Hidden Amongst the Redwoods, This Quietly Cool Mountain Town Is the Fall Escape You Need
Felton is an up-and-coming little town with a whole lot going for it.
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Tucked away amidst lush redwood groves in the Santa Cruz Mountains, there’s something charming and almost enchanted about Felton. It’s small enough to feel intimate, and weird enough to keep it Santa Cruz. Though it often gets overlooked by the beautiful beaches and epic surf breaks down the hill, Felton has a whole lot to offer—especially as of late. Makers, chefs, and musicians are embracing the slow living the hills have to offer, breathing creativity into what for a long time was looked at as a one horse town.
On a single weekend, you can hike through the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, hop on a century-old steam train and take a trip back in time, grab an incredible smashburger worthy of any major metro, taste wine at a historic vineyard, and catch live music at a jewel box of a venue with a small town vibe missing at so many concerts these days. A single-day visit works too, but we recommend spending a whole weekend in this quirky corner of Santa Cruz that embodies the old and new West.
What to Do
Climb aboard a century-old narrow-gauge steam engine at Roaring Camp Railroads and wind through groves of towering coast redwoods toward Bear Mountain on a 75-minute journey that feels legitimately transported from 1890. The open-air cars, the whistle echoing through the forest, the smell of wood smoke—it’s sensory overload in the best way. (Bring a jacket; it gets cold under the canopy.) In warmer months, the Santa Cruz Beach Train connects Roaring Camp to the boardwalk, passing through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and over a 1909 steel truss bridge.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is undoubtedly the crown jewel of the area. Here, over 4,600 acres of old-growth redwoods (some 1,800 years old), with 15+ miles of trails ranging from the wheelchair-accessible Redwood Grove Loop to more rugged canyon hikes along the San Lorenzo River. If you want the essence of Northern California wilderness without the three-hour drive to the coast, this is it. The Garden of Eden swimming hole is legendary on hot summer days.
Head to the Felton Music Hall for a live show. The beautifully restored venue pulls in everyone from established touring acts to local indie bands. They have an excellent craft cocktail bar and fun bar food to enjoy while the shows are on, too, making for a proper date night. The venue has hosted acts like Taj Mahal, The Expendables, Bumpin Uglies, and John Craigie.
Built in 1892 and believed to be the tallest covered bridge in the United States, Felton Covered Bridge County Park is a redwood-built structure stands 35 feet high over the San Lorenzo River. Now pedestrian-only and registered as a California Historical Landmark, the bridge is part of a small park with picnic areas and river access. It’s the kind of understated, historically significant spot where you pause and really take in your surroundings.
Santa Cruz County is known for having some of the most incredible farmers markets in California, and Felton Farmers’ Market is no exception. Nearly 40 years running and considered the most kid-friendly market in the area (parents can drop kids in a central space for face painting and crafts while they shop), you’ll find fresh produce form regional organic farms including locally caught seafood, handmade loaves of sourdough, and more.
Where to Eat & Drink
The Grove is the perfect way to start your day with freshly baked pastries and buttermilk biscuit breakfast sandwiches. Their craft coffees are excellent, but if you’re after something that’s aligned with the hippie trippy nature of the area, go for the honey bear latte made with wildflower honey, oat milk, cinnamon, and bee pollen. This is also a great place to pick up sandos and drinks to pack along for a picnic in the park.
The Trout Farm Inn is a great spot to stop any time of day, but their Cream + Sugar coffee kiosk is a must-visit for espresso aficionados. They also serve scoops and ice cream sandwiches from the local favorite creamery Marianne’s.
The smash burger at Emerald Mallard is a masterclass in simplicity: thin patties get a hard sear on the griddle, creating crispy, caramelized edges while staying juicy inside. It’s finished with raw onion, American cheese, pickle, and house-made sauce that pulls all the flavors together. Pair it with a cold pint from Humble Sea and finish with their house-made cannoli. And if there are boules of the freshly baked sourdough from SC Bread Boy, be sure to bring one home to enjoy with jams from the market.
Humble Sea Tavern has a mountain outpost set in the historic Cremer House, which was built in 1875. Now a full-service restaurant and taproom with a dark-wood bar and wraparound porch, you can enjoy juicy IPAs and farmhouse ales while eating your food from the Mallard next door.
One of the oldest wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Hallcrest Vineyards was planted in 1941 on a hill above Felton. It’s a historic estate with roots deep in the region’s wine history and currently operates as a tasting room that serves up pours of estate wines with mountain views—the kind of low-key wine-tasting experience that the AVA is known for.
Where to Stay
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park runs a 107-site campground in the spring and summer (closed winters)—shady pine and oak forest, near the park’s trails. Fern River Resort has rustic cabins nestled amidst the trees that are the perfect place to unplug. For something more polished, you’re roughly 10 minutes from Santa Cruz, where there’s significantly more lodging options. Our personal favorites are La Bahia Hotel & Spa, a Sunset cover-worthy stay and 2026 Travel Awards winner, and the surf shack-inspired Dream Inn located right on Cowell’s Beach.
