Scotts Valley is a small city located approximately six miles north of Santa Cruz along the upland slopes of the Santa Cruz mountains in Santa Cruz County, California. The city is centered along Highway 17 which connects residents to the cities of Santa Cruz to the south and San Jose to the north. Scotts Valley is surrounded by towering redwood trees in various nature preserves. The forested areas of the region and the proximity to the ocean provide a Mediterranean climate with cold and wet winters and dry summers. The city has excellent hotels and various tourist-friendly attractions that are close to the city of Santa Cruz and the many outdoor recreational facilities and hiking trails in the Santa Cruz mountains.