Location: Boulder Creek
Top Things to do in Boulder Creek
- 1. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- 2. Mount Hermon Adventures
- 3. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- 4. Mountain Community Theater
- 5. Swanton Berry Farm
- 6. Ano Nuevo State Reserve
- 7. Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
- 8. Byington Vineyard and Winery
- 9. Berry Creek Falls
- 10. Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
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Top 10 Things to do in Boulder Creek, United States
Located in the San Lorenzo Valley, Boulder Creek boasts scenic drives through beautiful redwood forests. Biking, hiking and equestrian trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and a combined 80 miles of trails are accessible at nearby state parks. You’ll also find a golf course nestled in a forested paradise that is a destination in itself. Other features include local wineries, antique stores and galleries that adorn the nearby towns.
Restaurants in Boulder Creek
1. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 537 reviews
Towering redwoods meet the sandy beach, offering something outdoorsy for everyone.
Reviewed By Teresa W - Clive, Iowa
California's Oldest State Park that was only about hour and 20 minutes from Los Altos. I am a novice hiker but in good shape and we hike for a couple of hours with inclines/declines. Beautiful forest! Near the Park Headquarters Visitor Center is the Redwood Loop Trail (easy stroller-and wheelchair-accessible) that winds a half-mile through the ancient redwood environment. There is a paper guide for the marked locations along the trail. Very informative and great for picture taking. Trail includes the Father of the Forest. Height 250 ft, circumference at ground 66 ft 9 in. $10 per car use fee.
2. Mount Hermon Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 474 reviews
Mount Hermon Adventures is the home of the Redwood Canopy Tours zip line tour and the Sequoia Aerial Adventure course. The Redwood Canopy Tour is a fully guided zip line tour with six zip lines led by our amazing guide staff. The Sequoia Aerial Adventure is an adventure course with three levels, multiple challenges, and the exciting "quick jump" free-fall challenge. Reservations are required so please make your reservation and plan ahead for an amazing adventure in the redwood forest.
Reviewed By jdhogan - San Francisco, California
We visited the Sequoia Aerial Adventure course with our leadership team of 14 ppl. It was a perfect afternoon together. The course allows for enough freedom for individuals to explore on their own while still keeping everyone in the same vicinity. It's a great environment to build support for each other by cheering each other on and providing encouragement. Even with a few participants not loving heights, the guides and the ease with which you can enter / exit the course made everyone comfortable. Highly recommended for corporate events. All employees were awesome, gracious and fun.
3. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 554 reviews
Minutes away from the city, this park has old redwoods.
Reviewed By Dalen K
Enjoyed a great hike - beautiful scenery, quiet. Parking was a little tough - at least where I was. There were lots of mountain bikers around. It could be I chose the wrong location - don’t know.
4. Mountain Community Theater
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Rachell S - Santa Cruz, California
If you enjoy live stage theater, you will surely enjoy the productions put on by Mountain Community Theater. I have seen several plays here; the most recent being an excellent performance of Damn Yankees. I still find myself humming the songs from this musical and smiling as I recall scenes.
Along with several productions each season, Mountain Community Theater (MCT ) also offers a "New Works" night during the summer, which showcases a play written by local new talent.
I highly recommend a visit to see a play while visiting the Santa Cruz area. Ben Lomond is very nearby to Santa Cruz, yet seems world's apart as a glorious mountain community with towering redwoods and a slightly warmer climate than the beach communities. Getting to watch local talent at their best will certainly add to any vacation itinerary. Best to check the MCT website for upcoming shows and hopefully you will get to enjoy these terrific stage productions that are offered year round.
5. Swanton Berry Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Jane S
Delicious berry desserts. We had the pie. Yummy crust and thick berry filling. The strawberry shortcake looked good as well freshly made cheesecake. We had coffee but can't say it was that delicious but drinkable for a $1. Indoor picnic table seating. Great old rock tunes from the 70s. You can also buy fruit by the pound. At different times of year pick your own. Bring cash or write a check. No credit. They have an honor system which is a rare find but nice to see in this day and age. Fun spot to rest awhile.
6. Ano Nuevo State Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Home to the largest mainland seal colony in the world.
