Bonny Doon

Welcome to Bonny Doon

Mountain Living, Redwoods & Coastal Access

Discover Bonny Doon

Bonny Doon is a scenic, rural community perched in the Santa Cruz Mountains north of Santa Cruz. Known for its quiet forested setting, expansive properties, and proximity to both redwood forests and Monterey Bay beaches, Bonny Doon offers a distinctive lifestyle that blends privacy, nature, and outdoor adventure. With a population of around 2,868 residents, it feels like a peaceful mountain retreat while remaining connected to regional hubs.

A Brief History & Character

Originally founded in the 1850s as a logging camp, Bonny Doon was named by Scotsman John Burns after a line in Robert Burns’ poem “The Banks O’ Doon,” evoking the rolling hills and forests of its namesake. The community grew as timber, sand, and lime were harvested from the surrounding mountains, and over time evolved into a wooded residential area prized for outdoor living and rural charm.

Unlike larger towns, Bonny Doon has no central commercial district, which helps preserve its tranquil character. Instead, local life is grounded in forest trails, small vineyards, farms, and community events.

Location & Proximity

Bonny Doon’s elevated mountain setting offers expansive views and refreshing breezes, with forest and chaparral landscapes covering much of the area. It is situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz County, with easy access to nature preserves and the coastal corridor:

Santa Cruz, CA: approximately 13 miles and about 20–25 minutes by car — ideal for shopping, dining, beaches, and cultural attractions.
Silicon Valley (San Jose area): approximately 40–45 miles and about 1–1.5 hours by car, making it feasible for occasional Bay Area travel while living in a quieter setting.

Bonny Doon’s location is also close to University of California, Santa Cruz, roughly 10 miles away, which adds an academic and cultural influence to the region.

Nature & Outdoor Living

For residents who love the outdoors, Bonny Doon delivers on multiple fronts:

Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve – A 552-acre nature preserve featuring rare plant communities, redwoods, wildflowers, and miles of hiking trails.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (Fall Creek Unit) – Offers additional forest trails, river access, and shaded groves.
Nearby Beaches – The cliffs, dunes, and pocket coves of Bonny Doon Beach and the larger Coast Dairies State Park coastline are short drives away, providing dramatic ocean views and hiking opportunities along bluffs and shoreline paths.
Local Wine Culture – Boutique vineyards such as Beauregard Vineyards and hobby vineyards on private properties contribute to a casual wine-country vibe.

Homes are typically set on large, wooded lots with privacy and outdoor space, and many properties offer ocean views, mountain scenery, and even room for equestrian or hobby uses.

Schools & Education

Public Schools (Serving Bonny Doon & Surrounding Area)

Bonny Doon Elementary School – K–6
Mission Hill Middle School – 6–8
Harbor High School – 9–12
Santa Cruz High School – 9–12 (alternative choice nearby)

For secondary education, students typically attend schools within the Santa Cruz City Schools District, offering a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs.

Private & Independent School Options (Nearby):

• Bosch Bahá’í School – Private, community-based education in Bonny Doon area
• Santa Cruz Waldorf School – PK–8 (Santa Cruz)
• Holy Cross School – PK–8 (Santa Cruz)
• Monte Vista Christian School – PK–12 (Watsonville area)
• Sonlight Academy – K–12 (nearby)

These options give families flexibility in educational pathways that can match both local community size and broader regional school access.

Community & Lifestyle

Bonny Doon has a unique, creative spirit shaped by its natural setting and resident culture. Trails lead to hidden beaches and bluffs, local farms and wineries celebrate agricultural roots, and community gatherings like the Bonny Doon Art, Wine & Brew Festival bring neighbors together.

The area’s forested terrain and elevation often result in varied microclimates, with cooler fog on some days and warm, sunlit ridges on others. Many properties include outdoor living spaces and expansive decks to take advantage of nature — from birdwatching and hiking to quiet evenings under the trees

In Summary

Bonny Doon offers a distinctive lifestyle marked by mountain living, wooded privacy, and easy access to both redwoods and Monterey Bay beaches. Residents enjoy a close connection to nature, artistic and agricultural influences, and a strong sense of community. With convenient proximity to Santa Cruz (about 20–25 minutes) and reasonable access to Silicon Valley, Bonny Doon is a compelling choice for buyers seeking serene country living without losing touch with regional amenities and coastal attractions.

Property Listings

Price

Living Area

For Sale

MLS® ML82020749

Overview for Bonny Doon, CA

2,946 people live in Bonny Doon, where the median age is 43.8 and the average individual income is $58,869. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

2,946

Total Population

43.8 years

Median Age

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$58,869

Average individual Income

Around Bonny Doon, CA

There's plenty to do around Bonny Doon, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

3

Car-Dependent

Walking Score

6

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Oakstrong Martial Arts, Ride-A-Wave, and Highline Surf Instruction.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Oakstrong Martial Arts page on Yelp Search 6191 Highway 9 on Google Maps	Active	3.54 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Ride-A-Wave page on Yelp	Active	1.7 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Highline Surf Instruction page on Yelp	Active	2.07 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the New Dimensions Acupuncture & Herbology page on Yelp Search 550 Hillcrest Dr on Google Maps	Active	3.71 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Bonny Doon Farm English Lavender page on Yelp Search 600 Martin Rd on Google Maps	Beauty	0.55 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Bonny Doon, CA

Population Households Employment

Bonny Doon has 922 households, with an average household size of 2.86. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Bonny Doon do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 2,946 people call Bonny Doon home. The population density is 177.87 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

2,946

Total Population

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

43.8

Median Age

48.57 / 51.43%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

922

Total Households

2.86

Average Household Size

$58,869

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Bonny Doon, CA

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Bonny Doon. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

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Welcome to Bonny Doon

Discover Bonny Doon

A Brief History & Character

Location & Proximity

Nature & Outdoor Living

Schools & Education

Public Schools (Serving Bonny Doon & Surrounding Area)

Private & Independent School Options (Nearby):

Community & Lifestyle

In Summary

Property Listings

$8,495,000

$4,500,000

$3,995,000

$2,390,000

$2,390,000

$1,300,000

$1,100,000

$1,099,000

$1,019,900

Overview for Bonny Doon, CA

2,946

43.8 years

Low

$58,869

Around Bonny Doon, CA

3

Car-Dependent

6

Somewhat Bikeable

Points of Interest

Demographics and Employment Data for Bonny Doon, CA

2,946

Low

43.8

48.57 / 51.43%

922

2.86

$58,869

Schools in Bonny Doon, CA

Explore Other Communities

Watsonville

Aptos

Soquel

Capitola

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Contact Details

Kathleen Manning | CA DRE# 00885315

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