Highlands County Park

8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond

Features

  • Playgrounds
  • Public Art
  • Picnic Areas
  • Reservable Event Venue
  • Reservable Picnic Areas
  • BBQs 
  • Skate Park
  • Tennis Courts
  • Nature Trail
  • Soccer Fields
  • Baseball/Softball Fields
  • River Access
  • Senior Center
  • Lawn Area
  • Childrens Center
  • Horseshoe Pit

Park Hours

Sunrise to sunset

Restroom

Yes

Parking (ADA)

There is a large parking lot with ADA spaces available.

Picnic Area Reservations

Highlands County Park has one picnic area available by reservation. This picnic area has no covered picnic pavilion and is in the lower region of the park. Highlands Park offers a large playground with nearby river access, tennis courts, skate park and a large lawn area on the upper grounds. Nearby trails make a great adventure for any planned birthday party scavenger hunts or for a stroll to enjoy the beauty of the San Lorenzo Valley.

Athletic Field Reservations

Highlands County Park has two baseball/softball fields and one soccer field. Baseball/softball fields share space with the soccer field. Availabilty for these fields is limited per sports season. All athletic fields are close to a large playground with nearby river access, tennis courts, and a skate park. This is a great location for leagues in the San Lorenzo Valley!

Wedding Reservations

Highlands County Park is the site of many weddings each year. Your rental will include a delightful mansion from the 1940’s with a grand room for dancing. The venue offers privacy in a park setting with elegant, landscaped grounds for a ceremonies and receptions.

Meeting Room Reservations

Highlands Park House in Ben Lomond has a maximum capacity of 75 persons. The facility offers a large historic house on acres of forested park land. This is a great location for groups in the San Lorenzo Valley!

Outdoor Class Permits

Whether it’s fitness, tai chi, plein air painting or any other low impact outdoor recreational activity, County Parks offers various park sites for you to teach your outdoor classes.

Special Events

Highlands County Park is a large space perfect for festivals. Your rental can include a delightful mansion with the entire park option. This venue offers privacy in a park setting with elegant, landscaped grounds and riverside trails.

Parties & Events Reservations

Highlands County Park is the site of many private celebrations. Your rental will include a delightful mansion from the 1940’s with a grand room for dancing. This venue offers privacy in a park setting with elegant, landscaped grounds and riverside trails.

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History

In the early 1900's, Lord and Lady Anderson, of England, bought the 26 acres which now make up Highlands Park. They built an English-style mansion on the property and named it "The Highlands," in honor of Lord Anderson's Scottish heritage. When his wife died, Lord Anderson sold the land.

It was in the hands of developers until the Nasser family bought it in the late 1930's. The Nassers tore down the aging Anderson mansion and built the home which is still on the property today. The Nasser family, being entrepreneurs in the entertainment/filming business, regularly enjoyed entertaining guests in the house.

Santa Cruz County Parks purchased the property in 1974, and the park opened as San Lorenzo Valley park in 1977. The name was later changed to Highlands County Park in memory of Lord and Lady Anderson.

Accessibility

We are working on gathering information about accessibility at all County parks and facilities.
Check back here soon for more information.

To learn about County Parks' commitment to accessibility and inclusion and find accessible County parks and facilities,
see our Accessibility & Inclusion page here.