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.
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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,
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Discover an updated duplex with Victorian charm! Two single level units, each 2 bedroom, 1 bath. Hardwood floors throughout. Classic tile and fireplaces. Updated kitchen and baths. Garage for each. Large area for gardening behind #146, large patio behind #144. Bonus art studio in back!
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Discover an updated duplex with Victorian charm! Two single level units, each 2 bedroom, 1 bath. Hardwood floors throughout. Classic tile and fireplaces. Updated kitchen and baths. Garage for each. Large area for gardening behind #146, large patio behind #144. Bonus art studio in back!
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