Best Short Getaways from San Francisco — Without the City
Where to go for 2–4 days when you want out of San Francisco but not a long drive: redwoods and coast in about 1.5 hours, one house to stay in, and a plan that actually feels like an escape.
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Stories, travel tips, and local guides from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Plan your perfect redwoods getaway.
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Where to Go in the Bay Area for a Few Days — Not Too Far, Not in the City
Bay Area getaways that feel like a real escape: redwoods and coast within about an hour, one house to stay in, and no city noise. Perfect for families and groups who want nature without the long drive.
Best Group-Friendly Dining and Grocery Strategy for Boulder Creek Stays
How to feed 8-12 people during a mountain weekend — where to shop, what to cook in a kitchen that can actually handle it, group meal ideas that work, and when to eat out instead.
Rainy-Day Family Activities Near Boulder Creek (Without Losing Vacation Energy)
Rain during your Santa Cruz Mountains getaway doesn't mean the fun stops. Here's everything to do at the house and nearby — from game room tournaments to hot-tubbing in the rain to misty redwood hikes.
Best Hikes Near Boulder Creek: A Complete Trail Guide from The Crow's Nest Retreat
Your host's honest trail guide to 8 hikes near Boulder Creek—from a flat 0.8-mile redwood loop to ridge-top scrambles—with distances from the house, insider tips, and the right trail for every age and fitness level.
Big Basin Redwoods Guide from Boulder Creek — Your Day Trip from The Crow's Nest Retreat
A practical, guest-tested guide to visiting Big Basin Redwoods State Park from our Boulder Creek house — including the drive on Hwy 236, trail picks for every age, what to pack from the kitchen, and how to end the day right.
Boulder Creek, CA: Is It a Good Place to Stay?
Boulder Creek is one of the best-kept secrets in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Here's what it's actually like to stay here, who it's perfect for, and what to know before you book.
How to Get to The Crow's Nest Retreat in Boulder Creek from the Bay Area
Your complete driving guide to The Crow's Nest Retreat — routes from San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and the East Bay, plus mountain road tips, supply stops, and what to expect when you arrive.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: The Complete Visitor Guide from The Crow's Nest Retreat
Henry Cowell Redwoods is just 15 minutes from our house and it's the redwoods experience we recommend to every guest. Here's everything you need to know: trails by age group, parking, seasonal tips, what to pack from the house, and how to build a perfect day around it.
Presidents' Day Weekend in the Redwoods: A 3-Day Family Plan From Boulder Creek
A complete Saturday-to-Monday Presidents' Day plan for families and groups staying in the Santa Cruz Mountains — with February weather strategies, cozy house time, and outdoor adventures timed to weather windows.
Your 3-Day Santa Cruz Mountains Itinerary — Planned by Your Host
Your host's day-by-day plan for 3 days in the Santa Cruz Mountains — redwoods, the coast, and everything in between, with exact drive times from the house.
Things to Do in Boulder Creek, CA: Your Complete Local Guide (2026)
Your host's honest guide to the best things to do in Boulder Creek, CA — nearby attractions, redwood hikes, family activities, beach day trips, rainy-day plans, and what to do without leaving the house.
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