$732,660Average Value$565Average Price per Sq Ft25Homes For Sale
Mountain town near Silicon Valley
Boulder Creek is a rural, mountain town where the pace of life is decidedly slower than in nearby Silicon Valley. Billing itself as the gateway to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, this former logging village is surrounded by dense woodlands, steep hills and roadways with hairpin turns. “We’re an hour from Silicon Valley on a bad day, but you’re living in a completely different environment. There are no three-story buildings in downtown. It’s like going back in time,” says Realtor Suzanne Hood of Century 21, a longtime Boulder Creek resident.
The town’s main street is Central Avenue, a small-town business strip with boomtown style architecture, mom-and-pop shops and local restaurants. The surrounding forests are peppered with cozy cabins and renovated older homes. Its proximity to San Jose and Silicon Valley have made it increasingly popular with commuters, but the town’s remote location can come with unexpected challenges.
“Living up here is not for everybody. Winter can be really hard; on average, we get 60 inches of rain. The mountains wring out all the water and we send whatever’s left over the hill,” Hood says. “I mean, we’ve lost roads, water systems and power poles. So, if you can’t live without power, and you don’t know how to deal without having tap water, this isn’t the place for you to live. But in the summertime, it’s gorgeous. We put up with winter to live here in the summer.”
Community parks and outdoor recreation
Junction Park is a small community park with benches and picnic tables that overlooks a bubbling, rocky creek with a swimming hole. It’s a great spot to take a dip during the summertime. During the winter months, Boulder Creek Recreation Center offers a warm, dry place to get some exercise. Sprawling state parks offer ample opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming and sightseeing. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park, has a labyrinth of trails that crisscross its mountainous woodlands. The park was charred by a major wildfire in 2020, but many of its redwoods survived and new plant life is blooming at a fast clip. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is south of Boulder Creek and features swimming holes, hiking trails and plenty of old-growth redwood trees.
Central Avenue shopping and dining
Boulder Creek’s downtown offers an eclectic mix of local eateries and independent shops. “The shops and restaurants in Boulder Creek are owned by local people that really care about the community. You’re not dealing with big corporate America here,” says Realtor Jayson Madani of Room Real Estate, who is a longtime resident of the area.
Joe’s Bar is a local institution — it’s dark wood paneling, low lighting, cold drinks and pool tables have made it a popular dive for locals and visitors. Authentic Mexican cuisine can be found at Taqueria Los Gallos, while those in the mood for Japanese might try Tae’s Edo Sushi Bar. Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub is a downhome pizza parlor that’s been running for over a decade. Upscale Italian is right around the corner at Scopazzi’s Restaurant and Lounge. The restaurant’s building traces its origins to the early 20th century when it was known as The Italia Hotel; at the time, it was frequented by early Hollywood stars like Peter Fonda and Slim Summerville.
There are two independent grocery stores on Central Avenue: Johnnie’s Super Market and Wild Roots Market, a grocer that specializes in local and organic foods. There are also small businesses up and down the strip, including a crystal shop, a hair salon and an art gallery.
Events, celebrations and festivals
Boulder Creek residents celebrate the Fourth of July with a raucous parade on Central Avenue. During the fall and winter, kids trick-or-treat at downtown businesses on Halloween and gather for a holiday tree lighting during the first week of December. On Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors flock to the town for the annual Boulder Creek Art, Wine and Music Festival, a weekend-long event that’s gone on for over a century.
Less expensive than nearby Silicon Valley
Homes in the town are typically older, including many that were built in the early and mid-20th century. “Most of the homes were designed as cabins. In the early 1900s, people would come up here to get away from the heat of the cities. This was a place where people would come to get away from it all. In the 1970s, a lot of hippies moved here because of all the nature and because it was a little more remote,” Hood says. Residences are often cloaked from view by thick tree canopies and dense foliage, and many are located along narrow, wooded roads. Home prices are relatively affordable for this region — they typically range from around $600,000 to around $1.5 million, depending on size, acreage and condition.
