Santa Cruz vacation rentals
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Santa Cruz
Guests agree: these vacation rentals are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.
Guesthouse in Santa Cruz
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 198 reviewsSC Boat Harbor/Boardwalk Hideaway
SC Boat HarborBoardwalk Hideaway House Manual/Rules Centrally located near Safeway, grocery outlet bargain market, whole foods, Trader Joe’s, Costco, Capitola Mall. Easy access on and off Highway 1 and Highway 17 Important information in case of emergency In the event of any major problems such as: 1. Fire- 911 2. Sickness -911 3. PAMF Urgent Care or 4. Dignity Health Hospital – 6500 Soquel Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 5. Plummer- Jim-831-419-4906 6. Lisa- 831-419-3460 House Rules Cleaning fees $100 No smoking/drugs allowed on premises at anytime No loud parties No overnight guests without host knowledge . Under no circumstances should anything be put in toilets or bathroom/kitchen sinks that would clog up or cause any blockage. - [ ] Bathroom: all feminine products and paper towels, etc. should be placed in waste basket in bathrooms. Clogged toilets will be charged to guests! Kitchen: oils/greasy items to be placed in garbage cans instead of in kitchen sink. Remove all garbage to outside house garbage cans. All rooms:candles not to be used at any time by guests. Bedroom: remove sheets and pillow cases from bed, put in laundry basket and bathroom, but, Leave shams on pillows, and top bedspread draped on foot board of bed. Empty waste baskets and remove items from closet and under beds.
Apr 19 – 26
Guest suite in Scotts Valley
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 623 reviewsSnug and Cozy between the Skyline and the Sea
Super private, peaceful, and quiet; an excellent place for the traveler who is excited about exploring the Santa Cruz mountains and coast. Completely private In-law unit with extras needed to make it cozy. Snuggled between Scotts Valley, Felton, and Santa Cruz it's near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, 1440 Multiversity, and Mount Hermon Conference Center yet less than an hour from Silicon Valley. The Airbnb cleaning handbook is followed making this one of the cleanest places you’ll stay at!
Sep 16 – 23
Tiny home in Aptos
4.78 out of 5 average rating, 313 reviewsBamboo Cottage in Aptos Mountain Retreat & Spa
Om Oasis is a beautiful and lush retreat center on several acres of a remote and peaceful 15 acre mountain top property. We host guests who wish to connect with the beauty of nature and experience peace. We are 10-15 minutes up the mountain and partially off-grid with little to no cell reception but with a great WiFi connection. There are a total of 7 guest accommodations (including this one) spread out over our developed 3 acres, making it always a very private experience and easy to distance.
May 2 – 9
Vacation rentals for every style
Get the amount of space that is right for you
Popular amenities for Santa Cruz vacation rentals
Santa Cruz beach vacation rentals
Guest suite in Aptos
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 160 reviewsAptos-Seacliff Beach Studio by Yves
Sep 3 – 10
Home in Aptos
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 394 reviewsOcean View & Beach Walk at SeaBelow
Jun 19 – 26
Guesthouse in Santa Cruz
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 472 reviewsGarden Oasis Guesthouse Relax, Surf & Adventure
May 31 – Jun 7
Guest suite in Santa Cruz
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 166 reviewsStudio Cruz - One mile to Sunny Cove Beach!
Feb 8 – 15
Apartment in Santa Cruz
4.87 out of 5 average rating, 235 reviewsSunny, modern/contemporary one-bedroom.
Sep 30 – Oct 7
Guest suite in Santa Cruz
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 353 reviewsSavasana Surfer's Retreat
Jul 20 – 27
Guesthouse in La Selva Beach
4.9 out of 5 average rating, 557 reviewscute cottage walking distance to beach
Aug 23 – 30
Home in Santa Cruz
5.0 out of 5 average rating, 122 reviewsSerene luxury beach bungalow in Pleasure Point
Dec 10 – 17
Home in Santa Cruz
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 213 reviewsLuxury Beach House - Game Room & Hot Tub
Dec 1 – 8
Home in Santa Cruz
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 423 reviewsWave House by the Beach for Two!
