Felton

PROS:
Felton is a beautiful little mountain town in the mouth of the San Lorenzo Valley. It is surrounded by the Santa Cruz mountains and redwood trees are abundant. The fog rolls in and out over the treetops and it is stunning. In fact, I would say that the views and the outdoor recreation are entirely what brings people to Felton. It boasts miles of redwood hiking trails in Henry Cowell Redwoods and the Fall Creek Division, and at nearby Big Basin State Park. There are also hiking trails and beaches only 20 minutes away in Santa Cruz, Bonny Doon, and Wilder Ranch State Historic Park. There is horseback riding at Quail Hollow, and old-fashioned train rides through the redwoods at Roaring Camp Railroads. There are opportunities for family camp and hearing speakers, taking hikes, wading by a waterfall, soaring on a zip-line or climbing through the treetops on the high ropes coarse all at Mount Hermon Christian Camps and Conference Center right in Felton. Felton has some good cafes (The White Raven) and restaurants, but is only 5 minutes away from cute mountain towns of Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek, where you can find even more innovative restaurants and breweries and shops. The schools are amazing; the middle school has been put on the National Forum of Schools To Watch. The high school boasts winning sports teams, and will soon have a newly-finished theatre arts building. For more shopping and dining options, it is an easy 10-minute drive to Scotts Valley, which is also in the mountains but is more of a suburban community, and then of course, there is Santa Cruz just down highway 17 or Graham Hill Road.
CONS:
Felton is surrounded with the sound of traffic because everyone coming or going from the San Lorenzo Valley comes through Felton, on one of two major mountain roads: Graham Hill Road or Mount Hermon Road. There is also the lesser-used Hwy 9 (very winding and narrow). You have to live a bit off the road to get away from the sound of cars, however it is perfect if you want the beauty of nature without having to live far away from civilization. Also, out of the nearby mountain towns, Felton has the most homeless and mentally ill people living here (I believe in a halfway house), hanging out in the park, and utilizing the public transportation. They tend to stay in groups or keep to themselves, but if you have kids and are just wanting to hang out at the park or take a walk in town, it can feel a bit unnerving when they are talking loudly to themselves or acting erratically. Most people who live here use the hiking trails and other outdoor options rather than the park in the center of town anyway, but it is a shame that it doesn't feel more safe. There aren't many opportunities for work here but Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz are nearby. The cost of housing is high and there are almost never any vacancies, so waiting for that perfect home does take time, but overall I think it is definitely worth living here because of the absolute beauty and the charm of the surrounding area.