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Felton

Felton

Located in Santa Cruz County

$946,120 Average Value
$653 Average Price per Sq Ft
25 Homes For Sale

Felton offers outdoor mountain living in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Felton is a rural community tucked in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Less than 10 miles north of Santa Cruz, the small mountain town has abundant nature and outdoor opportunities, while its historic downtown offers shopping and dining. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park anchors the area with redwood groves more than 1,000 years old, undulating creeks and waterways, and unique flora and wildlife unique to Santa Cruz County. “Felton is good for outdoor folks and for people who want privacy,” says Geneva Lawless, a Realtor at David Lyng Real Estate with over 20 years of experience. “There are lots of great trails, there’s Covered Bridge Park, and people love Fall Creek for the scenery.”

Felton is a secluded mountain town where redwood forests and winding roads define its peaceful, rural character in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Felton is a secluded mountain town where redwood forests and winding roads define its peaceful, rural character in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Felton’s historic downtown charms with local shops, cafés, and comfort food eateries nestled along walkable, redwood-lined streets.
Felton’s historic downtown charms with local shops, cafés, and comfort food eateries nestled along walkable, redwood-lined streets.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton features 1,000-year-old giants, offering forest hikes, creek views, and unmatched natural serenity.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton features 1,000-year-old giants, offering forest hikes, creek views, and unmatched natural serenity.
Felton’s Covered Bridge Park features a preserved 1892 wooden bridge and shady picnic spots, perfect for riverside play and historic charm.
Felton’s Covered Bridge Park features a preserved 1892 wooden bridge and shady picnic spots, perfect for riverside play and historic charm.
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Camping, fishing and forest views in Felton’s 4,600-acre state park

The 4,600-acre Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located within Felton and offers activities like camping, picnicking, hiking and mountain biking. Famous for having a grove of redwoods, which are the tallest trees in the world, the state park’s unique scenery draws many visitors. Fall Creek Unit, in the park's northern end, has over 20 miles of trails and allows fishing along the waterways. The Fall Creek Trail leads to the Old Lime Kiln Ruin and Roaring Camp’s Redwood Forest Steam Train, which dates back to 1890 and takes visitors up to Bear Mountain to see the famous forest. Felton Covered Bridge County Park has a historic covered bridge built in 1892 and a playground area.

Henry Cowell Redwoods in Felton spans 4,600 acres with redwood groves, hiking trails, campsites, and bike paths for year-round outdoor adventures.
Henry Cowell Redwoods in Felton spans 4,600 acres with redwood groves, hiking trails, campsites, and bike paths for year-round outdoor adventures.
Felton’s Fall Creek Unit offers 20+ miles of forest trails and fishing spots, with the Old Lime Kiln Ruin as a highlight along the winding Fall Creek Trail.
Felton’s Fall Creek Unit offers 20+ miles of forest trails and fishing spots, with the Old Lime Kiln Ruin as a highlight along the winding Fall Creek Trail.
Roaring Camp’s 1890 steam train in Felton winds through towering redwoods to Bear Mountain, offering a nostalgic ride into Santa Cruz Mountain forest beauty.
Roaring Camp’s 1890 steam train in Felton winds through towering redwoods to Bear Mountain, offering a nostalgic ride into Santa Cruz Mountain forest beauty.
Felton’s Covered Bridge Park offers a peaceful retreat with a vintage wooden bridge, children’s play area, and tree-shaded picnic lawns.
Felton’s Covered Bridge Park offers a peaceful retreat with a vintage wooden bridge, children’s play area, and tree-shaded picnic lawns.
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Homes range from small cabins to custom-built deck houses

The downtown area lies on a small parcel of flat land, and houses, many of which are cottages and cabins built in the 20th century, sit close together on gridded streets. Properties farther out are tucked in the woods, with narrow, winding streets and towering redwood trees. Housing includes ranch styles, deck houses and modern cabins built on raised foundations, and lots range from several thousand square feet to multiple acres. While a few small cabins or fixer-uppers may come on the market for around $300,000, most properties sell for $600,000 to $1.7 million. Some houses are canopied by centuries-old trees and don’t get much sunlight, which can make homes especially cold in the winter season. Properties near the river usually have backup generators, as floods can cause power outages. “Wildfire is a big concern here, and you have to get fire insurance,” Lawless says.

