$1,346,835Average Value$773Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Bonny Doon offers tranquil mountain living near Monterey Bay
Bonny Doon is a rural community in the Santa Cruz Mountains about 10 miles north of Monterey Bay. Sitting next to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and nestled among nature reserves and the coast, the community offers tranquil mountain living with custom-built homes and easy access to nature and the outdoors. “Bonny Doon is a more private area that’s near the coast,” says Frank Murphy, owner of Frank Murphy Realty with 25 years of experience and a local Bonny Doon resident for over 40 years. “Most homes have multiple acres of land, and it’s big on wine and horseback riding.” Bonny Doon is also close to shopping in Santa Cruz and Felton, which gives residents lots of options.
Find housing options among quiet trees in Bonny Doon.
Find a quiet mountain retreat in Bonny Doon.
1/2
Homes in Bonny Doon are far apart and have spacious lots
Homes in Bonny Doon are very spread out and set on narrow, forested roads, providing owners with lots of privacy. Built from the 1940s to the 2000s, houses include custom-built modern homes, large wood cabins and eclectic properties built with elevated foundations. Home prices typically start around $600,000 and can go over $3 million. “Bonny Doon has many microclimates, so some properties have ocean views, others are in the mountains, and there are some that even get snow in the winter,” Murphy says. “Most homes have three or four bedrooms and are between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. There are also big estates with private equestrian facilities and vineyards, and these can reach $8 million.” These larger estate properties rarely come on the market.
Larger properties on larger lots can rise to around $3 million in Bonny Doon.
Many homes in Bonny Doon include features to help enjoy the beautiful California outdoors like covered decks,
1/2
Homes near Redwoods State Park and the beaches of Santa Cruz
The 552-acre Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve is a popular hiking area with wildflowers, pines and redwoods. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is adjacent to the community, where many locals go for horseback riding and mountain biking. Anglers can fish along Laguna Creek or along the branches of Fall Creek. Bonny Doon is also 10 miles away from Monterey Bay, and residents can drive to the beaches to go surfing, sailing and kitesurfing.
Highly rated public schools in Bonny Doon and Santa Cruz
The community is home to Bonny Doon Elementary School, which has an A-minus grade from Niche. For secondary education, students are served by Santa Cruz City Schools. Mission Hill Middle School gets an A-minus rating, and Santa Cruz High School scores an A. Santa Cruz High offers a selection of Advanced Placement courses and career pathway programs in agriculture, media, health science and product development. University of California, Santa Cruz, is about 10 miles away.
Bonny Doon Elementary School
Discover community at Mission Hill Middle School in Santa Cruz.
Discover the spirited campus life at Harbor High School, where students excel and grow.
Harbor High School's dedicated teachers inspire critical thinking and creativity daily.
1/4
Local fundraising events in Bonny Doon
The annual Bonny Doon Art, Wine and Brew Festival has been a tradition for over 20 years, featuring unlimited tastings, a market with local vendors, live music, food trucks and craft classes. “It’s a fundraiser event for the school that takes place every September,” Murphy says. “The local church and fire team also have fundraisers, and many residents come out to support our local community.”
Local wine, plus shopping and dining options in Felton and Santa Cruz
The family-owned Beauregard Vineyards is the only vineyard in Bonny Doon, offering wine tastings and picnic areas. “Wine culture has a big presence in Bonny Doon, and lots of people have hobby vineyards in their homes,” Murphy says. “Beauregard Vineyards is famous for its wine grown in the Ben Lomond Mountain, an American Viticultural Area designated for grape and winegrowing.” For shopping and dining, residents go to Felton or Santa Cruz. Felton has Safeway, Wild Roots Market and a seasonal farmers market, while Santa Cruz has Trader Joe’s and big-box stores like Costco and Target. The coastal city also boasts a lively food scene, and popular eateries include the breakfast spot Zachary's Restaurant and the Mexican cantina El Palomar.
Beauregard Vineyards is a relaxing place for Bonny Doon to grab a glass of local wine.
Enjoy the relaxing natural retreat of Beauregard Vineyard in Bonny Doon.
1/2
Distance to Santa Cruz and San Jose's international airport
Bonny Doon sits between U.S. Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, and California state Route 9. Santa Cruz is about 15 miles away via Route 1. The San Jose Mineta International Airport is about 40 miles north. Santa Cruz Metro provides public bus services in the county, and Dignity Health-Dominican Hospital is about 20 miles away in Santa Cruz.
