Santa Cruz Hwy, Scotts Valley
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Great for
- Clean & Green
- Schools
- Parks & Recreation
- Peace & Quiet
Not great for
- Cost of Living
- Lack of Traffic
Who lives here?
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Beach Lovers
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Reviews
Santa Cruz Hwy
rating details
2yrs+
- Clean & Green
- Peace & Quiet
- Parks & Recreation
- Lack of Traffic
- Cost of Living
- Schools
"They Don't Make it Easy..."
Highway 17 is just about the only way to get from Silicon Valley to Santa Cruz, and the Scotts Valley section is at the tail end (or beginning end, depending on where you are coming from) of the roller coaster ride. The redwood trees are lovely but provide a canopy that does not allow you to see too far ahead, making this a very accident-prone drive for many, given the volume of people who drive through.
If you do make this trek, do not leave Santa Cruz or Scotts Valley early in the morning on a weekday to drive into the Valley, as you will be competing with commuters all morning long. Likewise, driving back in the evening provides an equivalent challenge in the opposite direction. However, I have never had any problems doing the reverse commute.
This is just as twisting and winding as any Northern California redwood road. Best of luck, and be careful!
If you do make this trek, do not leave Santa Cruz or Scotts Valley early in the morning on a weekday to drive into the Valley, as you will be competing with commuters all morning long. Likewise, driving back in the evening provides an equivalent challenge in the opposite direction. However, I have never had any problems doing the reverse commute.
This is just as twisting and winding as any Northern California redwood road. Best of luck, and be careful!
Pros
- Pretty
- Only two-lane highway over the Santa Cruz Mountains
- Near the beach
Cons
- Traffic
- Can be dangerous to drive on
Recommended for
- Professionals
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Beach Lovers