Starbucks

This is one of my favorite Starbucks locations! The Baristas are super friendly and the drinks are always delicious.

First time here, close driving distance to and away from the beach.
Big location and a friendly service!
Plenty of tables and chairs to find a spot to nestle in! Super clean and modern.
Great coffee served here, thanks !

One of the best Starbucks in town! Ok, so they may be the only one in town, but that shouldn’t count against them. It’s a medium sized starbucks with lots of table and comfy seats so it’s a plus. Also the staff is super friendly here and we like their shift manager. We shop at the market across the street but we buy our bags of coffee here since they are always fresher and the price is pretty much the same. Also, this store seems to get cooler travel mugs than other stores I’ve been to lately. Scored a nice 16 oz drip proof one on sale the other week. Anyways, would highly recommend this location if you are looking to caffeine up or just socialize with some friends.

The other morning around 0700 they were terribly understaffed. 11 people had ordered and were waiting for drinks and there were 8 in line waiting to order and yet, there were only two people working. I overheard the customer in front of ask why and he was told the other baristas were on break. Really? Bad planning. At 7am we are workers with jobs to get to, not the 9am soccer moms. The remodel with the large table down the middle and blocking the register is just dumb.

Seriously, do yourself a favor and place a mobile order prior to coming here. This Starbucks is one of the busiest in the area and they never seem appropriately staffed for the insanely long line that is always out the door.

They refused my drink:
Venti black coffee blended with 2 packets of butter
I won’t be back.

Only bad experience I’ve had here was the day they were training a new barista on her first day, which is understandable. They even offered to comp my drink, which I declined.
All the baristas I’ve encountered are very friendly. They will remake your drink if it doesn’t suit your tastes (a common practice at most Starbucks stores). That being said, I usually visit in the evening, I cannot make any comments on the earlier shifts.
Other Unilocalers that rated this Starbucks one star seem to not comprehend how coffee shops work:
1) Maida, if your cup is not full to the brim, it’s to add cream and sugar at the condiment stand. Ask for no room next time.
2) Nicole, sign up for Starbucks Rewards to get discounts. A barista cannot rightfully charge you for a small if you order a large drink.
3) David, it’s a coffee shop, not your personal office. Looks to me like the newest design utilizes the space efficiently. What’s the corporate mentality? Providing a safe space where customers enjoy their food and drinks?
My only complaint is that they close early, but then again it’s Scotts Valley; the whole town is asleep by 8 p.m.

Everyone, including the people behind the counter, can make mistakes. I don’t nit-​pick when they mess up an order now and them. But my complaint is not about the good and friendly staff, it’s about the corporate mentality. I’ve been going to this particular Starbucks since it opened well over a decade ago and I’ve sat with my laptop and worked, quietly, enjoying my coffee, usually going back for more food and drink. They know me there and it’s been my happy haven for writing. But not anymore. The company decided to redesign the place, move the tables away from the walls (meaning power outlets) and create a very uncomfortable environment with sharp-​edged tables and chairs. No place to plug in means no sitting with a laptop for long. Heaven forbid a customer should overstay their welcome! Well, fear not Starbuck Corporation. Your rude and unwelcoming plan worked. I won’t be going to any Starbucks ever again. Time to start patronizing the privately own coffee shops.

I’ve been to this Starbucks plenty of times. I commute from SJ to Santa Cruz for work and usually like to get fresh coffee right before I start my early morning shift. I’ve been going here since it’s on my way and the closest to hwy 17. From my experience, I’ve been going here for quite awhile now and I have not gotten a good service. Every time I go, I end up waiting at least 15 – 20 minutes for my espresso or lattes. The barista that’s making the drinks in the morning, always looks like she hates her job. She doesn’t smile nor greet customers when handing drinks (the least she could do after takin a while on making the drinks). For all the times, I’ve been here, I haven’t been satisfied with my drinks. It’s either too sweet, cold, or only fill drinks half way of the size you bought!!! I don’t know why I still go here, maybe coz its conveniently next to the fwy? I started ordering a head of time through the new App on my phone, and yet I still wait for my drink.
Overall, after giving this place too many chances, I probably won’t be back here for a while. Waste of my money for a coffee that’s not even Starbucks standard rating.
I hope the manager of this location do something about this, because this place is a disgrace and making the reputation of Starbucks looks really bad!!!

