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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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.
Presidents' Day Weekend in the Redwoods: A 3-Day Family Plan From Boulder Creek
A complete Saturday-to-Monday Presidents' Day plan for families and groups staying in the Santa Cruz Mountains — with February weather strategies, cozy house time, and outdoor adventures timed to weather windows.
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.
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.
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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