Scotts Valley, CA

Scotts Valley straddles Highway 17 between Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz, serving as the main mountain crossing for both commuters and beach traffic. Take I-280 or US 101 south to Highway 17 for the winding 15-mile drive through redwood forests, or approach from Santa Cruz via a straight 12-mile route north. The town sits at 550 feet elevation with a Mediterranean climate and several EV charging stations for the mountain crossing. It's home to NHS Inc., the world's first successful skateboard company, still operating from its 1973 location.