Santa Cruz County
Ben Lomond
A quiet mountain hamlet surrounded by towering redwoods. Artists, craftspeople, and nature lovers call this home. Affordable and deeply peaceful.
Living in Ben Lomond
Ben Lomond is a peaceful mountain village in the San Lorenzo Valley, deeper into the redwoods than neighboring Felton. The community has a rural, off-the-grid spirit with a tiny downtown along Highway 9, local wineries, and easy access to Big Basin Redwoods. Homes range from rustic cabins to updated mountain retreats on larger parcels. Ben Lomond appeals to people who want space, quiet, and nature at a more affordable price point.
What We Love
- 01 Deep redwood forest setting
- 02 Easy access to Big Basin Redwoods
- 03 Small-town village atmosphere
- 04 Local wineries and farms
- 05 Larger lots and more land per dollar
Education
Schools in Ben Lomond
Ratings for every public and private school, from GreatSchools and Niche.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| San Lorenzo Valley High High | |
| San Lorenzo Valley Elementary Elementary | |
| San Lorenzo Valley Middle Middle | |
Private
Niche
| School | Niche grade |
|---|---|
| St. Lawrence Academy Private · K-8 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from Ben Lomond to the Bay Area
Rush-hour drive times on Highway 17 to Bay Area tech hubs.
| Employers | Peak drive time |
|---|---|
   Netflix, Zoom, Adobe +5 more Los Gatos to San Jose, Santa Clara | 45-60 min |
   Apple, Amazon, Google +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 50-70 min |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 48m |
24 notable spots
Around Ben Lomond
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Henflings of Ben Lomond .
Beaches
Shark Fin Cove
8 mi, 19-min drive
- Panther Beach 8.1 mi
- Davenport Beach 8 mi
- Bonny Doon Beach 8 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
1.6 mi, 8-min bike ride
- Fall Creek Unit 1.8 mi
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 3.7 mi
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park 10.4 mi
Recreation
2.5 mi, 13-min bike ride
- Anahata Hot Yoga & Wellness Center 2.7 mi
- Skypark 4.1 mi
- Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club 6 mi
Grocery & Markets
2.7 mi, 14-min bike ride
- Scotts Valley Market 5 mi
- Nob Hill Foods 4.5 mi
- New Leaf Community Market 8 mi
Shopping & Dining
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Ben Lomond
- How far is Ben Lomond from Santa Cruz?
- Ben Lomond is about 10 miles north of Santa Cruz along Highway 9, a scenic 20 to 25 minute drive through the San Lorenzo Valley. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Bay Area tech campuses via Highway 9 to Highway 17.
- What are the downsides of living in Ben Lomond?
- The main considerations are the winding commute down Highway 9, limited cell service in some areas, wildfire risk typical of mountain communities, and fewer retail and dining options compared to coastal neighborhoods.
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