Written By
Christina Xu
Photography Contributed By
Christopher Lau
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Geneva Lawless,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Bonny Doon, CA sell after 5 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Bonny Doon, CA over the last 12 months is $1,600,000.
Tucked into a peaceful Bonny Doon enclave, this timeless mid-century retreat sits on 4.5 sun-drenched acres & offers a rare blend of privacy, comfort & indoor-outdoor living. The 5BD/2.5BA main home features an open, single-level floor plan w/natural flow, highlighted by an indoor saltwater pool & seamless access to an expansive Ipe wood deck overlooking the surrounding trees. The updated kitchen
Tom BrezsnyChristie's International Real Estate Sereno
Exclusive Resort Living: Lot with Home Plans! Start with architectural plans for a magnificent 4,881-square-foot luxury home, giving you a powerful head start on creating your perfect estate. Water service is in, and the site features established infrastructure with paved road access. Your future neighborhood offers immediate, optional access to the amenities of the Chaminade Resort & Spa
Tucked into a peaceful Bonny Doon enclave, this timeless mid-century retreat sits on 4.5 sun-drenched acres & offers a rare blend of privacy, comfort & indoor-outdoor living. The 5BD/2.5BA main home features an open, single-level floor plan w/natural flow, highlighted by an indoor saltwater pool & seamless access to an expansive Ipe wood deck overlooking the surrounding trees. The updated kitchen
Tom BrezsnyChristie's International Real Estate Sereno
YOUR OWN PIECE OF SERENITY in the magical area known as Bonny Doon . . . camp or picnic in your own private space! Spacious recreational parcel, adorned with natural vegetation and magnificent redwoods. This private community has a well maintained paved road and just minutes to Santa Cruz via HWY 1 and Hwy 9 as well as UCSC & Henry Cowell Park.
Nestled in the serenity of Bonny Doon, this exquisite 5-bed, 3-bath residence presents an unparalleled retreat on nearly 10 acres of gently sloping land. Envision a home where modern elegance harmonizes with the timeless allure of nature. An immaculately updated interior is enhanced by soaring ceilings and expansive windows, and a thoughtful floor plan allows for effortless multigenerational
Alistair CraftChristie's International Real Estate Sereno
Beautiful sunsets, enjoy filtered ocean views through the trees, offering a peaceful coastal backdrop without sacrificing privacy. This new home brings comfort, efficiency, and peace of mind, while the Bonny Doon setting offers quiet and a sense of retreat without sacrificing convenience. 3 Bed plus a large bonus room and laundry room with hookups. This electric home is designed for people who
WOW! Incredible new price of just $1,049,900! Grab this beauty before someone else does! This tranquil, private retreat in lower Bonny Doon is a slice of paradise. Ideally located just minutes from North Coast beaches, Davenport, Beauregard Winery, and scenic Hwy 1 for easy access to Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Enjoy nearby hiking and biking trails and placement in the wonderful Bonny Doon
Great new price of $274,900! A blank canvas awaits you on this 2.7+ acre parcel. The home was lost in the CZU fires, as were many of the neighbors' homes. Several nearby homes have been rebuilt, and more are nearing completion even as you read this! Not far from San Vicente Creek and the 8,500+ acre San Vicente Redwoods open space with paved parking and over 7 miles of trails. Bonny Doon was hit
9+ acres of tranquility & privacy await you on Feather Ln. in Bonny Doon. On a paved pvt. road w/ 4 paved routes off the hill, this parcel has a compacted driveway leading to an engineered building pad. The pad was permitted, built & inspected in 1998. There's a strong 250' well, producing over 15 GPM. Underground PGE from the street to the well, next to a solid storage cabin. Bordering 2,390
UNDER $1MM! WOW! Currently avail. for viewing with appointment. Welcome to this charming 2 BR, 2 BA single level home. The 1,329 ft. delightful residence offers a cozy living experience set on a spacious 1.43 acre lot. The kitchen is a haven w/ butcher block counters & an island. The family room and dining area seamlessly integrate with the kitchen, creating a warm and inviting space perfect for
Rare 2.85-Acre Building Opportunity in Bonny Doon. An exceptional opportunity awaits you on this 2.85-acre parcel of vacant land at 1140 Warren Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Nestled in the desirable Warren Drive neighborhood of Bonny Doon, this prime building site offers a serene blend of privacy, natural beauty, and convenient access to the amenities of Santa Cruz. Lot Size: 2.85 Acres
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.