Jul 4 – 11
Guesthouse in Santa Cruz
4.9 out of 5 average rating, 502 reviewsTimeless Coastal Carriage House
Nov 17 – 24
Cottage in Santa Cruz
5.0 out of 5 average rating, 115 reviewsSurf Cottage in Pleasure Point
May 7 – 14
Santa Cruz house rentals
Home in Aptos
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 418 reviewsThe Fox's Den A Relaxing 1 Bedroom Redwood Retreat
Apr 9 – 16
Home in Aptos
5.0 out of 5 average rating, 168 reviewsAptos Beachfront House
Oct 23 – 30
Home in Santa Cruz
4.84 out of 5 average rating, 215 reviewsFull Ocean View Cottage!HotTub+Bikes+Srfbrds+Kayak
Jan 8 – 15
Home in Santa Cruz
4.9 out of 5 average rating, 393 reviews180°OceanView+HotTub+EBikes+Surfboards+SUPS+Kayak
Nov 27 – Dec 4
Home in Santa Cruz
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 307 reviewsSanta Cruz Beach Cottage Getaway
May 24 – 31
Home in Santa Cruz
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 359 reviewsPleasure Point Beach House!
Jun 27 – Jul 4
Home in Santa Cruz
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 127 reviewsEscape to "Enseñada Del Sol" Beach House
Jun 4 – 11
Home in Santa Cruz
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 101 reviewsTwin Lakes Santa Cruz Beach Home
Nov 30 – Dec 7
Home in Boulder Creek
4.87 out of 5 average rating, 107 reviewsVictorian Cottage in the Redwoods
Jun 25 – Jul 2
Home in Watsonville
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 615 reviewsSunset Cottage
Feb 24 – Mar 3
Home in Felton
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 153 reviewsHayloft on Organic Farm
Sep 14 – 21
Home in Santa Cruz
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 594 reviews26th Ave Beach Home. 1 block to beach.
Oct 26 – Nov 2
Beach house rentals in Santa Cruz
Home in Santa Cruz
4.87 out of 5 average rating, 329 reviewsOCEAN VIEW beach home near Natural Bridges
Aug 24 – 31
Home in Santa Cruz
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 173 reviewsThe "Sea Pearl" at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz
Dec 20 – 27
Home in Santa Cruz
4.92 out of 5 average rating, 498 reviewsUpgraded 2024! Awesome Santa Cruz Beach Bungalow
Jun 6 – 13
Home in Santa Cruz
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 323 reviewsModern Designer: Amazing Location
May 27 – Jun 3
Home in Watsonville
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 107 reviewsCopper Nest beach retreat with stunning views
Dec 2 – 9
Home in Santa Cruz
4.79 out of 5 average rating, 156 reviewsPet Friendly, Bright, Beach View, 1 Min to Sand 🏖
Apr 9 – 16
Home in Santa Cruz
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 239 reviewsBel Air Santa Cruz Steps to Beach
Apr 9 – 16
Home in Santa Cruz
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 255 reviews@visitpleasurepoint
Aug 25 – Sep 1
Home in Santa Cruz
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 172 reviewsQuiet Beach Cottage in the heart of Capitola
Sep 13 – 20
Home in Santa Cruz
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 104 reviewsBeach Oasis in Downtown Santa Cruz
Aug 30 – Sep 6
Home in Santa Cruz
4.93 out of 5 average rating, 168 reviewsModern Beach House!.. 2 minute walk to the beach!!
Nov 4 – 11
Home in Santa Cruz
4.89 out of 5 average rating, 217 reviewsSanta Cruz Casita, Near Beaches, Private & Sweet!
