"My Old Hometown" Ben Lomond by MDH

Ben Lomond is where I grew up for the first 22 years of my life. Nothing special's here, to tell you the truth. No beach. No Eiffel Tower. Not much of anything, really...but it's home, and a beautiful small town of 3500 people, located in the redwood forest-covered San Lorenzo Valley just north of Santa Cruz and south of San Jose.

Coming into Ben Lomond, you probably won't think that you're only 15 minutes from the beach or near one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Instead, Ben Lomond exudes a feeling that makes you think you were in Northern Washington or Eastern Oregon--a small town in the forest, isolated from civilization. But Ben Lomond is well worth a short visit, to explore a typical quiet Northern Californian town.

• Pros:Ben Lomond is quiet, friendly, nice and charming, and never far away from the city or the beach.
• Cons:This isn't a big city with tons of attractions. It's Small Town, U.S.A.
• In a nutshell:If you're travelling up Highway 9 through the San Lorenzo Valley, Ben Lomond is worth a few minutes to explore and relax.