Family-friendly vacation rentals in Salinas

You will not regret staying here. Debra and David were so incredibly nice. The house and the outdoors/garden are beautiful. We loved the hot tub being off the master suite and the fact there are no neighbors so it’s incredibly quiet. It’s in a great location near both downtown and the fairgrounds. We can’t wait to return. We might need to add more nights because we had such a fantastic time. Thanks Debra. So great to meet you and David!!

We were so pleasantly surprised by this lovely spot! The property, location and amenities surpassed our expectations, and Shari was so welcoming and responsive. It was a perfect destination for our mini trip for our family of 4!

Place was great! Small, but that was great for us. Loved that it came with the bikes, surfboards, hot tub, fire pit, etc. we used everything! Evan was very responsive to questions and helpful with recommendations.

We had an incredible time staying this Airbnb. Our host, Pamela, has thought of every detail and there is nothing that you’ll need. She greeted us when we arrived and showed us where everything was. We truly felt welcomed and we look forward to staying here again. You cannot beat the location. When we first arrived we were so surprised by how quiet it was and we were there to disconnect from our stressful jobs. We really enjoyed the beautiful beaches and forest!

We had a lovely visit in Santa Cruz. We were in town for an event at UCSC and this place worked great for our needs. Erin was lovely and the Airbnb was cute and as described.

Julia’s house was perfect. Very clean, well decorated, but not cluttered. It has everything you could need for cooking. It is a very comfortable place to stay.

Delia was a wonderful host...personally walked me through the space and was readily available throughout my stay....and she and her family struck an easy and cozy balance with their availability and my privacy. The space is so tranquil and lovely...the bird songs throughout the day are absolutely dreamy. Everything about the experience was superb....I loved being within walking distance of some of my favorite local hiking trails. Definitely hope to stay here again :)

Nice hot tub and gas fireplace which we enjoyed every night! Our son is a surfer so we walked a couple blocks to the bluff to watch him. Great restaurants in the area and sites (surfing museum) to see. Abbot Square was a good venue to eat and enjoy music.

Clean, compact and cozy cottage. Clutter free. We stayed three nights with our pets, and this cottage suited us perfectly. A nearby park (Martin Park) provides a destination for a short dog walk, or as the gateway for a longer walk if one is inclined to venture into the neighborhood. Our neighborhood stroll led us to discover a yard landscaped brilliantly with succulents, at the corner of Lowell Street and Mingo Avenue, only one block north of Martin Park.) The cottage's off-street parking brought peace-of-mind, as there were lots of vehicles parked on the street. We had a delightful visit. (If you have an especially large vehicle, inquire of the hosts first about compatibility, as the street is a bit narrow. We were in an average size vehicle and had no problems.)

Jane’s place was a peaceful quaint spot for our weekend getaway. There’s a beautiful sunroof above the bed which gave great natural light, and the whole place had everything we needed and more, especially the kitchen, despite it size – even though we didn’t cook, in the case of a stay in night, we knew Jane’s kitchen was well equipped, same with the bathroom. Jane was very communicative throughout the whole weekend, with clear instructions on checking in and checking out. She was also very flexible with the check-in time, which we really appreciated. Overall, Jane’s space was a great spot to get away for the weekend and get out of town. Thanks again, Jane!

The place was comfortable and great for an extended stay! Tidy, cozy, and great location! Very clear instructions for the home and check in. Any time i had questions, they were very quick and responsive! I would definitely stay here again!

Beautifully set cabin in the woods, removed from the bustle of Ocean Avenue while only a 5-minute drive away from it. Tom was an excellent host who made us feel at home and made himself available for recommendations or a friendly chat on our way out the door. Highly recommend!

This place is great. Nice patio area with chairs. Bathroom is spacious with his and hers sinks. Bed is super comfortable, memory foam. Host is super friendly and helpful with whatever you need.

We love this cozy little house. We had great experience at this kid and dog friendly place. The fenced backyard is amazing and you have an ocean view there. Definitely recommend.

Exactly what I needed for my long weekend in Santa Cruz. Soquel is super quiet and it’s minutes from Capitola Beach. Great option for me as a solo traveler on a budget.

This was a great space and would love to visit again! It had everything we needed and more! You can’t beat being 5 mins from the ocean!

This neighborhood is safe and peaceful. We have stayed at The Dunes numerous times over the last 4 years. Lisa’s home is beautiful and inviting. We all felt very comfortable and relaxed. It is such a gorgeous area and the staff at the front gate is always so helpful too. I had to reach out to Lisa multiple times throughout our stay and each time her responses were quick and respectful. It was a delight to chat with her and we are definitely planning to come back and would rent this home again.

We had a wonderful short getaway at Sue’s place! The condo is just steps from the beach, pool, and jacuzzi. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves was relaxing, and the ocean breeze was very refreshing. It was exactly what we needed to reset and recharge. Everything was just as described, and we would stay here again! Thank you, Sue!

My stay in Amy's home was relaxing, peaceful and comfortable. I loved the location - nested against the hills and so close to shops/restaurants. I loved walking the hills in the neighborhood and coming back to a quiet and comfortable space. You are in the backyard of the owners but they are friendly and respectful and the setting is idyllic.

Love this place! Will definitely come back!

Himani was super sweet! She made sure she was available when we arrived to give us the keys then gave us a run down of the place. My husband and I stayed with our friend and her fiancé so it was perfect as there were 2 private bedrooms, each with a private entrance outside. Each couple had our own half restroom and shared a shower, so if you don’t mind that, this place is perfect! Super close to Capitola and seascape resort where we attended a wedding.

It was a great stay. We loved our time there and would definitely visit again.

We were in town for a weekend of trail racing and Valentina's place was perfect. It was less than a mile from our event at Toro Park and on a nice, quiet street. The place was very comfortable and the outdoor area was excellent for recovery and relaxing on Saturday. The beds were comfy and there was plenty of room for 5 of us. Valentina was very responsive throughout the entire process, I really appreciated her. Great place to stay!

It was beautiful, private, and a hidden gem! We had lots of fun and enjoyed all the views throughout the house. The house is even better than the pictures. We had our 2 boys, had plenty to do between the beach, books, basketball, spa, ping pong, and games! We definitely recommend and would go back! Not to mention I love artichokes and this house is located in artichoke city!! So amazing!! 10/10 you won’t be disappointed!