Mountains, redwoods and an historic inn
Brookdale Lodge sits along State Route 9 deep in the redwood and evergreen stands of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Built in 1922, it was once a high-profile resort where celebrities, foreign dignitaries and politicians once went to escape the summer heat and take in the cool mountain air. The inn may not have the celebrity cachet it did nearly a century ago, but it still serves as a beacon for people who want to venture off the beaten path. “Brookdale really came up around the lodge. It was — and still is — a quaint little place where people come for the beautiful redwood environment,” says Realtor Ben Franzosa of Compass Realty, a longtime resident of neighboring Ben Lomond.
Sprawling state parks
Brookdale is surrounded by thousands of acres of state parks. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park, offers a maze of trails that crisscross its mountainous woodlands and redwood groves. The park was severely damaged by a major wildfire in 2020 that impacted around 97% of its 18,000 acres, but new plant life is blooming at a rapid pace. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is south Brookdale and features swimming holes, hiking trails and towering, old-growth redwood trees. Inside the park, visitors might see black squirrels, black-tailed deer, woodpeckers and banana slugs roaming their natural habitat. While Brookdale may feel landlocked, Santa Cruz’s beaches, surf breaks and cliffside overlooks are only 12 miles away.
Homes nestled in deep green forestland
Country lanes with hairpin turns are carved into Brookdale’s rugged terrain. The streets are dotted with eclectic homes including mid-century-era cabins, Craftsman bungalows perched beneath towering pine groves and new builds on more than 10 acres of land. Living in Brookdale can pose some challenges: power, sewer and water outages can last longer because of its remote locale. But the tradeoff is more privacy. Residents wake up to the sound of birds chirping and squirrels darting across tree branches. In recent years, Brookdale and nearby communities have become a popular place for Silicon Valley commuters. “It’s a great outdoor environment to live in. The air is fresh, it’s less hectic, and you’re just over the hill from San Jose,” Franzosa says. Home prices range from around $600,000 to $1.2 million depending on the size and age of the home.
Shopping and dining in Boulder Creek
Brookdale has no shopping or dining, but Boulder Creek’s downtown district is only 2 miles north on Highway 9. It includes three blocks of independent eateries and mom-and-pop shops. Those in the mood for tacos can make a pit stop at Taqueria Los Gallos, while Japanese cuisine is on the menu at Tae’s Edo Sushi Bar. There’s also Scopazzi’s Restaurant and Lounge, an upscale Italian bistro in an historic lumberjack lodge. There are two locally owned grocery stores in Boulder Creek: Johnnie’s Super Market and Wild Roots Market. Wild Roots specializes in organic and locally sourced foods.
Highly rated schools
Brookdale students attend the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, rated one of Santa Cruz County’s best districts by Niche. Young learners go to Boulder Creek Elementary School, which earns a B-plus rating from Niche. It was recently updated with a new playground, science lab and computer lab. For sixth through eighth grade, students attend B-plus rated San Lorenzo Valley Middle School, while upperclassmen attend B-plus-rated San Lorenzo Valley High School.
Getting around Santa Cruz County
Commuters travel on State Route 9, a busy road that connects Brookdale with the city of Santa Cruz in the south and Saratoga in the north. It’s about 28 miles from Brookdale to downtown San Jose and 12 miles to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. The town is served by a Santa Cruz Metro bus line. The nearest hospital is Dominican Hospital, about 13 miles south in Santa Cruz.
Wildfires and heavy rain
Brookdale is at risk for wildfires, which have become more frequent along the California coast as global temperatures have risen. In 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire destroyed more than 900 homes in the area near Big Basin State Park. Heavy rains during the winter also pose risks for residents. The high volume of rainfall can cause road closures, power outages and can damage water systems and septic tanks.
