The Mystery Spot — Attraction in Scotts Valley

Nestled amidst the towering redwoods of Santa Cruz, the Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly that defies explanation, captivating the imagination of visitors young and old. This peculiar destination offers a one-of-a-kind experience that leaves you questioning the laws of physics and embracing the joy of the unknown.

Enigmatic Phenomenon: From the moment you step onto the forested grounds, the Mystery Spot lives up to its name. Guided by charismatic hosts, visitors are treated to mind-bending demonstrations where the laws of gravity seem to bend, creating a whimsical and entertaining spectacle.

Surreal Optical Illusions: The Mystery Spot's tilted cabins and gravity-defying demonstrations create a surreal visual experience. Each optical illusion is expertly crafted, leaving guests delightfully bewildered as they witness balls rolling uphill and individuals seemingly defying the laws of balance.

Engaging and Entertaining Guides: The guides at the Mystery Spot are not only knowledgeable but also fantastic entertainers. Their witty commentary and interactive presentations add an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience, creating a lighthearted and fun atmosphere throughout the tour.

Woodland Ambiance: Surrounded by towering redwoods, the Mystery Spot is not just a gravitational enigma; it's a natural haven. The forested setting adds to the charm of the experience, providing a serene backdrop to the mind-bending illusions.

Perfect for All Ages: The Mystery Spot caters to a diverse audience, making it a perfect destination for families, friends, and solo adventurers. The interactive nature of the tour ensures that everyone, from the curious child to the skeptical adult, finds delight in the mysterious happenings.

Photo Opportunities Galore: The Mystery Spot offers a plethora of photo opportunities. Whether capturing the optical illusions, posing with the tilted cabins, or joining in the playful antics of the guides, every moment is a snapshot of the enchanting experience.

Nostalgia and Timelessness: For many, the Mystery Spot is a nostalgic destination that transcends generations. Its enduring popularity speaks to the timeless appeal of the mysterious phenomena and the joy derived from sharing this unique experience with others.

Reservations Recommended: Given its popularity, especially during peak seasons, making reservations for a tour at the Mystery Spot is advisable. This ensures a seamless and timely entry into this world of wonder.

Conclusion: The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz is not just a tourist attraction; it's a portal to a world where reality takes a delightful detour. With its engaging guides, mind-bending illusions, and enchanting woodland setting, the Mystery Spot offers a whimsical escape that sparks curiosity and leaves visitors with a sense of wonder. It's a gravitational anomaly that defies explanation and beckons all to embrace the magic of...

It's an interesting spot some miles inside the forest, off Freeway 17 en route to Santa Cruze. I'm not sure whether the spot marked (by someone) on Google maps quite accurately marks the spot since satellite imagery doesn't quite match up to what I saw (parking spaces, approach roads, etc), but yes, it's 'round about there and following navigation cues will get one to The Mystery Spot. Access is by personal vehicle as I doubt if public transport is available to get there.

Entry is $10 per head, $5 for parking. Wasn't a very busy or crowded the day I went, and tickets are available online as well as on-site. Weekends might be busy and it might be a better idea to book online before getting there.

Overall, the experience is fun. It's a half-hour guided 'tour' around the spot, and it's the guide who makes this experience fun. (Without a guide one won't be able to make sense of the place - there is no 'unguided' access anyway). A small place, a single cabin, but what makes it really interesting is that the extremely tilted position of the hut with respect to its surroundings combined with the steep gradient of the ground (hill side) creates a big optical illusion that messes with the brain...the tilted stance (remember Michael Jackson?), the apparent ease with which one can climb up the cabin walls vertically, the easy 'Titanic-pose' and so on. Interestingly, people of various heights appear to have a change in their relative heights when their sequence of standing together is shuffled. Very cleverly demonstrated by the tour guide. The perspectives between the surroundings, the extreme gradient of the ground and the building play these 'nasty tricks 😆 on the mind. Such is the strength of the illusion, many people do feel giddy. The tour guide weaves interesting stories and makes the whole thing seem magical and mystical - and that's the fun of it.

At the 'foothills' is a nice souvenir shop and a fast foot outlet. All in all a...

We went to the Mystery Spot a few weeks ago while driving along the coast of California. It was a quick trip and we wanted to see some Redwoods. We chose the Mystery Spot because it was along the Redwoods and seemed like a unique and short stop. This attraction did not disappoint. Although the drive to the entrance is a little off road, once you arrive, you are welcomed by a vibrant sign and gift shop. We bought tickets in advance and arrived early so we explored the waiting area and gift shop before our tour time. The area had a squish penny machine which is one of the many items we collect, but sadly it only took bills instead of quarters. Luckily, the employees in the gift shop were more than willing to exchange our coins for bills so we could memorialize our time there. The tour started very promptly, and many of the future tours were sold out for that day so we recommend getting tickets in advance. Our tour guide Mo was entertaining and exciting. My girlfriend thought it was cheesy at first, but our guide made it fun for the children and adults, changing her mind by interacting with everyone. Throughout the tour, Mo engaged the audience doing demonstrations and making tree puns to make the history fun. Our group had a lot of children in it, but he made sure that even the adults could have their fun. We gave the kids more space to allow them to interact with all the attractions. During this time, Mo would chat with everyone to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. When we wanted to take photos, he transitioned everyone to the next demonstration giving us extra time. The only downside was the Redwood trees there are very young so they weren’t very big. We would highly recommend making the trip to the Mystery Spot when in the area. If you can get Mo as your tour guide, that...