Santa Cruz holiday rentals

We found 850 holiday rentals — enter your dates for availability
Discover a selection of 279 homes, 42 apartments and other holiday rentals in Santa Cruz that are perfect for your trip. Whether you're travelling with your children and pets, with friends or just your children, holiday rentals have the best amenities for spending time at your holiday home, which might include a garden and pool. No matter what you're looking for, you'll be able to choose a property to rent to meet everyone's needs, including accessible or non-smoking choices.

Holiday rentals with weekly discounts – Santa Cruz

Showing deals for:23 Oct - 30 Oct

Image gallery for Ocean views, spa pool, walk to beach

Unforgettable ocean views from this private Santa Cruz coastal escape
10 out of 10, Exceptional, (73 reviews)
Exceptional
(73 reviews)

Ocean views, spa pool, walk to beach

Santa Cruz

8% off
Price is AU$19,463
for 7 nights, 1 home
AU$2,780 per night
includes taxes & fees
Ocean views, spa pool, walk to beach

Find spaces that suit your style

  • Peace of mind

    Our Book with Confidence Guarantee gives you 24/7 support

  • More quality time

    From booking to staying, the whole process is simple and enjoyable

  • All the privacy of home

    Enjoy full kitchens, laundry, pools, gardens and more

  • More for less

    More space, more privacy, more amenities — more value

Why visit Santa Cruz

  • Stunning Beaches: Santa Cruz boasts beautiful beaches perfect for sunbathing, surfing, and beach volleyball, providing a quintessential Californian coastal experience.
  • Scenic Wharf: The Santa Cruz Wharf offers picturesque views and is ideal for leisurely strolls, dining, and marine wildlife spotting.
  • Vibrant Boardwalk: The iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk features amusement rides, games, and attractions, making it a fun destination for families.
  • Natural Parks: Explore nearby state parks for hiking, picnicking, and enjoying the region's diverse flora and fauna.
  • Local Culture: Experience the lively arts scene and local events that reflect Santa Cruz's unique charm and community spirit.

Popular types of accommodation in Santa Cruz

Discover the charm of Santa Cruz, California, with its scenic coastline, vibrant boardwalk, and a plethora of attractions right on its doorstep. Whether you fancy private holiday homes, cosy cottages, or stylish condos, Santa Cruz offers a range of star accommodations to fit every taste. Embrace the coastal lifestyle, explore local landmarks, and create unforgettable memories in this iconic Californian city.

  • Private Holiday Homes: Experience the charm of a secluded retreat with independent, fully-equipped homes.
  • Condos: Enjoy modern comforts in stylish, self-contained condominium units.
  • Cottages: Relish the quaint appeal of cosy, picturesque cottages ideal for a peaceful break.
  • Apartments: Discover the convenience of urban living in well-appointed apartment spaces.
  • Villas: Indulge in spacious, elegant villas offering a luxurious holiday experience.**

Top attractions in and around Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California, offers a delightful blend of outdoor and beach experiences perfect for families and travellers alike. Explore the scenic Santa Cruz Wharf, relax on the stunning beaches, or enjoy the natural beauty of nearby state parks. The vibrant local culture comes alive through various activities and attractions, including the iconic jetty and pier, making it an ideal destination for those seeking adventure and relaxation in a picturesque coastal setting.

  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: This vibrant amusement park offers thrilling rides and attractions right by the beach, perfect for families and adventure seekers alike. With classic boardwalk games and a lively atmosphere, it's an iconic Santa Cruz experience.
  • Capitola Beach: A picturesque beach known for its charming seaside village vibe, Capitola Beach is ideal for relaxing, sunbathing, and enjoying stunning ocean views. Its colourful beachfront is perfect for leisurely strolls.
  • Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: This magnificent park features towering redwoods and scenic trails, providing an immersive outdoor adventure. The serene environment is perfect for hiking and appreciating nature's beauty.

Things to do recommended for couples

Discover Santa Cruz's enchanting charm on a cosy couple's retreat. Enjoy a scenic coastal walk, savour delightful local cuisine, and explore the vibrant boardwalk, all while basking in the serene seaside ambience.

Things to do recommended for families

Families will delight in exploring the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with its thrilling rides and games. Don’t miss the Seymour Marine Discovery Center for a hands-on marine experience, or enjoy a scenic hike through the redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

Things to do recommended for groups

Groups visiting Santa Cruz can enjoy a thrilling day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, explore the picturesque redwood forests at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relax on the stunning beaches while indulging in local seafood delicacies at nearby restaurants.

*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.

What do I need to keep in mind when booking a vacation in Santa Cruz

Whether you’re journeying with a group, as a family, with your pets, or seeking extended stays, be sure to select the appropriate filters. Here are some Stayz booking tips to assist you.

  • Traveling to Santa Cruz with a group: Consider how many bedrooms you'll require, along with facilities like a fully equipped kitchen or an outdoor area suitable for a group get-together. Thankfully, you can refine your search to include all these features, and many more, on Stayz.
  • Traveling to Santa Cruz with young kids: Traveling with young children can be demanding, as you must prioritise their comfort and safety, along with ensuring access to age-appropriate amenities like a private swimming pool. It is also wise to consider the distance to family-friendly attractions.
  • Taking your pets with you to Santa Cruz: For many, a family holiday isn’t complete without the company of a furry friend. If you share this sentiment, explore Stayz properties that welcome pets. Most pet-friendly accommodations provide feeding dishes and beds, ensuring that every member of the family feels at home.
  • Planning for a long term stay visiting Santa Cruz: If you’re searching for holiday lets that offer discounts for stays of a month or more, you’ve come to the right place. With the appropriate filter, you can effortlessly discover and save on monthly rentals. You might also consider including a parking space, a well-equipped kitchen, or a private pool in your search.

