Busy Weekend as Summer Begins in SLV

Crazy hats, pancakes, potlucks, music, yard sales, history and more as Summer arrives in SLV.

Pancake breakfasts at the Zayante Fire Department and SLV Senior Center and a potluck at the Lompico Community Center are just a few of the events scheduled in the San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains this weekend as we celebrate the Summer solstice and Father’s Day.

On Friday night at Park Hall three up and coming local groups will provide live music for dancing at the venerable Park Hall on Mill St in Ben Lomond. A band called US will kick off the program at 7:30. A young bunch of SLV rockers, these guys provide polished original songs that gets the crowd moving. Next up are Jamie and Kellen Coffis who along with guitarist Kyle Poppen will preview some new material in addition to local favorites like “One Way Road” and “I’ve Got Love on My Side” as they tune up for their July 3rd gig at Don Quixote’s. My Stupid Brother, the pop-punk power trio that includes brothers George and Henry Chadwick with drummer Jesse Wilkinson headline the show. They’ll be playing songs from their latest CD What You Need as they get ready for their appearance at MTN PALOOZA on June 26 at Don Quixote’s. Tickets are $5 and the show is open to all ages.

If you’re nostalgic for an earlier era or just want more music you could head down to Felton where Don Quixote’s is featuring San Francisco 's Summer of Love Revue. Tickets are $10 and you must be 21 or over. You can also find live music at Joe’s Bar in Boulder Creek, Henfling’s in Ben Lomond and the Trout Farm Inn on Zayante Road.

On Saturday beginning at 8AM the Valley Women’s Club is holding their annual rummage sale to support their scholarship fund. The sale takes place in the parking lot of the Foster’s Freeze on Highway 9 in Boulder Creek and runs till 2PM. You could hit the sale on your way to or from a 9AM Jazzercise class at either Boulder Creek Recreation Hall (13333 Middleton Street behind the Boulder Creek Fire Station) or Felton Community Hall.

The San Lorenzo Valley Museum opens at noon and has an interesting exhibit currently “Big Trees to Surfboards – The Redwood Connection” At 2pm Saturday they’re hosting a talk with the Santa Cruz Surfing Club Preservation Society followed by a book signing with long-time Santa Cruz surfer Tom Hickenbottom, author of ‘Surfing in Santa Cruz”.

The Central Coast Crazy Hats Days gets underway at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park with two full days of music, games, food, crafts and contests. Music lineup on Saturday: US Band (10am), Fiddle Road (12:30pm), SADZA Marimba Band (2pm) and the Steve Abrams Trio (5pm).

At Big Basin you can meet the famous Mother Tree, the Father of the Forest and the Chimney Tree on the one-hour Redwood Loop walk Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters at 11am to join a docent led hike or take the hike by yourself anytime. Junior Ranger programs at 3pm, the Big Basin Nature Club at 4:30pm and a Campfire program at 7pm are all popular at California’s first state park.

If it’s solitude you’re after Fall Creek State Park (parking lot off of Empire Grade or you can access through the High School) has dozens of trails as does Quail Hollow County Park. Both of these gems offer easy short or long hikes. With Highway 9 closed to through traffic near the 2 mile marker (near Paradise Park) expect an influx of bike riders but be careful since their will still be car traffic heading for and returning from the popular trail heads that lead to secret river spots.

Highlands Park in Ben Lomond and the Covered Bridge Park in Felton provide the most fun for young children. At Highlands the play structures are down the hill below the mansion and Senior Center. There are also two tennis courts and trails to some nice beaches along the San Lorenzo river.

The Big Trees Railroad runs two round trips between Roaring Camp in Felton and the Beach Boardwalk at 10:30 and 2:30 and the local steam train loop through the Redwoods has 4 departure: 11, 12:30, 2, and 3:30.

Saturday nights in the San Lorenzo Valley are always fun. In Boulder Creek Scopazzi’s and in Felton Oak Tree Ristorante offer top quality dinner dining and the Redwood Pizzeria serves a great traditional and all organic pizza as well as salads, soups and lasagna. Ciao Bella Act II in Ben Lomond is one of the most unusual dining experiences you’re likely to have with entertaining servers and food that will not disappoint. The Boulder Creek Brewery is well known for their burgers and of course their extensive selection of handmade brews. They have a happy hour that begins at 9PM on Saturday.

In addition to the great music presented at Don Quixote’s, they offer a full menu of Mexican dishes. On Saturday night CRYPTICAL and The Little Wheels Band, two celebrated SF Bay Area bands will entertain beginning at 8PM.

On Sunday you have a choice of pancake breakfasts on Father’s Day: The Zayante Firefighter’s Association hosts their 30th annual event beginning at 7AM and in addition to a sumptuous breakfast there’s music, games and raffles. A quieter breakfast, but still with music by Char, will be held at the SLV Senior Center in Highlands Park beginning at 8:30AM.

In Ben Lomond the Tyrolean Inn puts on a special brunch for Dad’s day and Rocky’s Diner in Felton is a popular breakfast spot.

The Lompico Community Club is hosting a potluck at the Community Center (10734 Lompico Rd.) from 2 till 6 with music and games. Bring something to share and something to throw on their grill and enjoy yourself with some of the County’s most fun loving residents.

The Crazy Hats event continues at Henry Cowell’s with music by the US Band and The Singing Wood Marimba Band (10AM), Celina and the Mountain Gypsies (12:30PM) and All Shook Up (5PM). Across the way at Roaring Camp it’s “Hats Off to Dad” featuring model trains on display, live music and a chuck wagon BBQ. One lucky dad on each steam train ride will win a ride down the mountain in the cab of the locomotive. For an additional $5, a guided walk down from about half-way up Bear Mountain is also available on Redwood Forest Steam Trains departing 11:00, 12:30 and 2:00.

Up at Big Basin you can celebrate The Men of Big Basin with living history re-enactments at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm. At 10 AM “The Road Less Traveled” is a dog-friendly walk along North Escape Road, a paved road closed to traffic. Tour stunning old-growth redwood groves along beautiful Opal Creek or join the Wildflower Walk! also at 10 with docent Scott Peden to learn to identify the companion plants of the redwood forest on a five mile, five hour walk through the Santa Cruz mountains.

Live jazz on the porch at Scopazzi’s has become a Sunday staple and a bluegrass band performs at Boulder Creek Brewery beginning at 7. You can finish off the day with the Celtic Society of Monterey Bay at Don Quixote’s with esteemed musician, singer and songwriter, Andy Irvine.

All in all a pretty full start to the Summer in the San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains.