Ben Lomond County Park — Attraction in California

For whatever it's worth, this is my favorite place to go when I need to think, or just gasp at a visual treat from Mother Nature.

This is an effective hideaway-getaway-humble, yet grand destination with towering redwoods all around! The other main attraction is the San Lorenzo River, that used to be damned up.

About ten years ago, maybe less, after great consideration, the damn was torn down to rejuvenate the salmon, steelhead, and hopefully the sturgeon populations!

The dam was also torn down to maintain a non stagnant river in many places. Thereby creating a healthier tributary to the Monterey Bay. You can see the river mouth of the San Lorenzo river right by the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, about 30 minutes away under optimum traffic conditions.

The dam was put there initially to help fight fires; seeing how the San Lorenzo Valley area is so remote and densely populated with inflammatory ground cover and trees.

Now to fight fires we have bigger Fire Departments, contracts with other fire departments to help out in case of a fire.

Residents with homes in the urban interface have "universal fire hydrant hookups" instead of "proprietary hookups" for fire departments' hose hookups, or at least they should!

There are also water pumper trucks to help put out fires, where in the past we never used to have all this - hence the dam.

The local flora and fauna, ferns, moss, wild roses, jasmine, attract all varieties of hummingbirds, all types of birds, even enough birds for the most avid birdwatcher involved in the Audubon Society or not involved with the Audubon Society!

There are basketball hoops, children's playing area with swings in sand and climbing bars.

There's places to lie in the Sun with grass. I'm pretty sure square dancing still happens there and the fire department still has there annual fundraiser there with dancing and music and games.

There ate only two drawbacks: one cannot swim in the water anymore.

The only other drawback is an unsightly metal mesh gate that stands between the river and the viewer.

If you like to drink alcohol, you could consider that draw back number 3. No alcohol allowed.

But there are so many positives to this County run Park, that is so hard not to recommend this place.

It is still hidden gem with ample parking and an exotic grocery store just down the street, a gas station just above Mill Street on which the park is located.

Pack a picnic box, buy a picnic box, bring a blanket to sit on, a good book, bring a friend, or come alone, bring your family, because it's a relaxing getaway, that is a visual treat.

Plus, The Castle is just around the river bend up stream!!

Welcome to the Ben Lomond Park! Have Fun! And...

This little gem has been here for generations, and is situated on the edge of the San Lorenzo River, tiered 10 feet below street level, and the trickling river tiered 10 feet below that. The lush, multitoned-green mountainside forest provides a beautiful backdrop on the opposite side of the river. In 2020 the park was given a makeover and a very cool new playground was constructed. The park also includes a very nice, new basketball court, a small cooking grill, several concrete picnic tables, a very large concrete courtyard area, and men's and women's public restrooms with flushing toilets and sinks with running water and soap. It's barely a block from Ben Lomond Market, on Mill St., which might be considered the "Hwy 9 business loop" that cuts one block away from Hwy 9 through perhaps one of the world's smallest "downtown districts", which stretches almost two blocks. Quiet, serene, quaint, scenic, historical, some of these things a little less so on the occasion of children's birthday parties...

I've been coming here since I was a little kid back in the early 90s when the swimming hole was still dammed up. I have always enjoyed hanging out in this park and now I frequently come here with a friend of mine as an adult. The basketball courts are surprisingly nice for what they are, and the newer play structure is very nice for children. The bathrooms could use some work and it is unfortunate that this is a place for tweakers and sketchy people. It has been nice to see the sheriff roaming the last few times here, but it goes to show that there is a reason why... It is unfortunate that the entire river is fenced off, although it is understandable given the history of this park, and the riverbed being so deep. I just wished they at least had some stairs to go down to the river. The park is right next to town and a good place for a picnic or just a relaxing day in...