Santa Cruz Land & Lots - Knowledge, agents, comments wanted!

[J. Martin]

I'm looking at vacant lots in the Santa Cruz / Ben Lomond / Felton / Scotts Valley / Boulder Creek area. Not as far down as Monterey.

I'm looking for a secluded lot (not in line sight of neighbors), preferably buildable size (adequate minimum lot size - but not absolutely necessary), with redwoods and water (seasonal stream OK). Upslope (potentially steep) lots are OK. No utilities is OK. Seclusion is the key. Zoning flexible.

Does anyone on BP have lots to sell down there? Or know an agent down there? Know the best place to go to get a deal on a lot? I've spoken with a couple agents down there, and looked at a few pocket listings so far. But it seems like this area is a very tight RE community. And I'm sort of an outsider..

The redwood forests down in Santa Cruz county are some of the most beautiful places in the limited number of places in this world I have visited! Many lots have seasonal or year-round streams running through them. Many areas are secluded in nature, yet only a short drive (or sometimes hike) to the nearest store. Both the edge of Silicon Valley (Campbell) and Santa Cruz are within 40min. You're in the forest, but the beach/ocean is close. Oakland and SF aren't too far, and it's on the way to my parents and relatives' homes on the Central Coast near San Luis Obispo. Better yet, lots are surprisingly inexpensive down there!

@Jay Hinrichswas talking about the ability to use some of the lots for timber production, although that wasn't my original intent (nice to know though - I will look for the timber zoning as a kicker - I believe you can still build 1 SFH on a timber zoned lot down in Santa Cruz county.)

@Shane Pearlmanisn't in the land market that I'm aware of, but knows a bit about the hill folks out there. Setting aside being near the hill folks, do you have any tips Shane? Or know anyone down there? @Peter Chester, you've taken an Airbnb trip up there, right? Any feedback or tips regarding your experience?

@Helen Chau, good seeing you! Any info or leads for me about Santa Cruz lots?

[Jason Flynn]

J. Martin my mother in law runs an AirBnB up in the mountains in Aptos. They have big a property up there and have had to deal with building codes and what not in SC County (and it wouldn't surprise me if they know about timber production). If you're just looking for generic info I can get you in touch with them. Let me know and I'll send you their info.