Brookdale, CA

Tucked into the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Brookdale sits in the San Lorenzo Valley right between Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek. Life here revolves around the cool, shaded banks of Clear Creek and the San Lorenzo River. The community grew around early logging mills and rustic summer cabins at the turn of the twentieth century, and it has kept that woodsy character ever since. Its defining landmark is the historic Brookdale Lodge, famous for the natural brook running straight through its main dining room.

Living in Brookdale means enjoying a relaxed, small-town pace along Highway 9, which connects the community to Santa Cruz to the south and Silicon Valley over the hill. Local kids attend the San Lorenzo Valley school district, while daily errands often involve a quick trip into a neighboring town or catching up with neighbors at the post office. With giant trees lining every winding street, it offers an easygoing retreat for anyone drawn to mountain quiet and fresh air.