Scotts Valley, California Travel Guide

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Scotts Valley is set in the forested hills east of Santa Cruz beaches. Enjoy Felton Roaring Camp beach train rides to Santa Cruz where you get off the train for a Santa Cruz BoardWalk thrill ride or some surfing. Visit the beaches of Capitola, Aptos and Steamer's Lane to see California beach culture. We like staying in Scotts Valley because it is a bit less touristy than Santa Cruz.

Throughout the years we've stayed in the surfing capital of Northern California's Bay Area because there's so much to do, and it was the obvious choice. But less publicized Scotts Valley allows you as visitor to get a feel of the community spirit. High school students hold up car wash signs near an intersection, raising money for some program. The local movie theater offers flicks and sometimes less crowds, and then there's a hotel we especially like. Scotts Valley Hilton is really nice, and as one of the better hotels in the region, offers quality decor and bedding, a scenic mountain setting with towering pines, and a nice restaurant, laundry room, and many perks on site. This hotel that looks like a castle is freeway-close, allowing for acces to the nearby beaches, and to the Felton trains at Roaring Camp. In addition, San Jose and Silicon Valley can be accessed from Scotts Valley. This unassuming city that seems like a residential community offers a lot of what we seek in accommodations and amenities on vacations in Santa Cruz County.