Natural Bridges Financial Advisors

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Client assets under management

$155,788,020

Clients

93% high-net-worth

Advisors

of 3 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-4 advisors or >$200M in AUM

Clients per advisor

Low

Average account size

$1,947,350

About

Natural Bridges Financial Advisors is a fee-only advisory firm that provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management to individuals and families, offering services that include tax planning and preparation, estate-plan reviews, risk management, retirement planning, and business development support. The firm operates with a small advisory team and serves a relatively limited client base while reporting roughly $155.8 million in discretionary assets under management.

Investment advice is implemented through tailored, documented investment policy statements and discretionary asset allocation that reflect each client’s goals, risk tolerance, and tax situation, with portfolios built primarily from low-cost exchange-traded funds and no-load mutual funds (notably Dimensional Fund Advisors and Vanguard). The firm may also recommend or place assets with unaffiliated sub-advisors for ongoing management and uses its institutional custodian relationship with Altruist for custody, trading, and optional cash sweep services.

What is distinctive about Natural Bridges is its fee model and related operating practices: rather than the more common percentage-of-assets model, the firm principally uses an Open Retainer (a fixed annual fee billed quarterly, currently disclosed in the $12,000–$50,000 range), and it affirms a strict fee-only, fiduciary posture without accepting third-party commissions. Additional notable features include membership in fee-only advisor networks (e.g., ACP and NAPFA), the existence of legacy clients on prior fee arrangements, and a custodial setup that permits fee deduction and an Altruist Cash sweep with specific FDIC coverage considerations.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Tax preparation

Expertise

General retirement planning Social Security optimization Medicare planning Charitable giving & philanthropy

Fee options

Other

Fee-only: Annual fixed fee ranging from $12,000 to $50,000, payable quarterly in advance

Main office location

Natural Bridges Financial Advisors

627 Center Street

Santa Cruz CA 95060, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

California

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is not active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure Form ADV Part 3: Client Relationship

Quick links

Website 831-421-0700

Advisors at this firm

Christopher W

CFP®, Series 65

Santa Cruz, CA

Natural Bridges Financial Advisors

Christopher Wentzien is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Natural Bridges Financial Advisors in Santa Cruz, CA since 2008. Natural Bridges Financial Advisors is a fee-only firm serving individuals and families with comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management. The firm uses tailored investment policy statements and primarily invests in low-cost ETFs and no-load mutual funds, operating with a fixed annual fee model rather than a percentage-of-assets approach.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization Medicare planning Charitable giving & philanthropy

Sarah B

CFP®

Santa Cruz, CA

Natural Bridges Financial Advisors

Sarah Brown is a CFP® professional with five years of experience at Natural Bridges Financial Advisors in Santa Cruz, CA. Prior to joining Natural Bridges, she worked at 1440 Multiversity and was involved with Luma Yoga. Natural Bridges Financial Advisors is a fee-only firm serving individuals and families with comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management. The firm emphasizes tailored investment strategies using low-cost ETFs and mutual funds, operating under a fixed annual fee model with a fiduciary standard.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization Medicare planning Charitable giving & philanthropy

Anabel D

CFP®

Santa Cruz, CA

Natural Bridges Financial Advisors

Anabel Diaz Garcia is a CFP® professional at Natural Bridges Financial Advisors with two years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC and Waypoint Wealth Partners, as well as a previous tenure at Natural Bridges Financial Advisors. Natural Bridges Financial Advisors is a fee-only firm serving individuals and families with comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management. The firm uses tailored investment policy statements and primarily invests in low-cost funds, operating with a fixed annual fee model and maintaining a fiduciary standard.

General retirement planning Social Security optimization Medicare planning Charitable giving & philanthropy

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