An hour south of San Francisco, above the surf towns of Santa Cruz, the little mountain town of Felton is having a moment. It sits in the Santa Cruz Mountains among old-growth redwoods, and while it long played second fiddle to the beaches down the hill, a wave of new chefs, brewers and musicians has turned it into a proper weekend base — with a healthy dose of the area's signature quirk.
The headline attraction is Roaring Camp Railroads, where a century-old narrow-gauge steam train climbs through coast redwood groves toward Bear Mountain on a 75-minute round trip that feels lifted straight from 1890 — open-air cars, wood smoke and all. Pack a layer; it stays chilly under the canopy. In summer, the Santa Cruz Beach Train links the camp to the boardwalk, crossing a 1909 steel bridge through the state park.
That park, Henry Cowell Redwoods, is the reason many come. It protects more than 4,600 acres of old-growth redwoods, some around 1,800 years old, laced with 15-plus miles of trails — from an easy, accessible Redwood Grove Loop to canyon walks along the San Lorenzo River. The Garden of Eden swimming hole is the local legend on hot days.
Back in town, the restored Felton Music Hall books touring acts and indie bands (Taj Mahal and John Craigie have played it) alongside a solid cocktail bar. The 1892 Felton Covered Bridge, believed the tallest covered bridge in the US at 35 feet, is now a pedestrian-only California Historical Landmark in a small riverside park. On weekends, the Felton Farmers' Market — nearly 40 years old and famously kid-friendly — sells organic produce, local seafood and sourdough.
The food and drink scene punches well above the town's size. The Grove bakes pastries and biscuit breakfast sandwiches (try the honey bear latte with wildflower honey and bee pollen). The Emerald Mallard turns out a seriously good smashburger, best eaten with a pint from Humble Sea Tavern next door, a taproom in an 1875 farmhouse. Hallcrest Vineyards, planted in 1941, pours estate wines with mountain views.
Sleep options range from the state park's 107-site campground (spring through summer) to rustic cabins at Fern River Resort. Santa Cruz, ten minutes away, adds more polished stays like La Bahia Hotel & Spa and the beachfront Dream Inn.
Who's it for? Anyone wanting big California redwoods without the crowds or long drives, plus a low-key base for pairing forest hikes with beach time, beer and live music. A day trip works, but a weekend lets you do the train, the trails and the town proper.