Your 3-Day Santa Cruz Mountains Itinerary — Planned by Your Host
Your host's day-by-day plan for 3 days in the Santa Cruz Mountains — redwoods, the coast, and everything in between, with exact drive times from the house.
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Stories, travel tips, and local guides from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Plan your perfect redwoods getaway.
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Guide — Your Day Trip from The Crow's Nest Retreat
Everything you need for a great Boardwalk day from our house in Boulder Creek — departure tips, parking strategy, age-by-age advice, food picks, nearby add-ons, and what to do when you get back to the hot tub.
Roaring Camp Redwood Train Guide — Your Day Trip from The Crow's Nest Retreat
Everything you need to plan a Roaring Camp train day from our Boulder Creek retreat — two train options, age-by-age tips, what to pair it with, and how to make the most of the evening when you get back.
The Crow's Nest Retreat: A Santa Cruz Retreat in the Redwoods That Feels Far — But Isn't
The Crow's Nest Retreat is a Santa Cruz retreat nestled among towering redwoods in Boulder Creek — under two hours from anywhere in the Bay Area. Hot tub, treehouse vibes, five bedrooms. Here's what a weekend actually feels like.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: The Complete Visitor Guide from The Crow's Nest Retreat
Henry Cowell Redwoods is just 15 minutes from our house and it's the redwoods experience we recommend to every guest. Here's everything you need to know: trails by age group, parking, seasonal tips, what to pack from the house, and how to build a perfect day around it.
How to Get to The Crow's Nest Retreat in Boulder Creek from the Bay Area
Your complete driving guide to The Crow's Nest Retreat — routes from San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and the East Bay, plus mountain road tips, supply stops, and what to expect when you arrive.
Boulder Creek, CA: Is It a Good Place to Stay?
Boulder Creek is one of the best-kept secrets in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Here's what it's actually like to stay here, who it's perfect for, and what to know before you book.
Big Basin Redwoods Guide from Boulder Creek — Your Day Trip from The Crow's Nest Retreat
A practical, guest-tested guide to visiting Big Basin Redwoods State Park from our Boulder Creek house — including the drive on Hwy 236, trail picks for every age, what to pack from the kitchen, and how to end the day right.
Best Hikes Near Boulder Creek: A Complete Trail Guide from The Crow's Nest Retreat
Your host's honest trail guide to 8 hikes near Boulder Creek—from a flat 0.8-mile redwood loop to ridge-top scrambles—with distances from the house, insider tips, and the right trail for every age and fitness level.
Best Kid-Friendly Beaches Near Santa Cruz, CA — With Parking, Restrooms + Tide Pools
Your host's ranked guide to the best kid-friendly family beaches near Santa Cruz, California — with parking details, restroom info, tide pool timing, and drive times from our retreat in Boulder Creek.
The Perfect Weekend Itinerary in the Santa Cruz Mountains
A Friday-to-Sunday game plan for getting the most out of Boulder Creek and the Santa Cruz Mountains — with morning-to-evening plans, meal ideas, rainy day backups, and tips for every kind of group.
Top 5 Hikes Near Boulder Creek: A Host's Field Guide
These are the five trails I send every group to from The Crow's Nest Retreat — from a 45-minute old-growth stroll to an all-day waterfall epic, with drive times, difficulty, and insider tips for each.
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