Highway 9, Los Gatos to Santa Cruz
From the city through the mountains to the beach!

Downtown shot of Boulder Creek, Highway9
Highway 9 runs from Los Gatos through the Santa Cruz Mountains to Santa Cruz at the intersection of River Street to downtown Santa Cruz and the Pacific Coast Highway 1. Highway 9 passes through the cities of Los Gatos, Saratoga, Boulder Creek (gateway to the San Lorenzo Valley), Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Felton and finally the city of Santa Cruz home to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Heading any direction you'll pass by camping spots, rv resorts, mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian trail heads, swimming holes, historic relics, golf courses, county parks, and train rides all while enjoying the comfort of Santa Cruz's most diverse road side merchants providing food, fuel and lodging for any need.




American Flag in Felton, CA
The California State Park system follows highway 9 all the way through, first passing by Henry Cowell and Fall Creek Redwoods State Parks in Felton to California's first State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek. At the intersection of Highway 9 and skyline Blvd (Highway 35) you'll be at the home of Castle Rock State Park system featuring some of the areas best adventures. If you decide to traverse the Santa Cruz Mountian's highway 9 just remember to drive safe, watch for sharp turns and keep an eye out for bike riders on certain sections of the road. This stretch of highway has taken many lives so be careful. Make sure your car is in tip top condition before hitting the road.

(Highway 9 is the blue line on the map)

GOOGLE MAP of adventures along highway 9 (camping, hiking, swimming holes, vistas, backpacking, historic POI....you get the point now get outside and do something! Also note that sometimes the page doesnt shift properly and the highlighted route may not automatically adjust to different zoom levels.


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If your cruising highway 9 and your in Boulder Creek:
San Lorenzo Valley Museum
12547 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, California 95006
831- 338-8382

Redwood Resort
150 Grove Street
Boulder Creek, CA. 95006
831-338-3413

Big Basin State Park
21600 Big Basin Way # 406
Boulder Creek, CA 95006-9063
(831) 338-8860

Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club
16901 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, CA 95006-9218
(831) 338-2111

Joes Bar

13118 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006

(831) 338-9417

Boulder Creek Brewery
13040 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-7882

Passing through Brookdale:
Brookdale Inn and Spa
11570 Highway 9
Brookdale, CA 95007
(831) 338-1300

If your going to Ben Lomond, California:
Ben Lomond Market
9440 Mill St
Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9301
(831) 336-3900

Henfling's Tavern

9450 Highway 9
Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9228

(831) 336-9318‎

Bobs Stop and Get It
Ben lomond California
9050a Highway9,
Ben Lomond ca 95005
E Mail, bobby5x@att.net
831-336-9496

Coffee Nine

95009 Hwy 9

Ben Lomond, CA 95005

831-336-4521

Passing through Felton, Check Out
Roaring Camp Railroads
P.O. Box G-1,
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4484

Henry Cowell State Park
Gift Shop
831-335-3174

Arroyo Secco Swimming Holes and Campgrounds

Arroyo Seco Swimming Hole and Campgrounds

This summer you have to go check out the Arroyo Seco River and the canyon itself. Swimming Holes, hiking, camping, mountian bike riding and horseback riding are all possible at this little known about secret.

I love going to Arroyo Secco canyon and river. Nestled in the Los Padres National Forest Area, west of Greenfield off Carmel Valley Road and Arroyo Seco Road lies a excellent resource for the Bay Area explorer. I have been here almost every summer because I can get there in about 1 hour from my house and spend the day hiking and swimming the river. Check out the map below if your unsure of the where abouts of Arroyo Secco.

Here is a picture of the Pit swimming hole

Here is a picture of the bend swimming hole

Here is a map to the campgrounds provided by Google Maps! Follow the blue route from Greenfield. From camp hike up to the swimming holes.


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Suggested Route:


Directions:
Exit Oak and Highway 101, Continue to Elm Ave
1 Head southwest on Elm Ave toward 5th St - go 5.9 mi
2 Turn left to stay on Elm Ave - go 0.2 mi
3 Slight left at Arroyo Seco Rd - go 6.5 mi
4 Slight left at Arroyo Seco Rd/Forest Rte-19S09 - go 4.4 mi
Destination will be on the right
Arriving at Arroyo Seco Rd/Forest Rte-19S09
Total: 17.0 mi - about 41 mins

Or come south on highway 1
Right on Carmel Valley Road
Right on Arroyo Secco Road