Reviewed By SnowyShasta - Portland, Oregon
We visited Ano Nuevo (thus named because the area was first sighted by explorers on New Year's Day) in late December. We had pre-purchased tickets for the elephant seal tour for a nominal fee; a good thing since they were completely sold out for the day. We arrived about 40 minutes before our tour team, which gave us a chance to explore the small museum with information about elephant seals, see the gift shop, and also spend about 15 minutes watching the 30-minute looped movie (interesting but not must-see). Then we were set off on our tour. The first mile was self-guided; basically a walk out to the reserve portion of the park. We were given 30 minutes for the 20 or so minute walk at an easy pace. Once arrived, there was shelter, bathrooms, and views of the ocean, plus a couple docents answering questions. At our appointed time, we were assigned a guide docent, who led us into the reserve to see the seals. Gerardo was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and we learned a lot about the history of the site and the life cycle of the elephant seals. The highlight, of course, was seeing the seals themselves. We had 3 different stops with views of the seals - mostly males at this time of year, but a few females and 2 newborn pups. You can get within 25 feet of them, and they basically ignore humans, so it was quite impressive to see the huge creatures up close. Our overall tour took about an hour, and did require some fairly energetic walking through sand and up sand dunes. After exiting the reserve, we completed the one-mile walk back to the education center and parking lot on our own. Overall an excellent way to learn more about these creatures and see them up close. I hear that the tour is best in mid-late January, when the bulls are actively fighting over the females, but we enjoyed seeing the mostly lying around relaxing as well.
7. Windy Hill Open Space Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Coastman3 - Palo Alto, California
There is no better, easy access, open space hike in the Bay Area than Windy Hill in Portola Valley. This is a 1500 vertical foot trek over 2.5 miles on a dirt road that is limited to only park ranger vehicles. Lots of dogs on leash and lots of families. Truly the best hike on the Peninsula that I've experienced. If you haven't tried it, you need to. It defines how wonderful this area is and the benefits of Mid-Peninsula Regional Park System and Peninsula Open Space Trust, which made it available to the park system. It is steep in sections, but manageable. If hot, there is an alternate trail that is slightly longer and is mostly under the trees. Both are spectacular, invigorating hikes.
8. Byington Vineyard and Winery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 96 reviews
Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains with gorgeous views of our Estate Pinot Noir Vineyards, forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Monterey Bay on a clear day, Byington is an operational vineyard and winery. The Tasting Room is open to the public Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. We also host corporate and private events and weddings. Thank You!
Reviewed By lynnlouise2016 - Boulder Creek, California
Last Saturday, friends and I and about 40 other wine club members participated in the "Grape stomping contest" -- it was so much fun, we all had a blast! There were at least 10, 5'x5' sturdy plastic bins filled 6" deep with juicy purple petite syrah grapes -- we had to sample a few BEFORE we got in to stomp! TASTY, too!!! The scene was hilarious -- some falling on their behinds (safely) laughing & splashing all the way. Our team (Lynn, Barbara and Renee) even won the contest due to having the most fun -- maybe they will put our pic on the website!!! We were awarded the biggest bottle of their delicious Cabernet Sauvingon (can't spell it but I sure will enjoy drinking it at the dinner party we will cook together for friends -- what was it, 1.5 liters?). Afterwards, we proceeded to "Wedding Hill" and enjoyed a wonderful buffet lunch accompanied by their fabulous wine with absolutely the most spectacular view of the world and glorious weather. We were wined, dined and the acoustic guitar of Duarte was music to our ears! Ahhhhhhhh................... Thank you, Martin and company at Byington Vineyard and Winery! It was a beautiful day!!!!!
9. Berry Creek Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Hidden waterfalls located in Big Basin State Park, 70-feet high.
Reviewed By Norma W - Gilroy, California
This with silver and gold falls completes a troika of attractive waterfalls in the park, plan on a few to several hours and sunsets are dark and earlyin the old redwood forest
10. Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
A train ride into a private redwood stand.
Reviewed By Feltonite - Felton, California
This place is probably Felton's best-kept secret. So charming. The train rides are such a joy, especially the Halloween & Christmas ones they do. If you haven't ever been, do the Halloween train ride up to the top of Bear Mountain with your children (little ones, like 5 & under might get scared). They narrate & reenact the story of Ichobod Crain & the Headless Horseman along the way. The event is at night, so if taking a train ride through a pitch-black forest sounds like fun to you then this is the event for you!
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