Santa Cruz vacation rentals

Book unique homes, vacation rentals, and more on Airbnb

Top-rated vacation rentals in Santa Cruz

Guests agree: these vacation rentals are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.

Guest favorite

Guest suite in Scotts Valley

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 623 reviews

Snug 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 15 – 22

€ 84 per night
Guest favorite

Guest suite in Felton

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 736 reviews

Redwood Retreat

A peaceful creek-side studio in a redwood grove. Private entrance with a own bathroom & mini-kitchen. Unit is attached to the main house but it's very private and feels like a cabin Hang out in the cozy room, in the private glen by the creek or go explore Henry Cowell Redwoods state park, Felton restaurants & tourist train. 20 min drive to ocean & Santa Cruz. Wylder Ranch state Park is pretty close too. A good Hub for exploring Monterey, Big Sur. San Francisco is close enough for a day trip.

Oct 5 – 12

€ 133 per night
Guest favorite

Guest suite in Santa Cruz

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 137 reviews

Cute Pleasure Point Studio - Walk to the Surf

In the heart of Pleasure Point, this remodeled, private studio is a short walk to the best surf spots in Santa Cruz. 3-minute walk to the stairs by O'Neill's house, and ~6 different breaks also within walking distance. Short stroll to coffee shops, restaurants and more. Walk or ride bikes (2 provided) almost everywhere. Quick drive to Capitola, Boardwalk & downtown Santa Cruz. Open to singles or couples (baby OK) that understand that our family lives in adjoining property. No pets allowed.

Sep 4 – 11

€ 136 per night

Popular amenities for Santa Cruz vacation rentals

Stay near Santa Cruz's top sights

Santa Cruz Wharf143 locals recommend
West Cliff Drive193 locals recommend
Pacific Avenue88 locals recommend
Ocean View Park18 locals recommend
Trader Joe's165 locals recommend
Santa Cruz Harbor40 locals recommend

Santa Cruz beach vacation rentals

Guest favorite

Home in Aptos

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 394 reviews

Ocean View & Beach Walk at SeaBelow

Jun 17 – 24

€ 234 per night
Guest favorite

Guesthouse in Santa Cruz

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 198 reviews

SC Boat Harbor/Boardwalk Hideaway

Jun 16 – 23

€ 151 per night
Guest favorite

Guesthouse in Santa Cruz

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 472 reviews

Garden Oasis Guesthouse Relax, Surf & Adventure

May 28 – Jun 4

€ 177 per night
Guest favorite

Guest suite in Santa Cruz

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 166 reviews

Studio Cruz - One mile to Sunny Cove Beach!

Jan 4 – 11

€ 179 per night
Guest favorite

Guest suite in Santa Cruz

4.82 out of 5 average rating, 913 reviews

Birdsong Studio by Beach--Jasmine Gardens

Aug 22 – 29

€ 173 per night
Guest favorite

Apartment in Santa Cruz

4.87 out of 5 average rating, 235 reviews

Sunny, modern/contemporary one-bedroom.

Oct 13 – 20

€ 144 per night
Superhost

Guesthouse in La Selva Beach

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 557 reviews

cute cottage walking distance to beach

Sep 16 – 23

€ 192 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 122 reviews

Serene luxury beach bungalow in Pleasure Point

Dec 9 – 16

€ 532 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 213 reviews

Luxury Beach House - Game Room & Hot Tub

Jan 29 – Feb 5

€ 935 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 423 reviews

Wave House by the Beach for Two!

Jul 26 – Aug 2

€ 422 per night
Guest favorite

Guesthouse in Santa Cruz

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 502 reviews

Timeless Coastal Carriage House

Oct 5 – 12

€ 205 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 145 reviews

Adorable Capitola/Pleasure Pt Beach House

Sep 3 – 10

€ 413 per night

Santa Cruz house rentals

Guest favorite

Home in Aptos

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 418 reviews

The Fox's Den A Relaxing 1 Bedroom Redwood Retreat

Apr 11 – 18

€ 190 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Aptos

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 167 reviews

Aptos Beachfront House

Feb 14 – 21

€ 519 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 307 reviews

Santa Cruz Beach Cottage Getaway

May 24 – 31

€ 341 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 359 reviews

Pleasure Point Beach House!

Aug 10 – 17

€ 591 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Boulder Creek

4.87 out of 5 average rating, 107 reviews

Victorian Cottage in the Redwoods

Jul 10 – 17

€ 161 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 127 reviews

Escape to "Enseñada Del Sol" Beach House

Jun 4 – 11

€ 611 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.93 out of 5 average rating, 101 reviews

Twin Lakes Santa Cruz Beach Home

Nov 30 – Dec 7

€ 802 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Watsonville

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 615 reviews

Sunset Cottage

Mar 11 – 18

€ 249 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.84 out of 5 average rating, 215 reviews

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

Dec 27 – Jan 3

€ 859 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 594 reviews

26th Ave Beach Home. 1 block to beach.

Dec 30 – Jan 6

€ 330 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Felton

4.93 out of 5 average rating, 153 reviews

Hayloft on Organic Farm

Nov 3 – 10

€ 198 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Aptos

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 192 reviews

Modern Beach Retreat-Free EV Charging

Dec 30 – Jan 6

€ 378 per night

Beach house rentals in Santa Cruz

Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 234 reviews

Lower Westside Sanctuary by Natural Bridges Beach

Jun 25 – Jul 2

€ 884 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Watsonville

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 107 reviews

Copper Nest beach retreat with stunning views

Oct 23 – 30

€ 652 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 173 reviews

The "Sea Pearl" at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz

Dec 30 – Jan 6

€ 425 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 498 reviews

Upgraded 2024! Awesome Santa Cruz Beach Bungalow

Jun 2 – 9

€ 418 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.93 out of 5 average rating, 323 reviews

Modern Designer: Amazing Location

May 27 – Jun 3

€ 690 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Montara

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 267 reviews

A private beachy pad in Montara

Jun 17 – 24

€ 144 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 239 reviews

Bel Air Santa Cruz Steps to Beach

Jul 12 – 19

€ 754 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.95 out of 5 average rating, 172 reviews

Quiet Beach Cottage in the heart of Capitola

May 30 – Jun 6

€ 438 per night
Superhost

Home in Santa Cruz

4.79 out of 5 average rating, 156 reviews

Pet Friendly, Bright, Beach View, 1 Min to Sand 🏖

Sep 24 – Oct 1

€ 445 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 254 reviews

@visitpleasurepoint

Aug 25 – Sep 1

€ 585 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.93 out of 5 average rating, 168 reviews

Modern Beach House!.. 2 minute walk to the beach!!

Aug 23 – 30

€ 757 per night
Guest favorite

Home in Santa Cruz

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 104 reviews

Beach Oasis in Downtown Santa Cruz

Aug 30 – Sep 6

€ 539 per night

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.

Destinations to explore