Scott Creek (Santa Cruz County)

Scott Creek, also called Scotts Creek, is a 12.2mi stream and surfspot in Santa Cruz County, California. It is a few miles north of Davenport and a few miles south of Waddell Creek.HistoryThe first European land exploration of Alta California, the Spanish Portolà expedition, traveled along the coast on its way north, and again on the return. The party camped on the hill above the confluence of Scott Creek and Molino Creek - in sight of the beach - on October 19, 1769. On the return journey to San Diego, the party camped at the same location on November 20. Franciscan missionary Juan Crespi noted in his diary, "At the foot of the hill run two very copious streams, one to the right and the other to the left."Scott Creek is named for Hiram Scott, who in 1852 bought part of the Rancho Agua Puerca y las Trancas. Scott, for whom Scotts Valley is also named, bought Rancho San Agustin (now Scotts Valley) in the same year.WatershedScott Creek is a small coastal California watershed draining approximately 75sqmi. It empties into the Pacific Ocean 80km south of San Francisco. Large waterfalls form impassable barriers on each of the main tributaries.