Ben Lomond is also the mountain to the west, which was named by a Scot named John Burns in 1851. Burns called the Santa Cruz-mountain after one in Scotland, and the name means beacon peak in Gaelic. Ben Lomond originally bore the name Pacific Mills after a sawmill operation located there, but in 1887 the community voted for the present name.

The town is situated amidst impressive forests of redwood trees, and hence there is plenty of outdoor recreation to revel in here. There are an abundance of places that cater to campers and visitors looking for a retreat in nature, such as The Sequoia Retreat Center, where you can rest your soul and pause for a bit of reflection.

If you find yourself hungry after a day in the forest, there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from in Ben Lomond. For a five-star experience, check out Casa Nostra, an Italian restaurant that serves high quality Mediterranean food and holds wine-pairing dinners. For breakfast, Rocky's caf is rumored to have the best blueberry pancakes around, and the red cottage of Tyrolean Inn Restaurant offers a wide selection of beer and large plates of German fare.