Loma Mar, CA

Tucked deep in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Loma Mar is a quiet hamlet along Pescadero Creek Road, halfway between La Honda and the coast. With just over a hundred year-round residents, it feels peaceful and secluded, though nearby spots like Memorial Park and Pescadero Creek County Park bring plenty of weekend hikers and campers through the area. Daily life centers around the historic Loma Mar Store, the local post office, and the volunteer firehouse.

Longstanding retreat centers like YMCA Camp Loma Mar and Redwood Glen sit right alongside residential cabins, blending forest living with seasonal camp activity. Local kids take the bus to schools in neighboring Pescadero or La Honda, while neighbors connect over morning coffee at the store or out walking along the creek. It is a tight-knit, woodsy pocket where life moves at an unhurried pace under the canopy.