Highlands Park

Description
This is a 26 acre park, complete with playing field, group picnic areas, play area, tennis court, and a beautiful house. The house features hardwood floors, picture windows, a large kitchen and private lawn. The house will accommodate groups of up to 200 persons (125 persons maximum on Saturdays April though mid June, 200 persons on Saturdays mid June through October, and 100 persons maximum daily in winter November through March) for weddings, private parties, or meetings. This is one of Santa Cruz County's most popular wedding facilities. Other amenities include 2 softball fields, 1 soccer field and 2 group picnic areas. Both picnic areas are for 30 persons maximum to include children however, the lower picnic area, formerly known as the Redwood Deck Picnic Area, is now available with a reservation only as of April 1, 2019. A jump house permit must be included at the time of the picnic reservation only; a generator is required. Also on the park property is a senior center and the childrens center of San Lorenzo Valley.

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 Park in memory of Lord and Lady Anderson.

Park Hours
8:00 am till dusk, unless reserved.

Parking
There is a large parking lot with an additional 50 reserved spaces for weddings and events at the house.

Park Amenities
Picnic tables, play ground, skate park, volleyball court and tennis courts are available. Soccer and baseball fields are available with a reservation. Alcohol, music and jump houses are not permitted at the picnic areas, athletic fields, skate park and surrounding park areas including the parking lot. Portable bbq's and cookstoves (i.e. propane stoves, comal pozo/disco) are not permitted. Public restrooms are open year round. Fishing is permitted with a license.

Reservations
Please see our new Weddings, Picnic Areas, and Athletic Fields pages to learn how to reserve at Highlands Park!

Meeting Rooms
A Meeting Room reservation includes the use of our interior meeting room space with tables and chairs. Any kitchen use, or exterior use, needs to be added to your reservation by our office.  Additional fees may apply.  The tables and chairs are not permitted for use on the patio or lawn area with a meeting room rental.

Directions
From Santa Cruz, take highway 1 to Highway 17. Go about 3 miles Highway 17 to the Scotts Valley/Mount Hermon Road exit. Continue on Mount Hermon Road through Scotts Valley 3.8 miles to Graham Hill Road. Turn right on Graham Hill Road and take your next right on Hwy 9. Go about 2 miles on Hwy 9, Highlands Park is on your right hand side 1500 yards after Glenn Arbor Road.

Please call the County Parks Facilities office for more information on Highlands County Park and other parks within County jurisdiction.

Facilities Reservation (831)454-7938

Main County Parks Line (831)454-7901