---
title: "Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz County — Neighborhood Guide"
description: "Quiet mountain village in the redwoods"
url: https://giselesasso.com/neighborhoods/ben-lomond
lastUpdated: 2026-03-23
dataAsOf: "March 2026"
sources: ["GreatSchools","Redfin","Google Maps"]
---

# Ben Lomond

> Quiet mountain village in the redwoods

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.

## Vibe

A quiet mountain hamlet surrounded by towering redwoods. Artists, craftspeople, and nature lovers call this home. Affordable and deeply peaceful.

## Highlights

- Deep redwood forest setting
- Easy access to Big Basin Redwoods
- Small-town village atmosphere
- Local wineries and farms
- Larger lots and more land per dollar

## Market Stats

- **Median Price:** $775,000
- **Average Days on Market:** 35
- **Population:** 6,200
- **Median Household Income:** $88,000
- **Owner-Occupied:** 60%
- **ZIP Codes:** 95005
- **Coordinates:** 37.089, -122.087

## Best For

outdoor-enthusiasts, remote-workers

## Schools

| School | Type | Grades | Rating | District |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| San Lorenzo Valley Elementary | Elementary | K-5 | 6/10 | San Lorenzo Valley Unified |
| San Lorenzo Valley Middle | Middle | 6-8 | 6/10 | San Lorenzo Valley Unified |
| San Lorenzo Valley High | High | 9-12 | 8/10 | San Lorenzo Valley Unified |
| St. Lawrence Academy | Private | K-8 | — | Private |

## Peak Commute Times

- **Netflix HQ:** 42 min
- **Adobe HQ:** 48 min
- **Zoom HQ:** 48 min
- **PayPal HQ:** 50 min
- **Broadcom HQ:** 50 min
- **Apple Park:** 55 min
- **Cisco HQ:** 55 min
- **ServiceNow HQ:** 55 min
- **Samsung Semiconductor:** 55 min
- **Amazon Sunnyvale:** 58 min
- **LinkedIn HQ:** 58 min
- **Googleplex:** 1h
- **Meta HQ:** 1h 5m
- **Salesforce Tower:** 1h 22m

## FAQs

**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.