Highly rated schools
Boulder Creek students attend schools in the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, which Niche rates as among the best in Santa Cruz County. Young learners go to Boulder Creek Elementary School, which earns a B-plus rating from Niche. The school is a few blocks from Central Avenue — it was recently updated with a new playground, science lab and computer lab. For sixth through eighth grade, students go to B-plus rated San Lorenzo Valley Middle School, while upperclassmen attend B-plus-rated San Lorenzo Valley High School.
Getting around Santa Cruz County
Commuters travel on State Route 9, a busy road that connects Boulder Creek with the city of Santa Cruz in the south and Saratoga in the north. It’s about 28 miles from downtown San Jose and 14 miles from the Santa Cruz boardwalk. The town is served by Santa Cruz Metro bus lines for those who prefer public transit. The nearest hospital is Dominican Hospital, about 15 miles south of the town in Santa Cruz.
Wildfires and heavy rain
Boulder Creek is at an increased risk for wildfires. In 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire destroyed more than 900 homes in the area. Boulder Creek was spared after volunteer fire fighters helped insulate the town from the worst of the fire. Wildfires are becoming more common along the California coast as global temperatures rise. Heavy rains during the winter also pose risks for Boulder Creek residents. The high volume of rainfall can cause road closures, power outages and damage water systems and septic tanks.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ben Strock,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Garrahan Park
Junction Park
Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District
Transit
Airport
Norman Y Mineta San Jose International
48 min drive
Bus
HWY 9 & Sequoia Rd
Bus
Big Basin Way & Redwood Ave
Bus
HWY 9 & Middleton Ave (Big Basin)
Bus
HWY 9 & Monaco Ln
Bus
Big Basin Way & Ridge Dr (Forest Pool)
Bus
HWY 9 & Brookside Dr
Bus
HWY 9 & Mountain
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Boulder Creek
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz over the last 12 months is $709,773, down 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this serene mountain retreat nestled among the towering redwoods, an ideal escape offering both peaceful privacy and everyday convenience. This charming 2-story home sits on two spacious lots, setting just minutes from town, schools and with easy access for commuting to Santa Cruz or San Jose. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus a bonus room, this home is filled with character and
Nestled in the redwoods and just minutes from downtown Boulder Creek, this inviting 2-bedroom, 1.5 bath home offers the perfect blend of privacy, comfort of convenience and versatility!! This sweet single level home is situated in a highly sought-after neighborhood and has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully updated. As you enter into the heart of the home you'll find plenty of room to
Nestled in a beautiful setting, this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath home exudes warmth and character. The inviting wraparound front porch is the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee while taking in the peaceful surroundings. Inside, refinished hardwood floors add timeless elegance, while the recently updated appliances make cooking a joy. Conveniently located off Highway 9, this home offers easy
Discover breathtaking treetop and sunset vistas from the expansive rear deck of this enchanting Boulder Creek cottage, nestled in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Just a 5-minute drive from downtown Boulder Creek, 25 minutes from Silicon Valley, 34 minutes from Santa Cruz, this home offers the perfect blend of serene mountain living and convenient access. Immerse yourself in the San Lorenzo
Peaceful, tranquil setting overlooking Bear Creek with lovely, single level 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home. Cozy living room with fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Spacious kitchen and dining area leading to large deck looking out to the Creek. Great for entertaining! Well-designed floor plan to accommodate many different types of needs. The 4th bedroom has been converted to an amazing home theater room.
Come live the mountain life at this turnkey 1 bedroom/ 1 bathroom + bonus loft home in Boulder Creek. Enter into the living space with wood stove and ceiling fan flanked by the kitchen and bedroom/ laundry space. The playfully updated kitchen features avocado green under cabinets, epoxy counters, and gas burning stove. Out front you have a luscious fruit-producing lemon tree (perfect for making
This house is in an excellent location. It's a short walk to downtown Boulder Creek, nice friendly neighborhood, beautiful redwood trails are within a short walking distance. Great elementary school 2 blocks away.Large kitchen with a newer stove, sunny deck in the back yard and space for a garden in the front yard. The yard has young blueberry bushes, a tangerine tree and a lemon tree.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ben Strock,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,137
Median Age
47
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
24.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$108,313
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$140,371
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
41%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.7%
% Population in Labor Force
61.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
37°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
14/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
5/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
