Vine Hill Rd, California

For those who like the idea of being near the Santa Cruz beaches but cannot stand the idea of being in a crowded area, Vine Hill Road offers the perfect solution - a lovely, secluded home in the redwoods that feels worlds away from the tourists and surfers alike. Furthermore, it is a well-kept secret from the mass commuters, and can certainly help bypass some of the Highway 17 traffic. Vine Hill peels off of 17 just north of Scotts Valley, and winds down to Branciforte Drive where the two converge about a mile from the famous Mystery Spot.

However, if the sounds of this street appeal to you for either of the aforementioned reasons, be forewarned: You will *probably* get carsick, and your driving skills should probably be well-honed before you attempt to drive on this street. I have actually made myself nauseous on here as the driver, which is no small feat. There are several retreat centers located on this road, so if you are traveling by bus I would recommend sucking it up, sitting in Route 17 traffic, and approaching the area via Branciforte, where you will not struggle nearly as much.

Cell reception is not great, either, which seems to be a common ailment in the Bay Area. But overall, if you are looking for a woodside retreat that is minutes away but worlds apart from a great beach town, this could very well be the perfect fit.