before drifting off to sleep to the peaceful sounds of the surrounding redwood forest.
HILTON SANTA CRUZ/SCOTTS VALLEY
6001 La Madrona Dr, Santa Cruz
Ideally situated between the beach and the mountains, the redwood-lined Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley provides relaxing accommodations where you can unwind after a full day of exploring! The charming castle-meets-craftsman architecture is a warm welcome to their luxurious lodgings. Features like redwood views from your room, free Wifi and HD streaming, and plush, hypoallergenic bedding make for a serene stay. The hotel has pet-friendly rooms, so you can bring Fido along for your forest adventures! For a culinary journey in creative California cuisine, check out the Hilton’s on-site restaurant, the Stonehouse Bar and Grill. They are also home to the hotel’s 24-hour snack bar, so you can curb your cravings for midnight snacks! Don’t miss a chance to go for a dip in the Hilton’s heated pool and jacuzzi on the tree-lined patio, which brings the magic of the woods to you.
More to explore…
Head out to hike local trails like Glenwood Preserve before settling in for the night at the Four Points by Sheraton, whose just-off Highway-17 location provides easy access to Santa Cruz’s beaches while still close to the redwood forests. Their spacious, comfortable rooms and resort-style amenities, like balconies and fire pits, make for a relaxing stay. Just around the corner is the Best Western Plus, a cozy inn that provides well-appointed lodgings, free continental breakfast, and a pool and hot tub to lounge by in the mountain air. Nestled into the rolling foothills as you approach the ocean is the boutique-style Inn at Pasatiempo, whose deluxe rooms are brimming with rustic elegance that matches its wooded setting. Grab a bite from the on-site Back Nine Grill & Bar, take a dip in the heated pool, and admire the views of Pasatiempo Golf Course, gardens, and the redwoods beyond!
BROOKDALE LODGE
11570 Highway 9, Brookdale
Nestled along Highway 9 in Boulder Creek, the historic Brookdale Lodge is an enchanting retreat amidst the redwoods. This iconic 100-year-old resort hotel has a rich history, a babbling brook running through the lounge, as well as modern amenities and comforts that will make you feel right at home. A former getaway spot for Hollywood A-listers, the Brookdale Lodge is still a superb destination in the Santa Cruz Mountains, complete with a beer garden, marketplace, and on-site dining amidst the redwoods. Spend your days traversing the massive redwoods at the nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek or Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton to truly immerse yourself in the redwood forests. Discover relaxation in one of the spacious rooms: lounge on your balcony, relax in a jet tub, and sink into your comfortable bedding for a rejuvenating night of sleep. The Brookdale Lodge is a timeless gem amidst the redwoods!
More to explore…
For a more spacious redwood refuge deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, rest your head at Masood’s Lodge. A stream runs through their peaceful Boulder Creek location, where visitors can gather with friends and family in the spacious cottages that have that rustic, log-cabin feel of a woodsy escape. It’s just the spot for a redwood getaway! In the quaint town of Ben Lomond, the Quality Inn & Suites Santa Cruz Mountains provides well-equipped accommodations in a serene setting surrounded by the redwood forest.
SAND ROCK FARM
6901 Freedom Blvd, Aptos
Escape to Sand Rock Farm in Aptos, where the peace of the countryside blends with the tranquility of the redwood forest at this hidden gem of a bed & breakfast. Bordering the charmingly rural Corralitos, the historic 10-acre estate’s secluded location provides ample privacy while still being close to all of the adventure and attractions Santa Cruz County has to offer. Just down the road is Byrne-Milliron Forest, a captivating redwood forest that provides a bird’s eye view of Pajaro Valley, the Monterey Bay, and beyond. Stop in for a tasting or two along the Corralitos Wine Trail, and bring a bottle back to savor as you unwind by the fireplace or take a soak in your rejuvenating jacuzzi tub. The Hidden Garden Suite has a private outdoor jacuzzi, so you can relax under the stars. Come morning, you’ll be greeted with the sweet sounds of birds chirping, views of the stunning natural light shining between the trees, and a plated breakfast each morning. Refreshed from your rest, you can stroll past the free-roaming chickens in the gardens, retreat to the reading porch with a good book, and explore the nature trails that weave through the property’s flora and fauna. The property also makes for a stunning venue to host a wedding or event in a private, natural setting. Its secluded locale, relaxing accommodations, and expansive property with stunning natural spaces make Sand Rock Farm a prime choice for a redwood getaway!
Each of these well-equipped base camps has created a wonderful jumping-off point to explore all that the Santa Cruz Mountains have to offer. With their stunning natural scenery, you can make the most of your idyllic escape just by stepping outside your door. From Boulder Creek to Corralitos, these spectacularly located hotels and resorts are the ultimate options for a rejuvenating rest in the redwoods!