Location: Scotts Valley
Top Restaurants in 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
Where to Eat in Scotts Valley: The Best Restaurants and Bars
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.
Things to do in Scotts Valley
1. Auntie Mame's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By TravelFamily2015 - San Carlos, California
We were visiting Scotts Valley and needed a quick breakfast, so we decided to try out Auntie Mame's. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch and has indoor and outdoor seating. We ate there on Memorial Day Weekend and the restaurant was crowded, but we did not have to wait.
When we arrived, a friendly host brought us to our seat. The space is relatively small, but they have many tables packed in. Our waiter informed us of the daily specials, which were also written on two whiteboards, and got us started with drinks. The orange juice is really good!
We ordered an Avocado Benedict and a side of fruit, toast, and hash browns. The food came quickly. The eggs benedict tasted great. We really enjoyed the fruit salad, too. Most fruit salads usually just contain bananas, strawberries, and grapes, but this once also had kiwis, apples, and pears! The hash browns and toast tasted okay.
Our waiter was very friendly and helpful and the food was not too expensive. We really liked the atmosphere of Auntie Mame's. There are pictures all over the restaurant's walls and some of the tables have a view of Mount Hermon Road. We would recommend trying one of the restaurant's eggs benedicts. Auntie Mame's serves good food in a nice setting, and at a reasonable price. We will likely be back when we are visiting Scotts Valley again!
2. Marianne's Ice Cream
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 468 reviews
Reviewed By Ammie3 - Santa Cruz, California
Best Ice Cream ever! I grew up here...this shop has had the best Ice Cream since they opened....never a bad scoop. Since it's no secret, you may have to,wait to get yours, but it's worth it!
3. Coffee Cat
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By CarlyK6789 - Woodinville, Washington
Coffee Cat is a favorite coffee shop of mine. It's where I go with my good friends to chill out.
There's a good selection of food here, some delicious specialty sandwich items, salads, desserts and bagels.
The coffee is good. I like the mochas here because they are light, not too heavy on the chocolate and they make pretty leaf patterns in the froth.
Service is friendly. If you order food, be prepared to wait a bit for them to warm it up.
Free wifi, so you see a lot of people on their computers here. There's ample seating including tables, big arm chairs, banquette seating along one wall, and one large table toward the back of the dining room.
This shop is located in a strip mall on Mount Hermon Road. It's convenient to the Safeway grocery store and a lot of smaller businesses.
4. Cutesy Cupcakes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, California
I purchased some holiday cupcakes decorated with holly and gingerbread boys The raspberry cheesecake ones were decorated with a raspberry. They are so pretty. The gingerbread boys one were gingerbread tasting.
Service was good. There were several types I will have to look at trying next time.
They also have a cupcake truck I did some shopping after my purchases at Cutesy Cupcake. I smiled when I saw the truck van in front of me on highway 17 on the drive home was Cutesy Cupcake truck.
They also sell yogurt.
5. House of Bagels
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By CarlyK6789 - Woodinville, Washington
This is a small bagel shop and bagel bakery located next to Nob Hill Foods in Kings
Village Shopping Center.
Pros: Good bagel sandwiches, friendly staff, convenient spot in Kings Valley Shopping Center, a quiet courtyard outside with tables, lower prices than expected. (I paid $6 for a sandwich and was expecting to pay $9.)
Cons: The restaurant is very small, has a few tables inside and outside. The tables are next to refrigerated cases full of all kinds of beverages and spreads, so you have no room to move. The line for the ordering window/cash register is next to the counter where you get chips and cream/sugar for your coffee. The service is slow, even when you are the only one in line. They sometimes run out of the type of bagels, chips and beverages that you want.
I see this as a place to buy lunch or dinner to go. I can't give it four stars because of the slow service and disorganized space which makes it unpleasant to order and pay for your items. Lots of potential to be a local hot spot, though. I would create a community bulletin board for all the event posters, create a lunch counter along one window and remove one or two of the refrigerated cases. A little attention to color and lighting, the right fixtures and more of a theme to the decor and you have a great little bagel spot. The glass bakery case could be eliminated and a better menu
display put in place. Service needs to be streamlined with a more specific ordering system so it can deliver food much more quickly.
I hope these friendly owners continue to grow and develop their vision and their business. I want to see them succeed. The food is really good.
6. Otoro Sushi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By unclefam - Santa Cruz, California
Otoro Sushi has always been my "go to" place for sushi in Scotts Valley. Went there Thursday evening and it was packed: generally a good sign.
Unfortunately, they seem to have taken advantage of their popularity by sliding somewhat. All the portions were smaller. They used to have a great salad, but this was smaller, and the size of the Nigiri sushi was also smaller. We ordered a Spider Roll, and it came about 1/2 the size we expected.
The quality of the fish is good, but it is also at the other Sushi restaurants in Scotts Valley.
I probably won't be back.
7. Surf City Coffee
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By CarlyK6789 - Woodinville, Washington
A charming little spot with a surfing theme and some really good coffee and bakery items. There is a small selection of sandwiches, salads and bagels.
I was greeted warmly and had good service. The coffee is good. I had a mocha with a generous amount of whipped cream--the most I've ever had on a coffee drink. It wasn't too strong and the chocolate flavoring was just the right amount.
Large selection of bakery items: apple turnovers, Rice Krispie bars, cookies, muffins and the like.
Try the daily trivia question. (The energy from a one day hurricane is enough to supply the entire US for how long?)
There are four small tables, some counter seating at a long window and two large club chairs in the corner. Colorful potted plants and a few personal touches make this a great place for a snack and a good conversation with your best friend.
surfcitycoffee.com has more info
This cute little place is located in a strip mall at the intersection of La Madrona Drive and Mount Hermon Road. It is located just before the entrance ramp to south Highway 17. From south Mount Hermon Road, take a right onto La Madrona Drive and a quick left into the parking lot of the strip mall.
8. Baskin-Robbins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Michael G - Clearwater, Florida
I didn't have any issues with this Baskin-Robbins. We went as a before-dinner dessert. I got a cup of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and enjoyed it. Baskin-Robbins has some of my favorite ice cream. The lady working there was nice. We were able to quickly pay, eat, and be on our way. Like I said, no issues, no complaints - just your typical Baskin-Robbins.
9. Cafe Carlos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By nicolegall - Los Gatos, California
The food is just fantastic, the prices can't be beat for the quality and the service ....if there was a service contest, these guys would win it hands down every time! I saw Carlos and his staff of 2- take care of 10 tables last night like they were on roller skates! This old school, customer service with a smile and catering to your every need to make sure you are happy and enjoy the meal makes it like you are having dinner at your Abuelos House! Truly the BEST Restaurant in all of ScottsValley!
10. Peets Coffee and Tea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By CarlyK6789 - Woodinville, Washington
This coffee shop is located off of Mount Hermon Road near the Walgreen's in King's Village Shopping Center.
I have had some really good hot coffee drinks here. They have a wonderful hot drink called Sea Salt Caramel Mocha which is great as a dessert drink. The mochas are chocolatey and rich.
Typical coffee shop fare with bakery items, salads and sandwiches.
The service is very good. The servers will give you some good suggestions on the drinks.
Peets has a contemporary feel to it. There's a nice smaller sitting area with booths and tables. Free WiFi. There are also some outdoor tables and sun umbrellas.
My only complaint about this store is that I can't always find a place to park or sit.
