If you're reading this, you probably have a tour booked to our Santa Cruz forest. This post will let you know how to get there.
We always recommend printing directions (or saving them as a PDF on your phone):
Driving Directions to our Santa Cruz Forest
Google Maps Directions
Most people use Google Maps to get to the forest. Below is the link to the exact forest location.
Better Place Forests Santa Cruz (Google Maps)
Cell Service & Important Tips
Our forest is located in the heart of the Santa Cruz mountains — it’s incredibly peaceful, but cell phone service can be unreliable.
We recommend wearing sneakers or hiking boots.
Directions from Highway 17 South (for those coming from the Bay Area):
- From CA-17 South, take the CA-35/Summit Road exit and make a sharp right onto Summit Road. Follow signs to stay on Summit Road.
- After 4 miles, Summit Road curves slightly right and becomes Highland Way — keep to the right.
- After 1.5 miles, you’ll come to a small intersection with Mt. Bache Rd (see image below) — keep right to stay on Highland Way.
- After a few hundred feet, you’ll come to a second small intersection with Spanish Ranch Rd (see image below) — keep left to stay on Highland Way.
- Follow Highland Way for about 6 miles. You know you’re getting close to our forest when you see the sign for Camp Loma on your right. Our forest is about 10-15 minutes from this camp.
- Turn right onto Buzzard Lagoon Road and follow Buzzard Lagoon Road for about half a mile.
- The large green gate marks the entrance to our forest!
Directions from Highway 1 South (for those coming from downtown Santa Cruz):
- From CA-1 South, take exit 433A for Freedom Blvd and turn left onto Freedom Blvd.
- After 2.7 miles, turn slightly left onto Hames Rd.
- After a half mile, turn right onto Pleasant Valley Rd.
- After about 300ft, turn left onto Hames Rd.
- After 1.5 miles, turn left onto Eureka Canyon Rd and follow Eureka Canyon Rd for about 9 miles.
- Turn left onto Buzzard Lagoon Road and follow Buzzard Lagoon Road for about half a mile.
- The large green gate marks the entrance to our forest!
Contact Information
You can reach us directly in the Santa Cruz Forest at:
Phone/Text: 831-777-2023
Email: [email protected]
From Left: Tad, Jake, Brad, Steve, Alicia, Matteo, Karly & JJ