Few people, even locals, know that Ben Lomond, California, was once the site of a long lost resort named Rowardennan Redwood Park.
Ben Lomond is a census designated place that is home to about 6,234 people according to the 2010 census count
Few people, even locals, know that Ben Lomond, California, was once the site of a long lost resort named Rowardennan Redwood Park.
Ben Lomond is a census designated place that is home to about 6,234 people according to the 2010 census count. A relatively small mountainous community, it's located in Santa Cruz county at the base of its namesake -- neighboring Ben Lomond mountain. The town is considered to have a great deal of character because it is quite well known for the many artists who live in the community. Estimates generally agree that more artists and designers call Ben Lomond home than in over 90 percent of all other communities in the United States.
Rental houses are hard to find because the majority of residences are owner-occupied. Only around 25.2 percent of the people living in Ben Lomond rent. Apartment complexes are virtually non-existent. In order to find apartments, you'll have to think outside the box, just like the many artists that occupy the area. Ben Lomond is not a place that has large apartment complexes. Often vacation cottages are advertised as rental apartments, especially in the off season. A cottage may not be your ideal apartment, but it might tide you over until you can locate longer term housing in the Ben Lomond area. You may want to consider a condo for rent or a townhome. You should keep your eyes open for signs on private residences offering a studio apartment for rent, because many private home owners rent out small rooms to earn extra income. They will often advertise in local papers, on the internet or via a simple sign in the yard. Word of mouth is also powerful in the area, so don't hesitate to gab with the locals about what you are looking for. If you get the word out, someone with a nice little rental might step forward and help you out.
If you want to live in the Ben Lomond area, but you need to find an apartment, you will more than likely have to expand your search outward to other communities. Neighboring Scotts Valley sits only seven miles away from Ben Lomond, or Santa Cruz is located 12 miles away. Either town might be the perfect place to rent an apartment. If you do have to look a few miles away for a rental, you should consider a short term lease or month-to-month rental to prevent yourself from becoming locked into a place long term. You will need to be somewhat free to jump on the opportunity if housing becomes available in the heart of Ben Lomond. Remember that the early bird gets the worm, so prepare yourself to move fast when an apartment that you want becomes available. Competition is going to be stiff and you will have to jockey up to get the perfect place, but if you are up for the race, you can score a prime little pad.
Ben Lomond is so small the entire town is one big neighborhood. There are a few single-family homes and condos available to rent, but it'll take a little bit of digging to find them. Using an apartment locator site will make this easier. Because of it's size, it doesn't have any apartment complexes to speak of, but the neighboring communities offer some great options.
Apartment Complexes Near Ben Lomond
Bay Tree Apartments in Scotts Valley
An apartment community located at 800 Flora Lane, Bay Tree Apartments provides a relaxing setting for its residents. You can take a dip in the heated pool or lounge in the spa to soak away the day's troubles. In the distance, you can see the picturesque Santa Cruz mountains. Each unit has a slate entryway, full size appliances, ample storage, vaulted ceilings and energy efficient air conditioning. There are one, two and three bedroom units available for rent, but sometimes you might face a waiting list. You will need to fill out an application to gain move-in approval. Your credit, income, background and rental history will be checked. Usually they prefer a lease, but if you are not in a position to sign a lease discuss your circumstances with the management prior to undergoing the application process.
St George Residences in Santa Cruz
If you are looking for a simple studio apartment to spend your time while you wait for a home to become available in Ben Lomond then the St George Residences might be the perfect place for you. St George Residences are located at 833 Front Street, right in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz. They have furnished and unfurnished one bedroom apartments. There is underground parking and an on site fitness gym. No more excuses about not working out because you will have a gym located a short walk from your apartment. The units do not have washers and dryers, but there is a laundromat on the grounds for residents. Just keep a change jar handy and you can grab your basket of laundry and use the on site laundromat without having to drive somewhere else. Sitting around waiting for you clothes to dry is also a great way to meet other residents in the apartment complex. You can strike a conversation during a spin cycle.
In the evening, as the sun sets, you can head to the Ben Lomond Park downtown for a picnic or a stroll along the riverside to catch a glimpse of regional wildlife. Along Highway 9, in Ben Lomond, sits many antique shops and stores that sell a variety of crafts made from redwood burls. Several of the shops also have large displays of chainsaw art for sale. The ample woodworking crafts will make you feel like you are truly residing in an old fashioned logging town. If looking at chainsaw and redwood burl art isn't close enough to nature for you, then all you have to do is head a couple of miles north of Ben Lomond to visit the redwood giants of the forest. Big Basin State Park was founded in 1902, and is home to some of the largest redwood trees in the the state of California. Bring your bike or backpack because there are 80 miles of trails to bike and hike. If your legs are in shape, you can hike or ride some serious miles through the lush forest. Its great expanse offers solitude, so you might want to bring a bag of peanuts to buddy up with the chipmunks for a bit of company
In Ben Lomond, choices for an evening out seem limitless. If you want a bite to eat, you can experience a touch of Italy at the Casa Nostra on Hwy 9. Maybe you feel more like a touch of Bavaria and some authentic German cuisines. Look no further than the Tyrolean Inn Restaurant. While there, grab one of their authentic German beers or wines for a taste of the "Fatherland."
With persistence, you will eventually find rental housing in the Ben Lomond area so you can start enjoying everything the community has to offer. As you stroll down the streets of Ben Lomond, and truly find yourself becoming a resident, you can't help but take a few moments to recall its romantic past when it was the lavish resort of Rowardennan. Today, nothing really remains of the Rowardennan Redwood Park Resort which once boasted 150 rooms, 16 cabins and an opulent dining hall that seated 200 people. Two devastating fires, one in 1932 and another in 1933, razed the buildings leaving behind only a two-tiered fountain that can still be spotted at the south entrance to Ben Lomond. If you look closely, you will also notice a street sign near the overgrown fountain that proclaims a dirt roadway to be named Rowardennan. Those two things are the only traces that are left of the 1895 resort that once graced the area where present day Ben Lomond sits. So if you aren't afraid of ghosts, and you squint your eyes really hard, you might see wisps of Ben Lomand's previous residents who once called Rowardennan Redwood Park Resort their home and vacation getaway.
