Stories and guides
Around Town
Local guides, history, and practical notes about living in and visiting Boulder Creek.
Lone Wolf Kenpo Academy: Karate, Kickboxing, and Tai Chi on Highway 9
Lone Wolf Kenpo Academy, 13089 Highway 9, Boulder Creek: Kenpo karate for ages five and up, cardio kickboxing, Pilates, and Tai Chi. Open Monday to Friday.
Boulder Creek's Main Street in 1891, Building by Building
A newspaper's list of what burned in 1891 is the most complete picture of downtown Boulder Creek before the Sanborn maps. Here is the street, in order.
Septic Systems 101 for New Mountain Homeowners
Most Boulder Creek homes run on a septic system, not city sewer, so owning one is part of mountain life here. This explains how your tank and drainfield actually work, the pumping rhythm to keep on, what you should never send down the drain, and the warning signs that mean you should call a pro before a small problem gets expensive.
How Boulder Creek Got Its Name and Who Was Here First
The town takes its name from the stream that comes off Ben Lomond mountain and meets the San Lorenzo River at the north end of town. This tells how the creek got its name, who lived in the valley long before settlers, why a rival settlement called Lorenzo nearly won out, and how the railroad finally made the name Boulder Creek permanent.
The Night Boulder Creek Burned: July 16, 1891
On July 16, 1891, fire destroyed every building but one in Boulder Creek's two central blocks. The contemporary newspaper record, block by block.
Realtors in Boulder Creek: How to Choose a Mountain Agent
A guide to the two real estate offices covered here on Highway 9: Century 21 Masters and Schwarzbach Associates, with contacts and questions to ask.
Hiring a Contractor in the Santa Cruz Mountains: What's Different Up Here
Before you hire anyone for work on a mountain property, check their license free at the Contractors State License Board, get at least three written bids, and keep the deposit small. This covers the license classes that matter up here, the payment rules that protect you, why mountain permits work differently, and the questions that reveal real local experience.
The Mat: Boulder Creek's Laundromat, Renovated and App-Run
The Mat offers cashless self-service laundry at 12890 Highway 9 in Boulder Creek, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with app-run machines and virtual attendant support.
Treetop Pilates: The Classical Studio in Boulder Creek
Treetop Pilates is the classical Pilates studio at 13350 West Park Avenue, Boulder Creek. Mat, tower, and machine classes on reformer, Cadillac, and chair. Preregistration required.
San Lorenzo Valley Schools: How the District Works
How San Lorenzo Valley Unified is put together: the five campuses, the charter programs, SLV High, enrollment and transfers, buses from Boulder Creek, and the dates that move your week.
The Mountain Home Maintenance Calendar
Owning a home in Boulder Creek runs on two seasons, the wet one and the dry one. This is a month-by-month calendar: drainage, roof, and tree checks before the rains, defensible-space and generator work before fire season, and the small recurring tasks that keep both from becoming emergencies. A quick way to know what needs doing when.
El Niño Is Here: What a Strengthening 2026-27 Winter Could Mean for Boulder Creek
NOAA forecasts a strong El Niño for winter 2026-27. Here's what that could, and couldn't, mean for Boulder Creek, and how to get ready without waiting for a storm.
Keeping a Car Alive in Boulder Creek: Gas, Mechanics, and Parts
Where to fuel up, who fixes what, and where parts come from in Boulder Creek: the gas station, the repair shop, and the parts counter in town.
Where to Eat in Boulder Creek Right Now
Every spot on this list, I've eaten at, most more than once. A local's guide to every kitchen, counter, and bar in Boulder Creek.
Stumptown Supply: Boulder Creek History on a Shirt
Stumptown Supply is a Boulder Creek apparel brand built on San Lorenzo Valley history. It has no storefront; select items sell at SWAG downtown.
What Are the Sirens For? How to Look Up Boulder Creek Emergency Calls
When sirens head up Highway 9 and you want to know what's happening, this shows you where to look. PulsePoint covers fire and medical calls, Watch Duty tracks wildfire, and the CHP incident page lists Highway 9 and 236 crashes. It also explains why sheriff calls mostly stay private, and the one rule to follow in a real emergency.
Six Years After the CZU Fire
From my deck, the burned ridgeline is still there every morning. What recovery looks like here, six years on.
Creekside Wellness: A Licensed Dispensary on Highway 9
Creekside Wellness is a licensed cannabis dispensary at 12603 Highway 9 in Boulder Creek, open to customers 21 and older.
Late-Summer Wildfire Checklist for Boulder Creek
A practical, do-it-now wildfire checklist for Boulder Creek: defensible space, home hardening, go-bags, knowing your evacuation zone, and signing up for alerts before peak fire season.
What Is All the Construction on Highway 9?
The Highway 9 work near Boulder Creek is a bridge replacement at the San Lorenzo River and Kings Creek, plus a separate downtown Complete Streets project. Here's what to expect.