This craftsman-style cabin in Felton features a wood-shingled exterior and tile roof, blending seamlessly with the redwoods on a secluded, forested lot.
This craftsman-style cabin in Felton features a wood-shingled exterior and tile roof, blending seamlessly with the redwoods on a secluded, forested lot.
This mid-century ranch home in Felton features a low-slung roofline, cozy front porch, and attached garage set on a sunny lot with mountain trees in the backdrop.
This mid-century ranch home in Felton features a low-slung roofline, cozy front porch, and attached garage set on a sunny lot with mountain trees in the backdrop.
Elevated above the trees, this Felton contemporary home features a broad deck, modern exterior, and oversized windows that capture the quiet beauty of redwood living.
Elevated above the trees, this Felton contemporary home features a broad deck, modern exterior, and oversized windows that capture the quiet beauty of redwood living.
This Folk Victorian home in Felton features shuttered gables, a covered porch, and cottage-style charm nestled in a colorful, tree-lined garden setting.
This Folk Victorian home in Felton features shuttered gables, a covered porch, and cottage-style charm nestled in a colorful, tree-lined garden setting.
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Shopping and dining options in Felton's downtown

Felton’s downtown has a selection of restaurants, galleries and cultural venues like Felton Music Hall. Popular restaurants include the local chain Taqueria Vallarta, and Empire Grille, an American eatery serving classic comfort food. Farther down Highway 9 is Cowboy Bar & Grill, a western-themed joint with traditional fare like sandwiches and steaks. Grocery options include Safeway and Wild Roots Market. From May to October, people can also shop for fresh local produce at Felton’s farmers market on Russell Avenue. Target is about 3 miles away in Scotts Village Shopping Center.

Felton’s Cowboy Bar & Grill serves up hearty sandwiches and steaks in a lively, western-themed setting that’s a local favorite for casual dining and rustic charm.
Felton’s Cowboy Bar & Grill serves up hearty sandwiches and steaks in a lively, western-themed setting that’s a local favorite for casual dining and rustic charm.
From May to October, Felton’s farmers market on Russell Avenue offers fresh produce, artisan goods, and a lively outdoor scene under the redwoods.
From May to October, Felton’s farmers market on Russell Avenue offers fresh produce, artisan goods, and a lively outdoor scene under the redwoods.
Wild Roots Market in Felton offers organic produce, local goods, and a cozy natural foods vibe that makes it a go-to stop for healthy mountain-town groceries.
Wild Roots Market in Felton offers organic produce, local goods, and a cozy natural foods vibe that makes it a go-to stop for healthy mountain-town groceries.
Safeway in Felton offers full-service grocery shopping with fresh produce, deli options, and essentials just minutes from redwood trails and mountain homes.
Safeway in Felton offers full-service grocery shopping with fresh produce, deli options, and essentials just minutes from redwood trails and mountain homes.
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Prospective schools in the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District

The community is zoned for the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School has a B-plus grade from Niche. San Lorenzo Valley Middle School gets a B and has electives in music, digital media, graphic design and computer science. San Lorenzo Valley High School rates an A-minus, offering career and technical education courses in aquaculture, green engineering and robotics. Private schooling options include St. Lawrence Academy and Santa Cruz Waldorf School.

