Santa Cruz is one of the coolest cities in California. It has a hippy culture, a thriving music and arts culture, a beautiful coastline, plenty of surfing, and world-famous redwood trees.
A city known for its laid-back vibe, there are plenty of treehouse rentals located in the mountains of Santa Cruz, where private and secluded abodes offer guests the perfect way to unplug from city life.
Some of these Santa Cruz tree houses are located within Santa Cruz County or a short drive away, but each offers a unique vacation home for anyone who wants to experience staying under a canopy of redwood trees.
I’ve found 6 of these Santa Cruz treehouses, and they range from large family-friendly rentals to tiny tree houses designed for two.
Here are tree houses in Santa Cruz located in mountain settings that offer the peace and quiet you’re looking for:
1. Peaceful Treehouse with Ocean Views
(Photo from Expedia)
Location: Aptos, California
Price: $611
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California’s Pacific coastline is over a thousand kilometers and you’ve got views of it from this stunning Santa Cruz treehouse. It features minimalist design aesthetics, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the breathtaking horizon.
Each room, including the bedrooms features high ceilings and glass windows, offering an airy, breezy, and expansive space that adds to your peace and relaxation when staying here.
There are 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, and the rental sleeps 6, which is perfect for a small family or a group of friends on a vacation.
Other features include a kitchen, living space, a deck, and panoramic and forest views. The architecture of this unique Santa Cruz treehouse rental is geometric, with sharp lines, beams, and even Japanese shoji screens used in the bedrooms.
For anyone looking for a “chic escape,” as dubbed by Sunset Magazine when it featured this treehouse, it’s a beautiful choice for anyone who needs some style and design when making their vacation home choice.
2. Magical Treehouse
(Photo from VRBO)
Location: Los Gatos, California
Price: $206
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Cute, charming, and intimate, this treehouse is located within the Santa Cruz mountains, where majestic redwood trees offer spectacular surroundings.
It has a cozy bedroom loft and sleeps 2, which means this is perfect for solo travelers or for couples looking for a romantic treehouse experience.
There’s a small balcony with seating, and you’ll find yourself under a canopy of redwoods, creating a magical spot for drinking coffee or reading a good book. There's a loveseat on the lower level, as well as a small table and chair, but there’s no kitchen. Cooking, bonfires, or any kind of open flames are prohibited, as this treehouse rental is a tiny space with plenty of wooden features.
An oak spiral staircase is one of its pretty details, which leads you up to the sleeping loft. The bathroom is also located outside, which includes a shower, toilet, and a vintage clawfoot bathtub, with views overlooking a running creek.
3. Bear Creek Cabin
(Photo from VRBO)
Location: Boulder Creek, California
Price: $189
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There are moments when you want to unplug and escape the city. And if this is one of those moments, then you’ll love Bear Creek Cabin. This is not exactly a treehouse but it’s elevated from the ground and you’re surrounded by beautiful trees overlooking Bear Creek.
It’s a completely off-the-grid vacation home, with power provided through solar, and a wood stove is used for heat. There's no TV or WiFi but there’s good cell service so you’re not completely unreachable.
There's a bedroom and a bathroom, and it sleeps 3. It’s great for a solo guest, a couple, or a small family wanting to experience an off-grid weekend. There’s also a BBQ grill, a fireplace, an outdoor space, vaulted ceilings, plenty of skylights, and it also has a deck.
The cabin is located within a 100-acre property but it has its own padlocked gate and private driveway, giving you security and privacy.
4. Tranquil Mountain Refuge
(Photo from VRBO)
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Price: $190
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Located in a secluded mountain area, this cabin/treehouse among the trees offers a tiny living experience with an intimate outdoor space.
It features one bedroom, 1 bathroom, and sleeps 4. It’s not ideal for children as it’s located by the edge of a hillside, but it does offer some sweeping views of tall redwood trees. The Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a short 12-minute drive away.
Other features of this rental in Santa Cruz include a kitchen, air conditioning, ocean views, WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and in the mornings, you are served croissants for breakfast. The overall design aesthetic is bright, light, clean, and chic, creating an airy and relaxing stay.
5. Santa Cruz Mountain Studio
(Photo from VRBO)
Location: Ben Lomond, California
Price: $180
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This treehouse rental in Santa Cruz is another secluded and peaceful hideaway. It is nestled in a 2-acre private property surrounded by redwoods, giving you an opportunity to reconnect with nature and experience the beauty of this region.
It’s a studio space with a bathroom and kitchen, and it sleeps 2, which makes it perfect for a solo retreat, a couple’s getaway, or for a couple of friends looking to unplug from city life.
There’s a main house on the property but this treehouse is located at a close distance, yet still offering guests a private space for themselves. It’s a peaceful oasis with a loveseat in the living area, a queen bed for sleeping, a full kitchen, WiFi, and an outdoor space.
It’s a secluded treehouse with basic amenities, but it’s comfortable and offers a restful place to stay in Ben Lomond, right in the heart of Santa Cruz County. Though far from the main highway and located within the woods, you’ll discover there are plenty of nearby restaurants and fast food joints that make it convenient to stay. McDonald’s and Starbucks Coffee are only minutes away, as well as Taco Bell and other popular fast food names are within 11 minutes from this Santa Cruz treehouse rental.
6. The Treehouse at the Redwoods in Yosemite
(Photo from VRBO)
Location: Yosemite National Park, California
Price: $296
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A gorgeous treehouse rental only 3 to 4 hours away from Santa Cruz, this rental is located in Yosemite National Park, giving guests lots of beautiful nature to enjoy. It has one bedroom and one bathroom and sleeps 4.
It’s a great option for a couple, a small family, or a group of friends. It also has a well-stocked kitchen, a washer and dryer, and a deck with a BBQ grill, and pets are welcome to stay.
Other features include WiFi, a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a gas BBQ, a picnic table and chairs, and a wooden porch with a swing located on the back deck.
Santa Cruz is a gorgeous beachside city that offers so much, from surfing to shopping, and dining, to outdoor adventures, mountains, and redwood forests, it is a genuine California travel destination for all kinds of visitors.
Marvel at tall and majestic redwoods in any of these treehouse rentals in Santa Cruz, and return home relaxed and rejuvenated, as well as having unforgettable memories with your loved ones.