
Places to stay near Santa Cruz Beach
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Santa Cruz Beach
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Santa Cruz A-Frame
This unique A-Frame cabin, in a quiet mountain neighborhood with private creek access, was handbuilt in 1965 and remodeled in the summer of 2024. Now a little slice of heaven on the creek in the redwoods. *5-10 min to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Roaring Camp Railroad, Loch Lomond Recreation Area, the Trout Farm Inn, Quail Hollow Ranch + Felton stores. *20 min to Santa Cruz, beach + Boardwalk. *1 min to Zayante Creek Market (EV charger) Find us on social: Insta @SantaCruzAFrame

Charming cottage in westside SC 2 blks from beach
Gingerbread-like cottage (600 square feet) was built from old growth redwood in 1922. Since remodeled with all the amenities. A private sanctuary, set back and hidden from street. Two block walk to ocean along tree-lined path in a quiet neighborhood on the west side. Serene and tranquil, lovely outdoor deck and garden. Half mile from selection of boutique wine tasting, breweries, and coffee roasters. We apologize for not being able to host children under 5 for safety reasons. 2 night minimum

Cozy Coastal Redwood Cabin
Rest and connect in this warm, cozy, and private cabin that is nestled in the redwoods. Only minutes away from Henry Cowell State Park, where you can enjoy world class mountain biking trails, hiking, or swimming in the river. Or, enjoy the beach 15 minutes away. This is a perfect place to refresh in the magic of the Coastal Redwoods. Music fills most nights either from the Felton Music Hall or from the chorus of frogs. And wake up in the mornings to the mist in the trees when the fog rolls in.

Peaceful Treehouse with Ocean View
Featured by Sunset Magazine as a “chic escape,” this Peaceful Treehouse-style retreat blends mid-century design with natural materials like wood and stone for a calming, sanctuary feel. Light pours through floor-to-ceiling windows beneath soaring wooden beams, and Japanese-inspired sliding doors add to the architectural charm. Set high in the trees with ocean views, the home offers three elevated decks including one with a hammock - perfect for relaxing and enjoying the surrounding canopy.

1929 Spanish Casita With Bicycles For Two
Enjoy a high-touch, yet private casita near UCSC. Curl up with a book in your red leather armchair in the beautiful living room featuring down, Restoration Hardware furnishings and a gas burning fireplace. In the evening, take a seat on your private patio beneath a leafy pergola and enjoy a glass of wine at this historic, Spanish-style casita. Some of the BEST bakeries, natural grocery stores, wine tasting, shopping, beaches and restaurants are all a short walk/bike ride or drive away xx

Beach Hill Hideaway - Beach Boardwalk, steps away
Inviting beach house just 1.5 blocks from the Boardwalk, beach, wharf, restaurants and walking distance to downtown and the best surf spots. Full kitchen, dining & living area, office, deck with dining/patio seating and BBQ. Master suite with king bed & en suite bath. The 2nd & 3rd bedrooms feature queen beds with a shared full bath. Cozy family room has a big screen TV, games and the office has queen pull out sofa. Outdoor shower for cleaning off sand when you return from the beach.

Spacious 3-Story Home Close To SC Beach Boardwalk
Relax in the Golden Corridor of Beach Hill, Santa Cruz! Beach Hill is just above the Boardwalk, 3 blocks down to the beach and a short walk to downtown! Enjoy the quiet neighborhood before strolling down to the Boardwalk and West Cliff for fun beach activities, surfing, amusement park rides, and people-watching! Great trails for walking & running & biking close by! Head to downtown for great restaurants and night life or eat at the Wharf. It's all close and convenient!

Vintage Charm Close to Downtown and Beaches
This beautifully & recently renovated studio with separate entry and private bathroom is in the middle of everything Santa Cruz has to offer: downtown, beaches, boardwalk, West Cliff Drive, bike paths, etc. are an easy walk or bike-ride. The studio is also a quiet area for remote work. We are pleased to host you and help make your experience great. You may also access the common-space gardens and hot tub in the spa-like back yard (upon request).

Wave House by the Beach for Two!
PLEASE READ ALL DETAILS: Spacious house with a loft bedroom, bathroom with shower/bathtub, skylights, full kitchen, large living room and dining area. Lots of light. Two decks, yard, driveway and garage for parking. Only a 0.3 mile walk to the beach and boardwalk. A 0.4 mile walk to the wharf. And a 0.7 mile walk to downtown. Lots of outdoor activities in the area! Unfortunately the house is not suitable for children under 10.

La Casita del Mar (The Seaside Cottage) at Twin Lakes Beach
Cozy beach cottage located 3 blocks from Twin Lakes Beach and Santa Cruz Harbor! (Permit 211376) Coffee shops and eateries are just around the corner with easy access to the Boardwalk and downtown Santa Cruz. Highly desirable parking on premises. An outdoor dining area is in back with a quaint sitting area in the front. Come and experience the Santa Cruz life in this adorable home!

