Santa Cruz County
Scotts Valley
A fast Bay Area commute option from Santa Cruz County, with strong schools and a suburban feel surrounded by redwoods.
Living in Scotts Valley
Scotts Valley is a family-friendly community nestled in the redwoods between Santa Cruz and Los Gatos. The area offers excellent schools, a lower cost of living compared to coastal areas, and a short commute to the Bay Area via Highway 17. It's popular among tech workers seeking a balance between mountain living and career opportunities.
What We Love
- 01 Top-rated schools in the county
- 02 Redwood forest setting
- 03 Shorter commute to the Bay Area
- 04 Family-friendly community
- 05 Skypark and outdoor recreation
Education
Schools in Scotts Valley
Ratings for every public and private school, from GreatSchools and Niche.
Public
GreatSchools
| School | GreatSchools rating |
|---|---|
| Scotts Valley High High | |
| Brook Knoll Elementary Elementary | |
| Scotts Valley Middle Middle | |
| Vine Hill Elementary Elementary | |
Private
Niche
| School | Niche grade |
|---|---|
| Baymonte Christian School Private · PK-8 | |
Getting to Work
Commute from Scotts Valley to the Bay Area
Rush-hour drive times on Highway 17 to Bay Area tech hubs.
| Employers | Peak drive time |
|---|---|
   Netflix, Adobe, Zoom +5 more Los Gatos to San Jose, Santa Clara | 30-50 min |
   Apple, Amazon, Google +2 more Cupertino to Menlo Park, Sunnyvale, Mountain View | 35-55 min |
 Salesforce San Francisco | 1h 31m |
24 notable spots
Around Scotts Valley
Beaches, trails, markets, and places to eat, all within reach. Distances measured from Skypark .
Beaches
6.2 mi, 15-min drive
- Twin Lakes State Beach 6.4 mi
- Natural Bridges State Beach 7.1 mi
- Santa Cruz Beach 6.1 mi
Surf Spots
Parks & Trails
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
2 mi, 10-min bike ride
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park 14.5 mi
- Lodato Park 1.4 mi
- Redwood Grove Loop Trail 1.9 mi
Recreation
0.2 mi, 4-min walk
- Enterprise Sports Club 2 mi
- Scotts Valley Community Center 0.2 mi
- Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club 10.1 mi
Grocery & Markets
0.4 mi, 8-min walk
- Scotts Valley Market 1.5 mi
- Trader Joe's 5.3 mi
- Whole Foods 5.1 mi
Shopping & Dining
0.4 mi, 8-min walk
- The Redwood Sandwich Co 0.6 mi
- Rumble Fish 0.9 mi
- Cruise Coffee Cafe 0.2 mi
Common Questions
What buyers ask about Scotts Valley
- Why do tech workers choose Scotts Valley?
- Scotts Valley offers the shortest commute to the Bay Area of any Santa Cruz County location (35-45 minutes), excellent schools, more affordable housing, and a peaceful redwood forest setting.
- What are the schools like in Scotts Valley?
- Scotts Valley has some of the highest-rated schools in Santa Cruz County. Vine Hill Elementary and Scotts Valley High anchor one of the strongest K-12 pipelines in the region.
Dive Deeper
Keep Exploring
Everything we know about Scotts Valley, organized by what matters to you.
Comparisons
One Message Away
Tell me what you're looking for. I'm quick to respond.
Message received!
Thanks! I'll be in touch shortly.