Discover Felton: Redwoods and History

Felton brings together themes of nature, local history and regional food culture. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is home to a grove of ancient coast redwoods and the Santa Cruz Sandhills habitat. The Felton Covered Bridge and a gallery of the San Lorenzo Valley Museum add historical and cultural points of interest to these nature themes.

Redwood Grove and Rare Ecosystem

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton includes a 40-acre grove of towering old-growth coast redwoods. The park’s higher elevations are also home to the Santa Cruz Sandhills habitat: a rare ecosystem with numerous endemic species. The grove and the Sandhills represent different nature themes within the same park—ancient trees in one area, and a distinctive habitat with endemic species in another.

Trails and Activities in the Park

Across more than 4,650 acres of forest and open land, the park offers hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming and camping. If you’re looking for a specific route through the redwood grove, a flat 0.8-mile (1.2 km) loop trail runs through it. The distance and route describe a single outing; the activities listed are available across the larger park grounds. Check current park notices for temporary closures and applicable restrictions before your visit.

The Felton Covered Bridge

The Felton Covered Bridge was built in 1892–1893 and served as Felton’s only access route for 45 years. Its former role as an access route is a specific part of local history; together with its construction dates, it gives the bridge historical significance distinct from the park’s nature themes.

Museum Gallery in a Historic Building

The San Lorenzo Valley Museum gallery in Felton features permanent and changing exhibitions. It is located in a former church building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A visit to the gallery therefore combines changing exhibitions with a building whose former use and historic designation are also part of the place.

The gallery’s opening hours depend on the availability of museum staff. Admission to the museum galleries is free; donations are welcome. Check the current admission arrangements with the museum before your visit. Since exhibitions change, you can also check the current program in advance.

Regional Food at the Felton Farmers’ Market

At the Felton Farmers’ Market, regional farms and food businesses sell fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, eggs, artisan bread, seafood and other staple foods. The market offers a different perspective on Felton than the park and museum: the focus is on regional produce and food. The selection of vendors may vary.

For trip planning, the nature offerings can be distinguished by scale: the loop trail is a clearly defined outing through the grove, while the expansive park offers several activities. The Covered Bridge, museum gallery and market each add their own historical, cultural and culinary focus. If you’re looking for a hotel in Felton, these different themes can help you decide what kind of stay you’re after.

Discover more destinations: Freedom, Interlaken, Aptos, Capitola, Rio del Mar, Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz.

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