San Lorenzo Valley Elementary in Felton offers a strong B-plus academic rating with a welcoming campus nestled among redwoods and mountain-town charm.
San Lorenzo Valley Elementary in Felton offers a strong B-plus academic rating with a welcoming campus nestled among redwoods and mountain-town charm.
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School in Felton prepares students with strong academics and hands-on electives like coding, design, and media arts.
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School in Felton prepares students with strong academics and hands-on electives like coding, design, and media arts.
San Lorenzo Valley High School in Felton earns an A-minus rating, offering standout career courses in aquaculture, robotics, and green engineering.
San Lorenzo Valley High School in Felton earns an A-minus rating, offering standout career courses in aquaculture, robotics, and green engineering.
San Lorenzo Valley High School in Felton stands out for its career-based learning, offering green engineering and STEM electives in a mountain-town setting.
San Lorenzo Valley High School in Felton stands out for its career-based learning, offering green engineering and STEM electives in a mountain-town setting.
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Route 9 and public buses connect the area to Santa Cruz

California state Route 9 passes through the area and leads into Santa Cruz. The highway connects to U.S. Route 1, also known as Pacific Coast Highway. Santa Cruz Metro provides bus service for the general area, and San Jose Mineta International Airport is about 30 miles away. Dignity Health–Dominican Hospital is less than 10 miles south in Santa Cruz.

Traditions and festivities in Felton

For over 35 years, the Felton Remembers Parade and Covered Bridge Festival has been held annually on Memorial Day weekend. It features live entertainment, local vendors, children's games and a parade. Another event is the 10K Race Through the Redwoods, which takes place in August and has been a tradition for over 55 years.

Christina Xu
Written By
Christina Xu
Elie Karam
Photography Contributed By
Elie Karam
Conar McDaniel
Video By
Conar McDaniel

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Nick Bailey, an experienced agent in this area.

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Felton Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$850,000
Median Sale Price
$850,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$818,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,053,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
90
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
16%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$653

Area Facts

Number of Homes
2,362
Number of Homes for Sale
25
Median Year Built
1953
Months of Supply
3.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,332
Significantly below the national average
1,926
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,589
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,890

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Oct 18
    Open Sat 12PM - 3PM

    12 Canyon Rd, Felton, CA 95018

    $939,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,520 Sq Ft
    • 12 Canyon Rd
    • New 14 days ago

    Welcome to a corner of paradise found that feels like the middle of nowhere & the center of everything all at once. Timeless 2br, 2ba, 1520 sf ft mountain home in a remarkably serene setting. Equal parts magical park & relaxed retreat. 2 parcels for a combined ~1 acre setting w/an array of plants, flowers, fruit trees & redwoods. Lovingly nestled on a warm, sunny landscape in the peaceful Mount

    Tom Brezsny Christie's International Real Estate Sereno

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  • Sunday, Oct 19
    Open Sun 12PM - 3PM

    359 Redwood Rd, Felton, CA 95018

    $699,000

    • 1 Bed
    • 1 Bath
    • 867 Sq Ft
    • 359 Redwood Rd

    Nestled in the desirable Forest Lakes Community, this inviting home combines comfort, convenience, and natural beauty. Just minutes from downtown Felton, residents enjoy easy access to dining, shopping, and abundant outdoor recreation, including hiking and mountain biking trails. Designed by architect Dennis Schafer, the home was later enhanced to showcase views of the majestic redwood treetops.

    Jayson Madani Room Real Estate

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  • Sunday, Oct 19
    Open Sun 12PM - 3PM

    1741 Gold Gulch Rd, Felton, CA 95018

    $349,000

    • 1 Bed
    • 1 Bath
    • 540 Sq Ft
    • 1741 Gold Gulch Rd
    • New 6 days ago

    Prime value in Forest Lakes. This home is hitting the market for the first time as its been in the same family for multiple generations. An accessible entry into Felton's redwoods, priced for today's market and poised for upside. Set along Gold Gulch Rd in the Forest Lakes community, this home offers the quiet, woodsy setting people love about the San Lorenzo Valley with quick access to Downtown

    Mario Desantis Coldwell Banker Realty

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Felton Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,072
Median Age
45
Population under 18
20%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$110,197
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$145,974

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.5%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
54.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21%
% Population in Labor Force
69.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

24 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

23 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the 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.
Felton
Nick Bailey
Bailey Properties
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