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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.

Private room in Aptos
Oceanview Aloha Living In Seascape
Oceanview Seascape home offers inviting private room & bath. Enjoy amenities of a coastal resort community home, perfectly situated in a cul-de-sac, at a fraction of the cost of local accommodations. Walk to the beach, resort & village. Enjoy restaurants, surfing, biking & golf. Relax in hot tub after a game on the sport-court. Walk out the back door & hike the 200-acre nature preserve with breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. Ample in-room refreshments are provided. An Aloha time is guaranteed!
$125 per night
Private room in Scotts Valley
Welcome to the best of the redwoods and the coast!
Our cozy room has a private entrance and is located in a quiet, residential area. We are 10 minutes from the beaches in Santa Cruz, 40 min. (depending on traffic) from Monterey, 10 min. from the Redwoods and San Francisco is a little over an hour. Our backyard is home to many a bird and squirrel; a private deck which is a delightful place to have your coffee in the morning if you wish. A BBQ is available and an outdoor eating area. We think you will love our cozy space.
$85 per night
Guest suite in Santa Cruz
Cozy garden westside king suite STR18-0122
This cool and comfortable private space is a great spot to stay while visiting Santa Cruz. Close to everything yet private with its own private entrance and in a quiet setting with an outdoor sitting area. The neighborhood is old Santa Cruz and close to everything. Don’t forget the comfortable king bed! The best deal in Santa Cruz! Make sure to read IMPORTANT NOTE!
$131 per night
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Stay near Santa Cruz's top sights

Photo of Santa Cruz Wharf
Santa Cruz Wharf143 locals recommend
Photo of Wilder Ranch State Park
Wilder Ranch State Park219 locals recommend
Photo of Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale16 locals recommend
Photo of Crow's Nest Restaurant
Crow's Nest Restaurant277 locals recommend
Photo of Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's165 locals recommend
Photo of Seymour Marine Discovery Center
Seymour Marine Discovery Center80 locals recommend

Santa Cruz beach vacation rentals

Rental unit in Santa Cruz
Charming West-Side Pied-a-Terre
$146 per night
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Private room in Santa Cruz
Zen Garden Sanctuary
$131 per night
Private room in Santa Cruz
Master Bedroom w/ Soaker Tub
$104 per night
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Guesthouse in Santa Cruz
Garden Oasis Guesthouse Relax, Surf & Adventure
$152 per night
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Rental unit in Santa Cruz
Aloha Apartment w/Spa
$272 per night
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Rental unit in Capitola
30StepsToBeach-EBikes+Surfboards+AquariumPasses
$181 per night
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Home in Upper Seabright
Town-and-Nature
$80 per night
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Townhouse in Santa Cruz
Harbor House A, overlooking Santa Cruz Harbor
$154 per night
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Rental unit in Santa Cruz
Christine's Cottage
$169 per night
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Rental unit in Capitola
180°OceanviewCondo-Surfboards-Bikes
$270 per night
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Home in Santa Cruz
Sunlit Surf Studio | Downtown - Walk to Beach!
$186 per night
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Home in Santa Cruz
Wave House by the Beach for Two!
$262 per night
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Downtown Santa Cruz vacation rentals

Private room in Santa Cruz
Midtown Private Cabana-Private Entry
$148 per night
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Private room in Aptos
Private Suite, Garden View, Hot Tub
$170 per night
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Private room in Scotts Valley
Snug and Cozy between the Skyline and the Sea
$73 per night
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Private room in Ben Lomond
Eco Haven- 2 rooms available
$120 per night
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Guesthouse in Santa Cruz
Upper WS Guesthouse-2mi. from UC, Downtown & Beach
$151 per night
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Private room in Santa Cruz
Vintage Charm Close to Downtown and Beaches
$145 per night
Private room in Santa Cruz
Beautiful room with private entrance
$93 per night
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Rental unit in Santa Cruz
Twin Lakes Beach Retreat with View of the Harbor!
$150 per night
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Private room in Santa Cruz
Neighborhood Room with a loving pup to play with!
$91 per night
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Guesthouse in Upper Seabright
Sunny Harborside Bungalow
$137 per night
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Guest suite in Santa Cruz
Redwood Retro Surf Retreat
$132 per night
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Private room in Felton
Large Suite with Soaking Tub on Organic Farm
$133 per night
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Weekend vacation rentals in Santa Cruz

Private room in Santa Cruz
Rainbow room//tyler ct.
$76 per night
Private room in San Francisco
Cozy, Garden Secure Private Entrance Room & Bath.
$109 per night
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Private room in Soquel
Private Room/Studio Near Beach & Forest. Own entry
$111 per night
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Private room in Los Gatos
Ideal Silicon Valley Business/small family travel
$83 per night
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Private room in Santa Cruz
Rest Easy Westside Santa Cruz, private deck
$102 per night
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Private room in Santa Cruz
Private room and balcony with ocean views!
$100 per night
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Private room in Santa Cruz
Charming Private room - Capitola, CA
$157 per night
Private room in Salinas
Queen bed, private bath, clean & restful homeshare
$80 per night
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Private room in Los Gatos
Amazing for Silicon Valley business/small families
$84 per night
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Guesthouse in Santa Cruz
Timeless Coastal Carriage House
$165 per night
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Place to stay in Santa Cruz
Cozy room with a private entrance, on the westside
$127 per night
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Guest suite in Santa Cruz
Redwood Creek Retreat
$130 per night
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Stays in Seabright

Rental unit in Upper Seabright
The GetAway
$96 per night
Townhouse in Upper Seabright
The Seabright Retreat: Walk to the Sea & Boardwalk
$167 per night
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Guesthouse in Upper Seabright
Seabright Contemporary Studio
$132 per night
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Home in Upper Seabright
Peaceful & Private Seabright, 1 mile from beach
$251 per night
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Stays in North Pacific

Condo in Santa Cruz
Modern Downtown Condo
$135 per night
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Rental unit in Santa Cruz
Hidden Gem in the heart of Santa Cruz
$210 per night
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Guesthouse in Santa Cruz
Adorable 1bedroom guesthouse 1 mile from beach
$73 per night
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Private room in Santa Cruz
quiet room w/kitchen; 3 blocks to downtown
$73 per night
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Stays in Front Street

Home in Santa Cruz
Sunny Private Downtown Studio
$195 per night
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Rental unit in Santa Cruz
Cozy Pied-a-Terre in Downtown Santa Cruz
$228 per night
PLUS
Home in Santa Cruz
Sunlit Surf Guest House | 2BR | Downtown + Beach
$312 per night
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Home in Santa Cruz
Great 3-story home near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
$359 per night
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Your guide to Santa Cruz

Introduction

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.


When is 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 to book vacation rentals here if you want 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.


What are the 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.