WHERE TO STAY IN SCOTTS VALLEY

Set amidst redwood forests, yet minutes from the coast, Scotts Valley offers an ideal base for exploring Santa Cruz County. Named for 1850s settler Hiram Scott, the cozy town is steps from majestic redwood trails, and fifteen minutes to major attractions such as the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp Railroads. Check into the following hotels, and you can pack both your hiking shoes and boogie board!

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON SCOTTS VALLEY

Opened in December 2018, this stylish property features 128 contemporary rooms and suites with a sleek design and a soothing, natural color palette. Highlights include free WiFi and a full-service restaurant and lounge that serves up crowd-pleasing faves, classic cocktails, and local brews on tap. Dining extends to an outdoor patio with lounge seating, fire pit, and babbling creek. Plus, a compact, the in-house market offers grab-and-go snacks and other essentials. The hotel features a signature Best Brews & BBQTM program offering refreshing local craft beers and seasonal BBQ-style appetizers. Best Brews provides guests with the opportunity to sample craft beers and enjoy authentic local flavors at the hotel pub Fifty Thirty, where each brew is strategically chosen for its unique flavor, popularity and quality ingredients. Two conference rooms offer a good place to gather the group, and a fully-equipped fitness center ensures you get your Fitbit steps in while on the road. Or, simply head outside where the redwood trails of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park are just ten minutes away.

HILTON SANTA CRUZ/SCOTTS VALLEY

With a grand lobby and forested setting, this lodge-like property feels like a modern mountain retreat. The exceeding pet and family-friendly property features 178 rooms and 22 suites, all with free WiFi, and a handful with outdoor balconies—spring for a room with vistas of the surrounding forest. The all-day Stonehouse Bar and Grill dishes up breakfast and lunch staples, and, during the evening, shareable plates such as crab cake sliders, steak quesadillas, and an artichoke and-feta-studded flatbread. Remember your swimwear for the outdoor, heated pool with sweeping views of redwood forests. Golfers will want to bring their clubs for the legendary Alister MacKenzie-designed course at Pasatiempo Golf Club less than ten minutes away. Wedding planners take note: the property includes a scenic outdoor veranda where you can recite your vows, and an adjacent ballroom to whoop it up.

BEST WESTERN PLUS SCOTTS VALLEY INN

This 58-room property packs in a lot of perks in its compact size. Newly remodeled rooms sport plush new beds as well as refrigerators, coffee-makers, and AC. Mornings begin with a fully stocked, complimentary breakfast counter with DIY waffles, eggs & potatoes, and continental staples such as yogurt, muffins, and bagels. Plus, a fitness room and business center have your work and fitness needs covered. After a day exploring nearby attractions, wind down in the outdoor heated pool and hot tub.

Looking for things to do in Scotts Valley? Check our site for fun ideas and activities, and start building your itinerary! Or take a look at this video itinerary and see the sights yourself.