$1,368,455Average Value$670Average Price per Sq Ft27Homes For Sale
Scotts Valley: A small oceanside city on the California coast
In the 1960s, Scotts Valley was a mecca of the counterculture—or flower power—movement, which promoted peace and love over violence and war. Back then, nearby Santa Cruz was home to the Barn, a hippie nightclub and art gallery where well-known artists like Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead performed. The city is today known for its slower pace of life compared to Santa Cruz and San Jose, which is 26 miles north. “It’s an attractive area because it’s about ten minutes from the beach, but it’s set far enough from the coast so that you still get that warm climate,” says Tarra LeDoux, a Realtor with Strock Real Estate, who was born and raised in the area. “It’s a very cool and interesting part of Santa Cruz County.”
The city has about 12,000 residents, a figure that has remained relatively stable over the past couple of decades. It’s an attractive spot for retirees and commuters to tech companies in Silicon Valley, LeDoux says. The median household income is about $150,000, higher than the national median of $80,000, and top companies include Bay Photo headquarters, the Canepa Museum and Fox Racing. Scotts Valley is also known as the birthplace of Netflix, founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in 1997.
Scotts Valley provides a slower pace near bustling Santa Cruz and San Jose.
Canepa in Scotts Valley features iconic race cars and pristine restorations.
Bay Photo in Scotts Valley is known for high-quality photo prints and wall displays.
Fox Factory in Scotts Valley is a leader in high-performance suspension technology.
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A high-end housing market
The median home price is $1.4 million, higher than the national median of $420,000. Home styles range from one-story traditional homes to custom two-story properties with Victorian features. Tall valley oak trees and small bushes surround most homes, which sit on hilly streets and driveways. Properties stay on the market for an average of 32 days, compared to 45 days nationally.
This ranch-style home in Scotts Valley offers classic charm and open living space.
Steep gables and ornate trim define this Scotts Valley Victorian Gothic Revival home.
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The well-regarded Scotts Valley Unified School District
The Scotts Valley Unified School District earns an A-minus from Niche. It’s considered the second-best school district in the county by Niche, and serves over 2,000 students. Scotts Valley High School, rated A by Niche, opened a mental health wellness center in January 2025. The city’s private schools include Baymonte Christian School, a K-8 institution, and Pacific Sands, which teaches K-12. The University of California, Santa Cruz, is a public college nearby. Local places of worship include St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church and Scotts Valley Vineyard Church.
Baymonte Christian School in Scotts Valley offers a strong faith-based education.
Scotts Valley Middle School fosters academic excellence.
Scotts Valley High School excels in Santa Cruz education.
The University of California Santa Cruz is a top public college near Scotts Valley.
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Hanging out at Hocus Pocus Park
Skypark is the city’s largest green space and includes a playground, a skatepark, open grassy fields and a bocce ball court. The park is a hub for community events like the Fourth of July fireworks show and annual summertime concerts. Small pocket parks include Vern Hart Park and Hocus Pocus Park; Glenwood Open Space Preserve is a popular hiking spot in the city’s northern corner. The nearest golf course is Pasatiempo Golf Course, a semi-private, 18-hole course. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is nearby, offering a walkable area with amusement rides and restaurants on the beach.
Vern Hart Park in Scotts Valley offers a peaceful escape with open green spaces.
Skypark in Scotts Valley hosts concerts, festivals, and family-friendly events year-round.
Hocus Pocus Park in Scotts Valley offers a whimsical escape for all ages.
Pasatiempo Golf Course offers scenic 18-hole play near Scotts Valley.
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Cozy mornings at Auntie Mame’s
The Scotts Village Shopping Center has a Safeway, Target and a Dollar Tree. Auntie Mame’s a comfy mom-and-pop breakfast spot with bouquets on every table. The Kings Village Shopping Center houses plenty of stores and Bruno’s Bar and Grill, an American restaurant with pool tables, ping-pong and trivia nights. CineLux Scotts Valley Café & Lounge, the local movie theatre, also sits in the center.
