FERN RIVER RESORT, Felton

Fern River Resort features 15 cabins to accommodate up to 62 guests. Cabins offer kitchens equipped with full-size appliances, including a stove and oven. Each cabin also has a drip coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, and outdoor barbeque. Some cabins include futons with extra blankets, sheets, and pillows. Studio cabins offer kitchenettes with a 2-burner stove, microwave, drip coffee pot, toaster, and small refrigerator. All units include heating, tea and coffee facilities, a sitting area, a dining table, and a patio with garden furniture. Bathrooms provide free toiletries, and rooms have flat-screen TVs and parquet floors.

Fern River Resort provides spaces for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. A meadow with lilacs, lilies, pear trees, wild strawberries, ivy, bay trees, and redwoods serves as a backdrop for events. The new river overlook area can host events. For private events, outdoor event restrooms are available. The resort offers a redwood gazebo and banquet tables for receptions. Site rental includes use of the Gazebo Garden and River Overlook area, chairs, dining tables, LED uplighting, cafe lighting, and a sound system. Amplified music is supported via a pre-wired system with speakers, equalizer/amplifier, and wireless microphones, compatible with laptops, live music, or DJ equipment.

Guests can access the river for activities such as hiking. Adventurous guests can hike directly from the property by crossing the river. Deep river swimming pools are located amongst large boulders in the gorge. Nearby Henry Cowell State Park offers trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The Redwood Loop Trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The River Trail leads to Eagle Creek, followed by an aggressive hike south. The Garden of Eden trail includes river swimming pools. Be aware that trails down to the river may be steep and slippery. Wildlife, including poison oak and stinging nettles, are common in the area.

Fern River Resort is located in the Redwood forests of Northern California, 6 miles from Santa Cruz. It is 55 km from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. Nearby attractions include Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (1 km), Roaring Camp (2 km), and the Bigfoot Discovery Museum (1 km). Other nearby landmarks include Redwood Grove Loop Trail (2 km), Canepa Motorsports Museum (5 km), and The Mystery Spot (7 km). The resort is located off Mt. Herman Rd; go straight for 3 miles until the stop light at Graham Hill Rd. Continue for approximately 1 mile; Fern River is on the left.

Check-in starts at 3 pm, with instructions emailed 24 hours prior to arrival. Guests locate their registration card at the office, sign it, and drop it in the registration box. Visa, American Express, Discover, and MasterCard are accepted. Fern River strives to maintain a peaceful atmosphere with limited guests on site. Extra overnight guests are $15 per guest, and each cabin has a maximum occupancy. Smoking is allowed outdoors around smokeless ashtrays; a $500 cleaning fee applies to guests with evidence of smoking indoors. Basic knife sets, mixing bowls, silverware, plates, cups, and cooking utensils are provided. Fern River provides cruelty-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.