Stories and guides
Around Town
Local guides, history, and practical notes about living in and visiting Boulder Creek.
The Flume: How Boulder Creek Floated Its Lumber to Felton
For a decade a wooden trough floated Boulder Creek's lumber twelve miles to Felton. On one day in 1881 it moved 116,400 feet in under nine hours.
Churches and Congregations in Boulder Creek, Plus the Buildings That Came First
Boulder Creek's three congregations, Catholic, Methodist, and Baptist, with service times, plus the history of the town's two oldest church buildings.
The BCVFD Summer BBQ & Dance
The BCVFD Summer BBQ & Dance is Saturday, August 22, 2026, 5:30 to 11 p.m. at the Boulder Creek fire station. Dinner, three live bands, dancing, and money toward rescue and medical equipment.
Fitness and Movement in Boulder Creek: Where to Work Out in Town
Boulder Creek has hot yoga, classical Pilates, karate, and redwood trails, but no full gym. Here's where to move in town and what still needs a drive.
Jenna Sue's Cafe: Where the Morning Crowd Goes in Boulder Creek
Jenna Sue's Cafe at 13090 Highway 9 opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays, tied for the earliest door in Boulder Creek. Java Bob's coffee, breakfast, and an in-house bakery.
Bakeries in Boulder Creek: Four Bakers, Four Ways to Buy
Boulder Creek has four bakeries, each run differently: a weekend farmstand, a farmers market stall, a custom-order baker, and an established cake shop.
The 1940 Fire House: The Building the Whole Valley Turned Out For
A crowd of 4,000, a 50-float parade, and a $13,000 building. How Boulder Creek dedicated its fire house in May 1940, and who built it.
Bowzer Baths: Dog Grooming on Highway 9 Since 1998
Bowzer Baths is the dog groomer at 13156 Hwy 9, Boulder Creek, open Tuesday to Friday 9 to 5. Small dog baths and haircuts, medium dog baths, and drop-in nail trims.
How Boulder Creek Prepares for a Wildfire Evacuation
I evacuated in 2020 without a go bag and made two trips for the animals. This guide is what I'd tell my past self.
Taxes, Banking, and Money Help in Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek has an accounting practice and a bank branch with a real lobby, plus the nearest valley tax help. The money errands you can do in town.
Back-to-School Dates and Resources for Boulder Creek Families
Back-to-school for Boulder Creek families: the SLVUSD calendar, local schools, registration, before- and after-school care, and family resources, all in one place.
How Boulder Creek Got Its Fire Department, and Why Nobody Agrees How Old It Is
BCVFD dates itself to 1892. Other records say 1894, and 1931. All three are defensible, and the evidence explains why. The documented lineage.
The Essential Shops: What You Can Buy in Town
Chicken feed, strong vinegar, and a last-minute gift: my weekly errands run through these stores. What you can buy without a drive down the valley.
Spa Services in Boulder Creek: Massage, Facials, and Nails
Massage, facials, skin care, and nails in Boulder Creek: Redwood Mountain Spa, Elevated Wellness, SuperNatural Beauty, and Oli Nails, plus booking tips.
Kids' Activities in and Around Boulder Creek, Season by Season
What kids can actually sign up for in Boulder Creek through the year: BCRPD classes and the pool, free library programs, 4-H and scouts, valley sports leagues, and rainy-day options.
Boulder Creek Golf & Country Club: What to Know Before You Play
Boulder Creek Golf & Country Club is open as a 9-hole redwood course with disc golf, a restaurant, and a bar. Rates, hours, booking, and what to know before you go.
Health Services in Boulder Creek: The Providers Who Practice in Town
You don't have to leave the mountain for routine care. Boulder Creek's dentist, chiropractor, pharmacy, and skin care, with addresses, phones, and hours.
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.