
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

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.

Whiskey Hollow A-Frame: As feat'd in Condé Nast!
Featured in Condé Nast's "30 Cozy A-Frame Cabins for Cold-Weather Getaways", Whiskey Hollow is a romantic retreat! View majestic Redwoods from the loft bed, luxuriate in the oversized bathtub by candlelight, cozy up in front of the wood fireplace, or cook a meal in the fully appointed kitchen. Nestled in the woods, you would never guess that it's only 2 miles to downtown Felton, 1.5 miles to Henry Cowell State Park, 15 min to downtown Santa Cruz, and 20 min to the beach (Permit #191282).

Melton Beach House. Private entry,space and patio.
Space is not suitable or safe for children under 5 years of age. Great location.We are conveniently a 10-15 minute walk to the Hook and Pleasure Point surf breaks.And in the other direction you have a 15 minute walk down to the adorably charming Capitola village and very lovely beach.There you'll find quaint boutique shops and many restaurants/bar choices along the beach esplanade. With in a 5 minute walk you'll find New Leaf market,Whole foods, Penny's ice cream,and 6 other restaurant's.

Birdsong Studio by Beach-Jasmine Gardens
Jasmine Garden Oasis Retreat House—3 block walk to quiet beaches. Ideal for individuals, couples, or families seeking serenity. SC Permit # 231326. Two upstairs independent guest studios inside our home, each with queen bed and extra beds for $25 charge: Jade Studio with private deck, and Birdsong Studio overlooking garden and hot tub. Meditation & QiGong instruction, bicycle rental nearby, allergy-free, healing sessions, low-EMFs--renewing for heart, body & soul. Sunrise/sunset at beach.

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.

Theory of Color: A Lazure Space
Welcome to your serene sensory retreat! Tucked away in a tranquil, private location, this charming space features vibrant walls painted with the Waldorf inspired Lazure technique and an outdoor bathtub, embraced by greenery. Unwind, recharge, and awaken to your senses. Built in 1928 and fully modernized, this stylish retreat is bright and inviting. Enjoy easy walks to the beach (0.7 mi), harbor (0.5 mi), boardwalk (1.1 mi), downtown (1.5 mi), Rio Theater (0.5 mi), and UCSC (3 mi).

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).

Mountain Top Yurt in the Redwoods
Peaceful, clean, spacious, beautifully decorated and quiet 24' Yurt completely surrounded by Redwoods on top of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Spend a couple days meditating, reading or writing the next chapter of your memoir. Walking distance to Mount Madonna Retreat Center (open now through reservation only). County Park hiking and horseback riding trails located within 3 miles. Ideal place for photography and mountain/road biking.

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.

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!

Savasana Surfer's Retreat
A simple and cozy abode for couple's getaway, outdoor enthusiasts, or solo travelers. Tucked away in a residential cul-de-sac with easy access to the harbor and local beaches via 2 complimentary beach cruisers. Completed with a semi-outdoor restroom and hammock, the Savasana Studio is a great alternative for a relaxing and cost-effective way to stay in Santa Cruz!
Popular amenities for vacation rentals near Santa Cruz Beach
Other great vacation rentals in Santa Cruz Beach

The blue house at the beach

Charming Light-Filled Carriage House Apartment

2 bdrm Bungalow 3 blocks from the Beach

Walk to Beach - Private Bathroom - ADA Accessible

Newly Renovated Ocean View Home

Ohana with Private Outdoor Shower and Hot Tub

El Nido; a Peaceful, Relaxing, Restorative Retreat

Sunny redwood forest cottage
Quick stats about vacation rentals near Santa Cruz Beach
Total rentals
180 properties
Nightly prices starting at
G$10,455 GYD before taxes and fees
Total number of reviews
16K reviews
Family-friendly rentals
90 properties are a good fit for families
Pet-friendly rentals
30 properties allow pets
Rentals with dedicated workspaces
60 properties have a dedicated workspace
Your guide to Santa Cruz Beach
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.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Santa Cruz Beach
Santa Cruz’s location on the Pacific Ocean means mild and temperate weather year-round. Though the temperatures dip a bit during the winter months, it’s still warm enough to walk the trails of Natural Bridges State Beach and admire the moving orange and black clouds of Monarch butterflies that migrate to the region from October through February. Summer brings the warmest weather, though it never gets too hot or humid, and this is when the city sees the most visitors. Bring layers, though, for the morning fog that settles in the area.
The first major event of the year in Santa Cruz is the Clam Chowder cook-off in February, where local chefs dressed in eccentric outfits compete to make the best chowder while attendees sample the goods. Car enthusiasts flock to the city in June when 200 wood-bodied vintage cars are showcased during the Woodies on the Wharf event. When the weather cools down come November, surfers from around the globe make their way to Steamer Lane to compete in one of the biggest surfing competitions in California.
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.
Destinations to explore
- Apartment rentals Santa Cruz Beach
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- Family-friendly rentals Santa Cruz Beach
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- Capitola Beach
- Stanford University
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- Carmel Beach
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Carmel Beach
- Seacliff State Beach
- SAP Center
- Montara State Beach
- Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
- Davenport Beach
- Twin Lakes State Beach
- Pescadero State Beach
- California’S Great America
- Winchester Mystery House
- Manresa Main State Beach
- New Brighton State Beach
- Bonny Doon Beach
- Sunset State Beach - California State Parks
- Half Moon Bay State Beach
- Asilomar State Beach
- Natural Bridges State Beach
- Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
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