Our Story
Ever thought of escaping the daily grind for some relaxation in the redwoods? Our property is tucked away and private, yet only 15 minutes to the sand.
We offer the best of both worlds.
This is exactly why we moved our family to the Santa Cruz area in the first place. Nowhere else can you get it all within 15 minutes!
We purchased the Lizard Ranch in 2021. Our dream was always to have a little slice of land to let loose, be ourselves, and find some Zen! There is nothing like waking up with a cup of coffee, listening to the birds, and watching the sunrise. All this is exactly why we moved our family to the Santa Cruz area in the first place. Nowhere else can you get it all within 15 minutes!
Celebrate your event under the magnificent canopy of nature.
We offer a secluded, family-owned venue, tucked into the redwoods for the event of your choice.
Lizard Ranch has a long history as an Italian ranch in the early 1900s, a commercial avocado orchard, a party place and co-living commune, and now a family reunion, retreat, and special event space ready for you to enjoy!
For events, there is a large flat brick patio, a huge shade structure/palapa (made with redwood from the property!), a large pond as a backdrop, a stage, and a meadow, all for you to use your creative brush to be able to make this place, and your event, your own.
You can see why this spot could be a great place to escape the pressures of trying to juggle all your obligations in a busy week. We rent by the day, overnight, the weekend, or by the week.
Are you planning a special retreat? Or are you looking for an unusual spot for a family or class reunion? You may be an event planner looking for your next training or wellness retreat.
If you love nature, you will love this place. Whether you stay for a weekend, a week, or attend a one-day event, you’ll find breathing space and a sense of connection with nature.
Our purpose is to provide an unforgettable experience for you and your guests, whatever your event may be.
![LizardRanch_6-8-23_ClearStory-74 8 person Sauna](https://ilovelizardranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/LizardRanch_6-8-23_ClearStory-74.jpg)
![LizardRanch_6-8-23_ClearStory-22 Interior shot of bedroom](https://ilovelizardranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/LizardRanch_6-8-23_ClearStory-22.jpg)
Explore
I think by now you can see why our family finds Lizard Ranch so special, and we hope you do as well.
Book an appointment or give us a call. Whether you want to spend time with your family, have a private hike through the woods, sip coffee and watch wildlife from your deck, while the sun rises over 100ft tall redwoods, you can do it here. Or you may simply want to share some wine and food with friends while listening to frogs and owls enliven the night while you watch the stars pass by. We are proud to share our family ranch, tyhe one we built to be a place of gathering, solitude, and self-introspection for you and your loved ones.
Events
We have had happy friends and renters enjoy large gatherings and events. We look forward to many more memories from events such as:
- Birthdays
- Family reunions
- Men’s and Women’s Spiritual retreats
- Yoga retreats
- Small weddings
- Campouts
- Anything your wild imagination can come up with!