Location: Scotts Valley
Top Things to do in Scotts Valley
- 1. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- 2. Capitola Beach
- 3. West Cliff Drive
- 4. Mount Hermon Adventures
- 5. Canepa Motorsports Museum
- 6. Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
- 7. Wilder Ranch State Park
- 8. Cinelux Scotts Valley Cinema
- 9. University of California at Santa Cruz
- 10. Bigfoot Discovery Museum
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10 Things to Do in Scotts Valley That You Shouldn't Miss
The tranquil town of Scotts Valley – a half-hour from Silicon Valley and six miles from Santa Cruz – mixes lush redwood forests with high-tech businesses. Nearby, Henry Cowell and Big Basin Redwoods State Parks offer a multitude of options for hikers. And on the Fourth of July, Scotts Valley is the place to be, with an impressive fireworks celebration. In summertime, the Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival brings together local wine makers and artists, all in a pet-friendly outdoor setting.
Restaurants in Scotts Valley
1. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 554 reviews
Minutes away from the city, this park has old redwoods.
Reviewed By Dalen K
Enjoyed a great hike - beautiful scenery, quiet. Parking was a little tough - at least where I was. There were lots of mountain bikers around. It could be I chose the wrong location - don’t know.
2. Capitola Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Artsy, secluded spot close by, but away from the crowds of Santa Cruz
Reviewed By jaseaton - Silver Spring, Maryland
In the past we've rented houses along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. This time we chose a place along East Cliff in Capitola, so we spent quite a bit of time walking the Cliff Drive and gazing out at the surfers along Capitola City Beach as well as watching people walking with their dogs, babies, and each other. It was a sensational afternoon and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The houses along the way were smaller than those in Santa Cruz, bit also more interesting.
3. West Cliff Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By M C - Newport News, Virginia
Walked a ways on this easy path above DT Santa Cruz on the West Cliffs. Road parallels path/trail...nice neighborhood. Walkers, runners and bikers. Striking ocean scenes, waves pounds rocks below. Since walk is in a rough semi circular view's are great of breaking waves.
4. Mount Hermon Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 474 reviews
Mount Hermon Adventures is the home of the Redwood Canopy Tours zip line tour and the Sequoia Aerial Adventure course. The Redwood Canopy Tour is a fully guided zip line tour with six zip lines led by our amazing guide staff. The Sequoia Aerial Adventure is an adventure course with three levels, multiple challenges, and the exciting "quick jump" free-fall challenge. Reservations are required so please make your reservation and plan ahead for an amazing adventure in the redwood forest.
Reviewed By jdhogan - San Francisco, California
We visited the Sequoia Aerial Adventure course with our leadership team of 14 ppl. It was a perfect afternoon together. The course allows for enough freedom for individuals to explore on their own while still keeping everyone in the same vicinity. It's a great environment to build support for each other by cheering each other on and providing encouragement. Even with a few participants not loving heights, the guides and the ease with which you can enter / exit the course made everyone comfortable. Highly recommended for corporate events. All employees were awesome, gracious and fun.
5. Canepa Motorsports Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By glewbel - Scotts Valley, California
If you're a car enthusiast, this place will make you drool and pull out your wallet. Need a nice 1964 Porsche C coupe? Here's one in concours d'elegance condition. How about a Lambo, or a Ferrari, or maybe a sweet Triumph bike from the 1970s? Don't miss visiting Canepa's, if only to dream about what could have been if you had bought that cheap seaside property in Santa Cruz way back when...
6. Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow-Gauge Railroad
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
A train ride into a private redwood stand.
Reviewed By Feltonite - Felton, California
This place is probably Felton's best-kept secret. So charming. The train rides are such a joy, especially the Halloween & Christmas ones they do. If you haven't ever been, do the Halloween train ride up to the top of Bear Mountain with your children (little ones, like 5 & under might get scared). They narrate & reenact the story of Ichobod Crain & the Headless Horseman along the way. The event is at night, so if taking a train ride through a pitch-black forest sounds like fun to you then this is the event for you!
7. Wilder Ranch State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By Maria S - Knoxville, Tennessee
Wilder Ranch has something for everyone. A fairly gentle hike with wildflowers, birds, butterflies and other wildlife. And then at the end, amazing views of the bluffs with the ocean waves crashing below.
You also have the ranch itself which has farm animals with a barn and out buildings you can see. Members of your party may enjoy seeing the antique farm equipment. The farm house is not open for public view however. You can go to the welcome center for information and also enjoy talking with the walking guide who can answer just about any question for you.
Make sure you take a jacket with hood or some other warm apparel. You may be hot hiking until you get to the extremely breezy bluffs. It was very cold wind that just about took our breath away the day we were there. It may not be that way all the time as we were visiting from out of state, but good to be prepared. Little ones will need to be holding a hand of an adult when you get to the bluffs. There are no guardrails.
There is a fee for parking but none for the visit. Restrooms are close to the entrance near the parking lot if needed.
8. Cinelux Scotts Valley Cinema
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Carol G - Scotts Valley, California
Great theatre with seats that can be reserved in advance. Comfortable seats , clean theatre and well organized. For popular movies I drop by early to get seats in advance so we don't have to sit in the front row. Only trouble is parking on a Friday night...
9. University of California at Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
The Santa Cruz campus offers an attractive blend of notable architecture and panoramic views.
Reviewed By drdave822 - Buffalo, NY
UCSC offers a modern campus with buildings set far apart in a wooded hillside overlooking Monterey Bay. There also is an Ag School with lots of critters and a greehouse where you can plants and gifts. I recommend taking a tour to get the full experience. Catch theater, dance or music by talented students while on campus. Only downside: its is very hard to find a good cup of coffee on campus!
10. Bigfoot Discovery Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By helenann2k - NY
I've always been fascinated with the idea of Bigfoot, or the possibility that there are creatures out there we haven't officially discovered yet. So, while visiting family nearby, we made a small detour and came to the museum. It was as I expected. A tiny, dusty collection of Bigfoot information and memorabilia, including footprint castings, maps of spottings and encounters, and a small exhibit on the Patterson film. This is not a go-to destination unless you are into Bigfoot, cryptozoology, or kitsch. It is a "roadside america" style attraction that will only take a few minutes to look over if you only have a passing interest. The best part is the curator Mike, who has turned his passion of Bigfoot into this small museum. He has lots of stories, is very bright and engaging, and I could've chatted all day with him.
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