Santa Cruz County
Felton
Deep in the redwoods along the San Lorenzo River. Roaring Camp, Henry Cowell, and a tight-knit mountain community. For those who want nature as a neighbor.
Living in Felton
Felton is a small mountain community in the San Lorenzo Valley, surrounded by towering redwoods and known for Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The town has a tight-knit, artsy character with a charming downtown along Highway 9 featuring local shops, cafes, and the famous Roaring Camp Railroad. Felton draws families and professionals looking for affordable mountain living within reach of both Santa Cruz and the Bay Area.
What We Love
- 01 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- 02 Roaring Camp Railroad
- 03 Charming downtown on Highway 9
- 04 Strong community and local events
- 05 More affordable than the coast
Education
Schools in Felton
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 Felton to the Bay Area
Rush-hour drive times on Highway 17 to Bay Area tech hubs.
| Employers | Peak drive time |
|---|---|
   Netflix, Adobe, Zoom +5 more Los Gatos to San Jose, Santa Clara | 35-55 min |
   Apple, Amazon, Google +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 45-65 min |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 38m |
24 notable spots
Around Felton
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Roaring Camp Railroads .
Beaches
6.2 mi, 15-min drive
- Cowell Beach 5.8 mi
- Bonny Doon Beach 7.1 mi
- Panther Beach 6.8 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
0.1 mi, 2-min walk
- Fall Creek Unit 3.2 mi
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park 13.6 mi
- Bear Mountain 0.4 mi
Recreation
Anahata Hot Yoga & Wellness Center
1 mi, 5-min bike ride
- SCM Community Fitness 1.2 mi
- Skypark 1.9 mi
- Pasatiempo Golf Club 3.2 mi
Grocery & Markets
1 mi, 5-min bike ride
- Nob Hill Foods 2 mi
- Scotts Valley Market 3.4 mi
- New Leaf Community Market 4.3 mi
Shopping & Dining
0.9 mi, 5-min bike ride
- Redwood Pizzeria 1 mi
- The Grove Cafe and Bakery 1 mi
- White Raven 1 mi
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Felton
- What is it like living in Felton?
- Felton offers a peaceful, nature-focused lifestyle surrounded by redwoods. Residents enjoy hiking at Henry Cowell, community events, and a small-town feel while being about 15 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz and 40 minutes from Bay Area tech offices.
- Is Felton affordable compared to Santa Cruz?
- Yes, Felton's median home price of around $850,000 is significantly lower than coastal Santa Cruz neighborhoods. The trade-off is a longer, winding commute down Highway 9 to reach the coast or Highway 17.
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