I just moved to Scott’s Valley and was excited to live in a more simple town where people are kind to each other. Most of the baristas are really kind and remember my name, they even smile. I get it… It’s a hard job. I don’t expect unicorns and rainbows when I order my tea in the morning. I get a simple grande tea in a venti cup with one tea bag… easy enough. I used to go to a Starbucks in Los Gatos that only charged me for a tall… no biggle, very kind of them.
Upon moving and ordering my drink from the general manager I was told that they charge by the cup… ok, no argument but the way I was talked down to and treated like I was begging a discount really upset my day. I let it go and avoided the woman who was really unkind at 5:30 am. It happened again this morning, with a woman who never smiles. I didn’t ask for a discount, I just ordered my drink and she informed me in the most rude way that I need to pay full price. I’m not asking for a hand out… I want to order my drink with a hello and thank you and go about my day. I don’t need a lecture when I order my tea… It’s not what they said but how they said it. All of the other employees have been kind, so kind.
I don’t want anyone to get into trouble… I just want a nice experience when I walk into my new local coffee shop… I hope it gets nicer. If not I suppose I’ll drive just a little further to get a tea without a lecture.

Lady at cash register taking my order was extremely rude. Sorry I don’t speak Starbucks jerk. My drink was yucky and too hot. The tables outside filthy. Take a rag and clean them. Go to the peets instead.

I come here several times a week and have yet to have a very bad experience. The drinks are great, service is fast, and the employees are very nice. If you don’t like your drink, they’ll let you get a new one. Some of them know me by name. I’ll be coming here again and again for sure.

I just want to say I prefer this Starbucks over the one located on Mt. Hermon. The baristas at this location (Scotts Valley Dr.) are much more fun and pleasant. The other location looks annoyed half the time. This is my go to Starbucks in SLV.

A reliable, go to spot, for your Starbucks Americano. The workers are always super friendly, get the orders right every time, and the sink — in comfortable couches are what I wish I could have at home.

This is a commuter store and the last stop for coffee before you head over the hill. They seem to get really busy during rush hour. If you come in late for work while there is a line out the door I don’t really think you have your priorities in the right place… most employees are absolutely wonderful and make the best foam I have ever had!

It’s hard to rate a Starbucks very high from the get go due to their burnt roasted coffee, which they have tried to persuade Americans into believing as high quality Coffee. With that being said, there is no doubt there are taste buds out there that will think this is actually good Coffee, it’s kind of like high end Cigars that have «peppery» characteristics (Translation in the Cigar world, peppery = bitter and burnt) Some people just love that, and pay $ 20+ a stick for it. Go for it, guys!
Some may ask «Then why the hell do you go there sir?» a fair question, sometimes it’s just convenient and I can be lazy, now get off my back about it.
With all that out of the way, onto why I give this particular Sbux 1 star. Going here off and on since this location opened, lately it has just really went down hill. It was once one of the most unique ones you could visit, and that’s saying something because Starbucks try so hard to all be the same (And they looove diversity, hah!!!) Really ever since the College shut down, new management not as good as old, used to be open till 9pm, now 8pm, I understand it’s from low customer numbers but wow that one was annoying. The worst thing of all, the evening Barista’s just aren’t as friendly as they used to be, I’m almost made to feel like a stalker just asking them how the day is going. So sorry, I’ll go stalk elsewhere when I’m feeling lazy, thx.

Every time that I have gone to this Starbucks I have received fantastic service.

Just as great as any other Starbucks!
It’s a Starbucks and the drinks are the same as any other Starbucks in America, but the staff is super nice. I remember two separate times where another customer had accidentally taken my drink. I told one of the baristas and she immediately started my drink again and gave me a coupon for any sized drink for free. Very nice! :)

Plus one star was because of receiving a tasty drink. Now on with the other 3 that are missing:
I understand it’s Starbucks but I still expect to have a human on the other side of the register, who is not so programmed that they can’t understand words of the English language which are not on their menu.
This ONE lady, the only older lady who was working today, was very rude. Not only did she act like I was asking her to solve some complex problem instead of asking for a drink with half the flavor, she gave serious attitude from start to finish. I had to repeat what I was asking for 4 times!!!
When we went to grab our food, she snapped and told us «that’s not where you get your drinks.» Um, we were well aware and were waiting for our food so told her that and she continued the snappy behavior. I’ve been to this Starbucks before and service was fine but this one bad apple can ruin it for others.
Next time I’m in town I will drive a few minutes further down the road to Heathers, a locally owned drive thru nearby, where I know I will have a friendly face and good coffee.

Watery drip coffee :(
The location is convenient but feels a little like you’re on a road trip and stopping at a rest area.
Service is good and there is quite a bit of seating. Good thing because it gets packed in the morning.