The Santa Cruz Mountains are a series of mountain ranges in western California and the southern San Francisco Bay Area, primarily in Santa Cruz County and San Mateo County. They form a scenic backbone between the coastal area to the west and the Santa Clara Valley to the east.
The range extends from south of San Francisco to the Pajaro River near Gilroy. The highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains is Loma Prieta at 3,786 feet, which is also the site of a significant earthquake in 1989. Other notable peaks include Mount Umunhum, Mount Bielawski, and Black Mountain.
The Santa Cruz Mountains are home to a vast array of plant and animal species. The mountains are covered with dense forests of redwood, mixed conifer, and oak woodland, dotted with chaparral and riparian habitats. The ranges are also home to a number of endangered species, including the peregrine falcon, the California red-legged frog, the San Francisco garter snake, and the marbled murrelet.
The region is renowned for its wine production, with both the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA and Silicon Valley AVA recognized as distinct regions for wine growing. The region is also home to several parks and protected areas, including Castle Rock State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, offering a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, bird watching, and more.
Additionally, the Santa Cruz Mountains also have a significant role in Native American history with the Ohlone tribe inhabiting the area before European colonization. Many areas in the mountains contain artifacts and sites of cultural and spiritual significance to the Ohlone people.
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Michaud Vineyard Tasting Room
14598-A Big Basin Way
Paicines, CA 95043
United States
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Windy Oaks Estate Winery
550 Hazel Dell Rd
Corralitos, CA 95076
United States
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Alfaro Family Vineyards and Winery
420 Hames Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
United States
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Charmant Vineyards
800 Larsen Road
Aptos, CA 95003
United States
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Mount Eden Vineyards
22020 Mount Eden Rd.
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States
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Byington Vineyard and Winery
21850 Bear Creek Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95033
United States
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Big Basin Vineyards Santa Cruz Tasting Room
525 Pacific Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
United States
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Ahlgrens Vineyard
20320 Hwy 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
United States
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La Honda Winery
2645 Fair Oaks Ave
Redwood City, CA 94063
United States
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Big Basin Vineyards Estate Winery
830 Memory Lane
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
United States
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Martella Wines
17287 Skyline Blvd
#103
Woodside, CA 94062
United States