$698,213Average Value$528Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes 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.”
Visitors pause at Barbara Day Park along the San Lorenzo River.
Downtown Boulder Creek features local dining and boutique shopping.
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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.
Junction Park overlooks the San Lorenzo River and its swimming hole.
Barbara Day Park sign marks a quiet green space in Boulder Creek.
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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.
IOOF Hall anchors historic shops on Boulder Creek’s Central Avenue.
Joe’s Bar is a longtime Boulder Creek hangout with pool tables and cold drinks.
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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.
A historic red cabin is common in Boulder Creek’s wooded hills.
Classic bungalow homes are shaded by towering redwoods in Boulder Creek.
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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.
Boulder Creek Elementary School serves local families near Central Avenue.
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School offers classes for grades six through eight.
San Lorenzo Valley High School provides STEM programs in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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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.
Sand volleyball matches are common at Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Metro bus stop connects Boulder Creek to nearby cities.
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Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department protects the mountain town.
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.
Written By
Daniel Berti
Photography Contributed By
Becky Gaskill
Video By
Jeffrey Knight
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Marcela Simonkova,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Boulder Creek, CA sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Boulder Creek, CA over the last 12 months is $699,999, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
A peaceful retreat among the redwoods, where sometimes all you can hear are frogs, crickets, and owls. This two-story home sits on nearly 1.5 acres of flat, usable land, surrounded by mature trees and a sense of peace thats hard to find. Inside, a light-filled great room flows effortlessly to a newer deck, ideal for morning coffee, evening gatherings, or simply taking in the natural beauty.
Nestled atop the serene Santa Cruz Mountains, 500 Hill House Road offers a rare combination of peace, privacy, and panoramic 270-degree views. This nearly 2.5-acre parcel is the crown jewel of Boulder Creek a fully pre-cleared, end-of-the-road retreat with over $160,000 in post-fire capital improvements already completed. Perched at the top of the hill, the property boasts an enormous, level
Experience luxury, space, and versatility in this palatial estate, which is ideal for multi-generational compound living thanks to an ADU and over 10 acres of serene privacy. The main home offers 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, highlighted by soaring 16-foot ceilings and expansive windows that fill the home with beautiful natural light while showcasing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Tucked into the redwoods of Boulder Creek, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath home built in 1929 has a sense of peacefulness that only the mountains can provide. The private deck is the real heart of this home. It's where you'll want to be from morning coffee to an evening BBQ, or doing nothing at all. Inside, the layout is flexible and welcoming. The bedrooms feature spectacular views of the trees, and
Welcome to 230 Fern Rock Way, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Built in 2025, this modern farmhouse was designed with intention and built to impress. Spanning 3,365 square feet, this five bedroom, four bath home also features a fully integrated ADU ideal for guests, multigenerational living, or additional income. The great room stuns with vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass that
This charming 2-bedroom cottage & separate guest house is nestled in the desirable Forest Springs neighborhood. Imagine this: you wake up surrounded by nature, step out onto the large redwood deck to take in the fresh air & admire the stunning views. Sunlight filters its way through majestic redwood trees, & dew glistens off the trillium that has just begun to bloom. You are home. The main house
Turnkey 2-bed, 2-bath townhome in Boulder Creek! Thoughtfully remodeled with jaw dropping views, this is luxury mountain living at an incredible value. Vaulted wood-plank ceilings with exposed beams, wood floors, and an open living space with wood-burning fireplace set the tone. The updated kitchen features two-tone cabinetry, butcher block island, stainless appliances, quartz countertops and
Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac on a court above the Boulder Creek Golf Course, this charming and unique 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers well-appointed living spaces designed for both privacy and views through a plethora of windows, open beam ceilings, a cozy fireplace and a stunning wood accent wall in the living room. The attached two-car garage keeps daily life convenient, while the open concept
Opportunity awaits at 130 Grove St, a newly built mixed-use building offering the best of both worlds for investors, owner-users, and small business owners alike. Whether you're drawn to the commercial potential or the residential units above, this property delivers it all. Offered for sale in its entirety or as individual units, four separate APNs provide maximum optionality for buyers looking
3 Bedrooms + BONUS ROOM! Intentionally renovated retreat! Set on a large corner lot framed by mature oaks & redwoods, this home delivers mountain lifestyle without the headaches. Wake up to peaceful birdsong & a seasonal creek running behind the property with bright natural light throughout. Bedrooms are separated for privacy. Organization lovers rejoice! The kitchen was designed for one who
Located within the desirable Bear Creek Estates neighborhood, this sunny single-story 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers a rare blend of mountain serenity, privacy, and convenience. One of the propertys most special features is the peaceful year-round creek setting, creating a calming retreat surrounded by nature. Enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water, beautiful natural terrain, and your own
Upstairs, this two-bedroom, one-bath home offers a comfortable and functional layout with a spacious living room and a cozy nook, ideal for a reading corner, or home office. Downstairs expands the possibilities with a converted space featuring two additional rooms, a dedicated workshop, and an unfinished bathroom, providing a great opportunity for customization, creative use, or future
Tucked among the redwoods along a wide, year-round creek, this property offers a rare combination of privacy, flat usable land, and flexible living space on approximately 1/3 acre. With no homes across the creek, the setting feels like your own private sanctuary. Vaulted ceilings and skylights fill the home with natural light, creating a bright & inviting living space that feels larger than the
Available now!! Serene, private unfurnished 2+ bedroom, 1 bathroom single-family home located just one mile from downtown Boulder Creek. This light-filled two-story residence features an open upstairs living area with cathedral ceilings, expansive skylights, and full-height picture windows that create a bright and airy atmosphere. The home offers a 144 sq ft upstairs bedroom, a sizable 250 sq ft
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