Santa Cruz Mountains · San Lorenzo Valley
Ben Lomond
The sweet spot of the valley.
The town
Rooted, riverfront, and quietly beloved.
Ben Lomond sits in the middle of the San Lorenzo Valley, tucked under Ben Lomond Mountain, with a settled, rooted feel all its own. A little more established than Boulder Creek, a little more forested than Felton — riverfront homes along the San Lorenzo, upslope properties with light and view, and a genuine sense of community. The people who land here tend to be the ones who came up to visit, fell for the quiet, and simply never left.
The market
What it costs to live here.
Ben Lomond is often the priciest of the three valley towns — a reflection of its light, its lots, and its settled character. As of mid-2026 the median sits near $980,000, with most single-family homes trading from the high $900,000s to just over $1M. Riverfront and upslope homes with view command a premium; character cottages and fixers can still be found for less. As everywhere up here, most homes run on their own well and septic, so a home’s condition and how well it’s been adapted for full-time living matter as much as the asking price.
~$980K
Median home price (mid-2026)
Riverfront & view
Homes with light, water, and elevation
SLVUSD
Strong San Lorenzo Valley schools
The lifestyle
The valley's settled middle.
Ben Lomond has the ease of a town that knows itself: mature redwoods, the river close at hand, a couple of good spots to eat, and neighbors who wave. It’s central in the valley — a shorter run to Felton and Santa Cruz than Boulder Creek, a touch warmer, and a little less likely to get cut off when the weather turns.
The honest notes are the valley’s usual ones: wells, septic, winter storms, and the winding drive down Highway 9. But of the three valley towns, Ben Lomond is the one people describe as feeling the most like home — and homes here are held onto for a long time.
Keep exploring
- A Field Guide to the Santa Cruz Mountains Towns — how Ben Lomond compares to its neighbors.
- The Practical Side: Wells, Septic, Propane & the Drive — what to know before you buy.
- Boulder Creek Homes & Real Estate — the town just up the road.
- Which Santa Cruz Mountains Town Is Yours? — take the 2-minute quiz.
Thinking about Ben Lomond?
Let’s find the one that fits — riverfront, upslope, or tucked in the trees. I’ll help you read the light, the lot, and the long view.