Sea Otter Cottage in Santa Cruz!
This quaint cottage, just a block and a half from the beach, was built in the early 1900's yet lovingly updated to maintain Old World Charm. Take a short stroll to the beach, quaint restaurants, shopping or the harbor. Enjoy provided paddle boards, cruiser bikes & boogie boards or have a bonfire in the backyard before ending your day with a relaxing soak in the hot tub!

Tropical Seabright Beach and Boardwalk Getaway
Come soak up the sun and positive vibes of Santa Cruz in our private, adorable, tropical 2 bedroom space. All the amenities of home. Walking distance to the beach, The Boardwalk, Yacht harbor and tasty eateries. Complete with extras for the beach. The perfect location for couples, friends and families!
Popular amenities for vacation rentals near Santa Cruz Beach
Other top sights near Santa Cruz Beach
Other great vacation rentals in Santa Cruz Beach

The blue house at the beach

Copper Nest beach retreat with stunning views

Melton Beach House. Private entry,space and patio.

Oceanfront Beach House overlooking the Boardwalk

Coastal Redwood Cabin | Hot tub | Private Creek

The "Sea Pearl" at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz

Full Ocean View Cottage!HotTub+Bikes+Srfbrds+Kayak

Savasana Surfer's Retreat
All about Santa Cruz Beach
Known for its world-class surfing along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Cruz has 29 miles of coastline and soft sand beaches — each with its own unique vibe. The beautiful sandstone arches of Natural Bridges State Beach are the perfect place to picnic while watching migrating whales crest the glimmering waves of the Pacific Ocean. Lighthouse Field State Beach (also known as Its Beach) is an ideal spot to watch surfers catching the waves at Steamer Lane — or pop into the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.
The Main Beach is by far the most popular in Santa Cruz, housing volleyball courts, beachfront dining, and the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is California’s oldest amusement park, complete with hundreds of carnival games and a century-old wooden roller coaster. The sounds of sea lions barking on the rocks fill the air on the nearby wharf, where you can take a stroll down the longest wooden pier in the United States.
Just south of Santa Cruz, Capitola Beach’s rainbow of angular, vibrant houses makes the area feel like a serene Mediterranean villa.
What are the top things to do in Santa Cruz Beach?
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Located in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse overlooking Steamer Lane, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum is a living record of the beach’s connection to the sport. The museum has exhibits that feature a century’s worth of pictures, videos, and surfing memorabilia, and you can learn about the early origins of surfing in ancient Hawaii up to modern-day developments.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Built in 1907, this beloved landmark contains two century-old rides that’ve been designated as national landmarks, one of which was featured in a popular ‘80s movie about vampires. With two arcades, a two-story mini-golf course, and free Friday night concerts on the beach, the boardwalk is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening at the beach.
Roaring Camp
Ride some of the oldest and best preserved narrow-gauge steam engine trains still in use at Roaring Camp, where locomotives snake under towering canopies of Redwood trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Roaring Camp’s 19th century locomotives travel through forest groves to the summit of Bear Mountain or through Henry Cowell State Park to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk while guides share insight into the history of the railroad and the surrounding area. Roaring Camp is located in Felton, a beautiful little woodsy town less than ten miles from Santa Cruz with great options for dining — and for sampling the brewing scene that’s put this region on the map with beer lovers.
Quick stats about vacation rentals in Santa Cruz Beach

Total vacation rentals
Explore 180 vacation rentals in Santa Cruz Beach

Nightly prices starting at
Santa Cruz Beach vacation rentals start at ﺩ.ﺇ184 per night before taxes and fees

Verified guest reviews
Over 16,440 verified reviews to help you choose

Family-friendly vacation rentals
90 properties offer extra space & kid-friendly amenities

Pet-friendly vacation rentals
Find 30 rentals that welcome pets

Rentals with dedicated workspaces
60 properties have a dedicated workspace

Wi-Fi availability
180 of Santa Cruz Beach vacation rentals include wi-fi access

Popular amenities for guests
Guests love Kitchen, Wifi, and Pool across Santa Cruz Beach rentals

4.8 Average rating
Santa Cruz Beach stays are highly rated by guests—averaging 4.8 out of 5!
Destinations to explore
- Apartment rentals Santa Cruz Beach
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- Capitola Beach
- Stanford University
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Carmel Beach
- Rio Del Mar Beach
- Carmel Beach
- Seacliff State Beach
- California’S Great America
- SAP Center
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Montara State Beach
- Davenport Beach
- Pescadero State Beach
- Twin Lakes State Beach
- Winchester Mystery House
- Manresa Main State Beach
- Asilomar State Beach
- Sunset State Beach - California State Parks
- Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Natural Bridges State Beach
- Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
- New Brighton State Beach
- Bonny Doon Beach
- Googleplex




