Brookdale Lodge - Brookdale, California
Between San Jose and Santa Cruz, along Highway 9 is a place called Brookdale. We were christening my wife’s new car with a quick roadtrip to Santa Cruz. Though our original destination was The Mystery Spot, we got there to be greeted with no parking and a really long wait. We decided to visit on a less busy time of day, so instead we drove around. My wife wanted to show us the famous Brookdale Lodge. Haven’t heard of it? ….
It’s an old lodge in the Santa Cruz Mountains that had it’s share of celebrities, gangsters, and politicians in the past. These days, it’s a place for families, quick weekend getaways and weddings.
The lodge is also famous for it’s ghost, playing host to a number of paranormal shows. Whether you believe in ghosts or not (BTW, we didn’t witness anything while visiting), it’s really cool place to visit. The building itself is a throwback to a different time — more wood than concrete and stucco. If you’ve ever been to the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, it’s similar, but far simpler and far less gaudy (no Madonna Pink).
When there, definitely visit the lodge’s lobby. It contains a small museum the has old memorabilia as well as a history of the lodge, listing some of its famous visitors. It’s interesting how much simpler times were just 50 years ago. The main draw for us was the dining room.
The Brookdale Lodge’s dining room surrounds a running brook in an atrium with enormous lighting fixture. Although we didn’t get a chance to eat (we missed Sunday brunch), I could see why visitors are drawn there. The atmosphere is so utterly unique that you’d be hard pressed to find anything else like it.
We plan a return to spend a night or two to enjoy the dining room, and explore the town of Brookdale.
Gilbert’s Brookdale Lodge
http://www.brookdalelodge.com
11570 Highway 9
Brookdale, California 95007
Great place, we went there years ago. I think it has been renovated as well.
mmmm…time for another drive up to the mountains
: )
My Wife and I had our wedding at the Brookdale Lodge on July 4th in 2001 . We tied the knot on an arched bridge over the streem. The dining hall was beautiful and the staff and food were wonderfull!! We have been back for the sunday brunch many a time the food is great!