Visitors really like Santa Cruz, especially its entertainment and beaches. Enjoy outdoor activities like camping and biking. Top attractions include Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. While you're here, make time to enjoy other sights such as Monterey Bay.
B&B in Santa Cruz
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Sep 18 - Sep 20In two weeks
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Nov 6 - Nov 8B&B in Santa Cruz
$191
$217 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 23 - Sep 24
$209
$238 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 23 - Sep 24
$250
$340 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 14 - Sep 15
Top neighborhoods in Santa Cruz
Downtown Santa Cruz
Downtown Santa Cruz pulses with artistic energy and laid-back surf vibes along the pedestrian-friendly Pacific Avenue. Street musicians serenade shoppers while colorful murals brighten historic Victorian buildings. Bookworms browse indie shops before catching films at the vintage Del Mar Theatre, all within walking distance of the famous Beach Boardwalk. Farm-to-table restaurants and quirky cafes dot the tree-lined streets where locals and visitors mingle freely. Most accommodations feature boutique hotels and charming B&Bs in historic buildings, perfectly positioned for car-free exploration of both downtown and nearby beaches.
Photo by Dawn Madden
Photo by Dawn Madden
Photo by Janet Chang
Photo by Dawn Madden
Photo by Dawn Madden
Seabright
Seabright's sun-kissed shoreline beckons with golden sands stretching between Santa Cruz Harbor and the iconic Beach Boardwalk. Families splash in the calm waters of Harbor Beach while adventurous types catch waves at Seabright Beach. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History offers a fascinating glimpse into coastal ecology when you need a break from the sun. Local cafes serve fresh seafood with ocean views just steps from charming beach cottages and vacation rentals. The neighborhood's flat streets make exploring on foot or bike a breeze, with most attractions within easy walking distance. At sunset, join locals for peaceful beach strolls as the perfect end to your day.
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Photo by Arial Bauman
Photo by Anu Karthik
Photo by Shereen Ward
Photo by chung
Westside Santa Cruz
Westside Santa Cruz blends laid-back beach vibes with artsy energy along Mission Street's corridor of craft breweries, vintage surf shops, and indie bookstores. Catch legendary waves at Steamer Lane or watch seals from the iconic Lighthouse Point. Natural Bridges State Beach offers stunning tide pools and a seasonal monarch butterfly sanctuary that feels worlds away from the boardwalk crowds. Beach bungalows and Victorian cottages house charming B&Bs and vacation rentals throughout the neighborhood. Getting around is best done on foot or bike via dedicated lanes, with limited bus service connecting to downtown every half hour. Grab breakfast burritos at local cafes before hitting the surf or exploring the coastal trails.
Photo by Ian Durant
Photo by Janet Chang
Photo by Shannon Taylor
Photo by Jie Ric
Eastside Santa Cruz
Eastside Santa Cruz delivers a laid-back beach town vibe with a college twist. Twin Lakes State Beach and Seabright Beach invite you to dig your toes in the sand. Arana Gulch's coastal trails and DeLaveaga Park's disc golf course offer perfect outdoor escapes. The nearby UC Santa Cruz campus adds youthful energy with cultural events open to visitors. The neighborhood boasts casual cafés where you can fuel up before hitting the trails. Most visitors find vacation rentals in quiet residential areas rather than hotels. Getting around requires a car or bike since public transit is limited, but the peaceful streets and gorgeous Monterey Bay views make it worth the effort.
Photo by Jennifer Radman
Photo by Paul Steckler
Pleasure Point
World-renowned surf spot with a strong surf culture, Pleasure Point offers picturesque ocean views along East Cliff Drive and a walkable path with separate bike lanes. Enjoy amenities at Pleasure Point Park and nearby 41st Ave commercial district.
Top landmarks in Santa Cruz
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Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
8.8/10 (6,089 reviews)
Kids and adults alike can have a thrilling day at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, one of the top theme parks located 1.1 mi (1.7 km) from central Santa Cruz. If you have fun at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, you'll love Boardwalk Bowl and Sky Glider, both a short walk away.
Santa Cruz Wharf
9.0/10 (2,069 reviews)
Westside Santa Cruz is home to Santa Cruz Wharf, so why not stop by during your stay in Santa Cruz. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches.
Photo by Arup Paul
Mystery Spot
8.4/10 (1,594 reviews)
You might want to get your camera out and head to Mystery Spot— just one of the landmarks located 2.9 mi (4.7 km) from central Santa Cruz. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is full of friendly people and has lots of nice beaches.
Photo by rabbit.Hole
Natural Bridges State Park
9.0/10 (842 reviews)
Westside Santa Cruz is home to Natural Bridges State Park, so why not stop by during your stay in Santa Cruz.
Ocean Street
8.6/10 (1,332 reviews)
If you want to give your credit card some exercise, head out to Ocean Street in Westside Santa Cruz. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is full of friendly people and has lots of nice beaches. It's also full of great shops and restaurants, so you can spend the afternoon having a wander. Splash some more cash at Pacific Avenue and Pacific Garden Mall.
University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum
8.4/10 (103 reviews)
Ready for an education in local botany? University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum should make your list of places to visit, located 1.5 mi (2.5 km) from central Santa Cruz. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is walkable and has lots of nice beaches. Want to stretch your legs some more? Head to University Terrace Dog Park, just a short walk away.
Pasatiempo Golf Course
7.4/10 (99 reviews)
You might want to practice your swing at Pasatiempo Golf Course, a golf course located 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from central Santa Cruz. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is full of friendly people and has lots of nice beaches. If Pasatiempo Golf Course doesn't quite scratch your golfing itch, DeLaveaga Golf Course is also nearby.
Santa Cruz Main Beach
9.0/10 (19 reviews)
Whether you want to hunt for sand dollars or smell the fresh air, Santa Cruz Main Beach is a spot you might want to check out, located 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from central Santa Cruz. If you want to continue walking by the waves, head to Seabright Beach, Cowell's Beach, and Harbor Beach, located nearby.
Santa Cruz and related destinations
Catch the California surf culture vibe at Steamer Lane, where locals ride waves with impressive nonchalance. The historic Beach Boardwalk delivers nostalgic thrills on the Giant Dipper roller coaster, a wooden marvel terrifying riders since 1924. Natural Bridges State Beach offers tide pools teeming with marine life beneath its iconic rock formation. The laid-back downtown along Pacific Avenue mixes surf shops with indie bookstores and coffee houses where students debate environmental policy. At sunset, join locals at Main Beach watching silhouettes of surfers against the golden horizon. For a quieter experience, explore the redwood-shaded paths of UC Santa Cruz, where deer wander with the same casual confidence as the skateboarding students.
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