Scotts Valley’s Auntie Mame’s is a cozy breakfast spot known for its welcoming charm.
Bruno’s Bar and Grill in Scotts Valley serves classic American favorites with a local twist.
CineLux Scotts Valley Café & Lounge offers a cozy movie experience in Scotts Valley.
Safeway in Scotts Valley is known for its fresh produce and organic selections.
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Commuting on California State Route 17
California State Route 17 is a major north-south freeway running through Scotts Valley. The Santa Cruz Metro has a public bus service that helps commuters reach Santa Cruz and San Jose. The San Jose Mineta International Airport is 27 miles away.
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Scotts Valley Police Department has reported that property and violent crime have stayed stagnant over the past few years. The Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital is the nearest 24-hour medical center, 7 miles south.
A Mediterranean climate with moderate winters
The city has a temperate Mediterranean climate with hot summers and moderate winters. While Scotts Valley hasn’t experienced a wildfire since 1984, the area has a Wildfire Season from April to October. California has a low tornado risk, but Scotts Valley did experience a rare tornado in December 2024.
Written By
Chloe Hawkins
Photography Contributed By
Elie Karam
Video By
Melinda Anselmo
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Pete Flores,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Scotts Valley, CA sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Scotts Valley, CA over the last 12 months is $1,312,500, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
"Montevalle's Finest" & Most Rare Single Level 2019 Luxury Home of Your Dreams ! This "Hallmark" Beauty, located on .31 acre private garden lot at end of cul-de-sac -no neighbors behind, so rare for the highly desirable Country Club-like 55/45 community! Separate 2 Car Garage/workspace with Deep Paved Driveway. This custom home boasts 1987 Square feet of luxury ! No stairs required to enter or
Amazing price!. Don't miss out on this lovely Spring lakes home where every day feels like a vacation. This beautifully updated, one-of-a-kind home offers spacious, light-filled living on an exceptionally large lot just steps from the clubhouse, pool and community activities. The remodeled kitchen features abundant cabinetry, generous counter space, and is designed for both everyday living and
Amazing country feeling in Scotts Valley yet only one mile from highway 17 sits this single level home with natural beauty and sun filled acreage. Upon pulling into your driveway your eyes take in the flat usable land, garden areas galore, and large redwood trees creating privacy from your neighbors. Upon entering your home, you notice the large living room complete with picturesque windows, wood
Motivated seller. This extraordinary retreat delivers a rare balance of privacy, beauty, and access. Perched above the treetops with breathtaking 40-mile views, the home lives in harmony with its natural surroundings, offering a true sense of escape just minutes from Highway 17. Expansive picture windows flood the interiors with light and frame sweeping redwood and ridgeline vistas, creating a
Shawndy Linquist
Compass
(831) 291-5473
$499,000
Land
2.13 Acres Lot
Ready to create your dream home in a truly special setting? You seem a world away in this rare 2+ acre offering in the foothills of Scotts Valley. This is an exceptional opportunity to build in the sought-after Apple Valley area. The elevated buildable portion is flat, sunny, and ideally positioned to capture gorgeous valley views, while a stunning redwood grove to the rear creates a serene
Fresh, inviting, and made for enjoying the best of Scotts Valley living, this home offers comfortable living inside and a backyard that truly steals the show. Brand-new flooring and fresh interior paint give the home a clean, updated feel from the moment you walk in. The primary bedroom opens directly onto a newer Trex deck, creating an easy indoor-outdoor connection and a peaceful place to start
Welcome to this enchanting Redwood Forest property completely rebuilt in 2005, totaling 3609 sqft of permitted living space. Enjoy life in this 4 bd / 3.5 ba, 5 car garage, Victorian-inspired home nestled in a peaceful landscape of majestic trees and fragrant flowers. Whether admiring the gables, balcony with beautiful columns, or enjoying the view from a handcrafted, storybook treehouse,