Sep 15 – 22
Quick stats about vacation rentals in Santa Cruz
Total rentals | 1.4K properties |
---|---|
Rentals with dedicated workspaces | 560 properties have a dedicated workspace |
Rentals with a pool | 80 properties have a pool |
Pet-friendly rentals | 350 properties allow pets |
Family-friendly rentals | 810 properties are a good fit for families |
Total number of reviews | 114K reviews |
Your guide to Santa Cruz
All About Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the quintessential California beach town, where the waves are big, the vibe is laid-back, and every third person has a surfboard hanging out of their jeep. Here you'll find a treasure trove of funky thrift shops side by side with locavore restaurants that source their ingredients from nearby farms. The infamous Santa Cruz Beach, just a stone's throw away from downtown, is known for its vintage boardwalk and surf culture (the modern wetsuit was invented here). Venture inland to the Santa Cruz Mountains and you'll be greeted by nearly 2,000-year-old redwood trees and a handful of California’s most forward-thinking wineries. And there's no shortage of unique rentals to call home for your stay, from leafy beach bungalows on Laurel Street to relaxing Spanish revival abodes lining Soquel Avenue and the Victorian homes of Beach Hill.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Santa Cruz
June through August are the warmest and driest months in Santa Cruz, coinciding with peak travel season. Something to keep in mind: A coastal California phenomenon known as June gloom means that fog is known to creep in during early summer, potentially impacting your beach-going plans. Late summer tends to be more reliable for sunny days, and fall is actually one of the best times of year for cloudless skies, pleasant weather, and fewer crowds; October still maintains high temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit. January and February are the wettest and coldest months, with just over 6 inches of average rainfall and an average low of 42 degrees.
Top things to do in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has attracted visitors for more than a century and is one of only two existing coastal amusement parks on the West Coast. This outdoor stretch boasts roller coasters, concession stands, and dozens of carnival games, all set against the backdrop of the dazzling ocean.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Save a day for a trip to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, four miles north of town. A 40-acre grove of sky-scraping old-growth redwood trees is the main draw, but the trails expand into other habitats including grassland, rivers, and sand hills. You can explore it via hiking trails, bike, or horseback.
Capitola
This cheery seaport village in Santa Cruz County is worth a visit for its unique Easter egg-colored cottages and seafood restaurants. Shops and galleries sell crafts and artwork by local artists, and the beach is perfectly positioned for a sunset stroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the weather in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and dry, warm summers. Average temperatures typically range from 70°F (21°C) in summer to 50°F (10°C) in winter.
What are some of the best things to do in Santa Cruz?
In Santa Cruz, you can explore the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, enjoy a walk along West Cliff Drive, or visit the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. Surfing enthusiasts may also enjoy the waves at Steamer Lane or Pleasure Point.
What is the best time of year to visit Santa Cruz?
The most frequented time to visit Santa Cruz is during the summer months, from June to August. During this time, many visitors come for the Wharf to Wharf Race in July, and the Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival, which runs from July to September.
What are the best places to stay in Santa Cruz?
Visitors to Santa Cruz often choose to stay in Downtown, West Cliff Drive, or Pleasure Point neighborhoods. Downtown is known for its vibrant culture, West Cliff Drive for its beautiful coastline, and Pleasure Point for its laid-back surf vibe.
What are the best places to visit in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has many popular places to visit, such as the Natural Bridges State Beach, the Santa Cruz Wharf, or the Mystery Spot. The Seymour Marine Discovery Center is also a great place to explore marine life.
What are some hiking trails in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has numerous trails for hiking enthusiasts. Some frequent choices are the Skyline to the Sea Trail, the Old Growth Loop at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and the trails at Wilder Ranch State Park.
What are some family activities to do in Santa Cruz?
Families visiting Santa Cruz can enjoy a picnic at Mission Hill Plaza, explore marine life at the Santa Cruz Wharf, or take a scenic train ride through the redwoods with Roaring Camp Railroads. The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is also a hit with families.
What are some of the best day trip ideas in Santa Cruz?
For a day trip, consider exploring the natural beauty of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, or take a journey to the nearby city of San Jose. Another frequently suggested day trip is to the quaint town of Capitola, just a short drive away.
What types of vacation rentals are available in Santa Cruz?
Uncover the perfect home-away-from-home with our diverse selection of vacation rentals in Santa Cruz. From over 40 condo rentals, over 770 house rentals, over 10 cabin rentals to over 140 apartment rentals, we've got you covered. For even more variety, explore our Airbnb Categories to find the ideal space for your getaway.
Are there vacation rentals with a dedicated workspace in Santa Cruz?
Yes! Work meets play with ease at over 560 vacation rentals in Santa Cruz featuring dedicated workspaces. Stay connected and productive in your home away from home.
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