Absolutely stunning home tucked away at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac, its striking curb appeal immediately tells you this is something special. Inside, you'll find a light-filled floor plan with soaring vaulted ceilings, skylights, large windows, & beautiful new flooring that complements any style. The spacious living room flows into a separate family room, dining area, & an impressive
2800 Lockhart Gulch offers a rare opportunity to own an exceptional private estate in the heart of Scotts Valley. Set behind gates on approximately 35 acres of rolling meadows and majestic redwood groves, this one-of-a-kind property combines usable land, natural beauty, and close-in convenience just minutes from town. The 3,597 SF main residence features 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms with a
Built just 6 years ago, this beautifully designed End-Unit Townhome is one of only a few in the development with an oversized yard space! The versatile floor plan offers a separate Family Room on the first floor that can easily function as a private office or 4th bedroom. High ceilings and abundant windowsfill the home with natural light throughout. The open-concept second floor is ideal for
Completed in 2025, this exceptional estate offers the perfect balance of modern luxury, usable land, and convenience just minutes from Scotts Valley schools, shopping, dining, parks, and commuter routes. Set on 4.61 sun-filled acres with mountain views, this home features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a thoughtfully designed floor plan for comfortable everyday living and entertaining. Walls of
Escape to over 2 private, sun-drenched acres in this rare Scotts Valley compound, framed by towering redwoods and stunning mountain views. This premier property features a main home with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and an attached 2-car garage, plus a fully detached 2-car garage with a 1-bedroom ADU above- perfect for extended family, guests, or rental income. Inside, soaring vaulted ceilings
Welcome to this incredible home situated on a spacious corner lot with some of the best views Scotts Valley has to offer. Soaring ceilings and abundant natural light create a bright, open feel that truly brings the outdoors in. Enjoy a beautiful wraparound deck with ample space for entertaining, along with an updated kitchen featuring quartz countertops, refinished cabinetry, stainless steel
Welcome to Willowbend at Sandraya Heights, where luxury, craftsmanship, and location come together in one of Scotts Valleys most sought-after neighborhoods. Enjoy walk-able access to award-winning trails, top-rated schools, local wine tasting rooms, and an acclaimed brewery, all just minutes from the beach. This exceptional 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home showcases soaring vaulted ceilings, elegant
Located in beautiful Scotts Valley, California, our apartment community offers a vibrant small town atmosphere, but is only ten minutes to world class surfing in Santa Cruz or twenty minutes to the innovation capital of the world in Silicon Valley. We know you'll love our elegant architecture and floor plans, spectacular woodland views, pool and fitness center, award winning schools, and
Property Id: 1465719 103 San Augustine Way, #1 is updated and will be available October 1. Unit features a nice size living room, a good size primary bedroom and another smaller bedroom opens to a large paver patio and synthetic turf area in the backyard, completely fenced in. Nice kitchen, stainless refrigerator, electric stove, and good size eating area, and large living room. Laundry
Looking for a peaceful and private place to call home? This charming cabin suite with a loft is tucked away on a quiet street, just 5 minutes from Hwy 17 — perfect for commuters who want easy access to Santa Cruz or Silicon Valley while enjoying the serenity of nature.Beautiful open-concept suite with a cozy sleeping loftAssigned Private parking spaceExtra storage
Welcome home to this beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home in desirable Scotts Valley. This home offers the perfect blend of comfort, space, and convenience, featuring an attached 2-car garage and a generously sized front and back yard, ideal for entertaining, gardening, pets, or kids to play. Inside, you'll find a functional layout along with the added convenience of
This 2 Bedroom/1 Bath apartment offers fresh paint and new carpet throughout. This reversed floor plan home has living area, with a electric heater and a kitchen on the top floor. Kitchen equipped with full size fridge, 2 burner cook-top and oven. Upon Entry at the lower level; you will find 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom with shower stall and a laundry area with washer & dryer hook-ups. Easy freeway
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