Where to stay in and around Santa Cruz

Experience the charm of Santa Cruz, California, with its inviting beach escapes, family-friendly atmosphere and excellent surfing spots. Enjoy outdoor excursions and relaxing coastal holidays while exploring local attractions and scenic neighbourhoods. This vibrant city offers an ideal getaway with a blend of business-friendly and leisure pursuits, making it a perfect holiday destination for travellers seeking both adventure and tranquillity in a quintessential Californian setting.

  • Capitola: Capitola is a vibrant city located 6km away from Santa Cruz, offering travellers a delightful outdoor, beach, and family experience. The town is known for its scenic beach and bay views, and invites you to explore its amusement park, boardwalk, and recreational areas. The area is ideal for a leisurely day out, where you can enjoy coastal charm and a variety of family-friendly attractions, all set against the backdrop of a picturesque theme park.
  • Twin Lakes: Twin Lakes is a quaint village in the vicinity of Santa Cruz, where visitors can enjoy a blend of outdoor, beach, and family experiences. This charming locale offers access to an amusement park, boardwalk, and recreational areas, along with nearby attractions such as a sandy beach, family beach, and a theme park. Twin Lakes provides a relaxed environment for those seeking a mix of natural beauty and fun-filled activities.
  • Pleasure Point: Pleasure Point is a trendy neighbourhood near Santa Cruz, celebrated for its outdoor, beach, and scenic appeal. It boasts excellent access to a local amusement park, boardwalk, and recreational areas, while its attractions include a lovely beach, a serene bay, and a national state park. This area is perfect for travellers who appreciate a blend of natural landscapes with a touch of coastal excitement.

Best time to go to Santa Cruz

If you're planning a trip to Santa Cruz, it's a good idea to check both the weather and property rates. The warmest month is September. Peak season runs from June to August, while off-peak times, like December to February tend to have fewer bookings and better deals.

calendar iconCalendar Monthtemperature iconTemperaturerain iconPrecipitationmostly cloudy iconCloudinessoccupation rate iconOccupancyprice iconPricing
January52.5°F (11.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowSlightly Low
February52.3°F (11.3°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowSlightly Low
March52.9°F (11.6°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly Low
April54.7°F (12.6°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly SunnyAverageAverage
May56.7°F (13.7°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly SunnyAverageAverage
June60.1°F (15.6°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
July62.1°F (16.7°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
August63.3°F (17.4°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
September63.9°F (17.7°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnyAverageAverage
October61.5°F (16.4°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnyAverageAverage
November56.3°F (13.5°C)Light RainSunnyAverageAverage
December52.2°F (11.2°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage

Booking with Stayz is a breeze

Looking to save on your next holiday? Consider being flexible with your travel dates, as prices can fluctuate. Moreover, extending your stay often results in significant savings. To discover the ideal Stayz accommodation that fits your budget, utilise our filters to search by price, location, and type of holiday rental.

Stayz Trips: Planning made easy

Stayz’s Trip Board offers a user-friendly platform for planning your journeys. You can easily create new trips, resume your previous ones, or manage and organise your travel plans. All the properties you’ve saved or booked are neatly sorted into categories like Potential, Upcoming, or Current Trips. To begin exploring Trip Boards, please visit: https://www.stayz.com.au/trips.

**Based on Vrbo properties bookings.

The information above was last updated:

Explore the beachside setting in Santa Cruz

Enjoy the entertainment and other features of Santa Cruz. This walkable city is known for its beaches, sporting events and seaside. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay are just a couple of the must-see attractions. Whether you're planning a family holiday, romantic stay or trip with friends, holiday rentals offer features like full kitchens and laundry facilities for a more convenient stay.

Activities and attractions in Santa Cruz

Are you searching for attractions to visit in the city? Travellers enjoy fun activities like surfing, camping and cycling. Venture out of your cosy holiday rental and check out everything that Santa Cruz has to offer. These are some of the most popular attractions to put on your list, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city centre:

  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (1.1 mi / 1.7 km)
  • Pasatiempo Golf Course (1.8 mi / 2.9 km)
  • Seascape Golf Club (7.8 mi / 12.6 km)
  • Mount Madonna Center (15.9 mi / 25.5 km)
  • Testarossa Winery (16.4 mi / 26.5 km)
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (17.9 mi / 28.8 km)

Exploring the beaches and other natural features in Santa Cruz

Whether you're looking for exciting outdoor activities or just want to spend some time taking in the scenery, Santa Cruz is a great place to spend some time outside. Here are some of the area’s most eye-catching natural features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city centre:

  • Monterey Bay (13 mi / 20.9 km)
  • Santa Cruz Main Beach (1.1 mi / 1.8 km)
  • University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum (1.5 mi / 2.5 km)
  • Seabright Beach (1.6 mi / 2.5 km)
  • Twin Lakes State Beach (1.8 mi / 2.9 km)
  • Sunny Cove Beach (2.3 mi / 3.7 km)

Seasonal weather in Santa Cruz

Travellers speak highly of Santa Cruz for its surfing. If you're hoping to enjoy some warm-weather activities on your holiday, September, August, July and October are the hottest months to visit, when temperatures average 17°C.

Transport to and around Santa Cruz

The nearest airport is in Watsonville, CA (WVI-Watsonville Municipal), located 13.4 mi (21.6 km) from the city centre. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into San Jose, CA (SJC-Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl.), which is 27.6 mi (44.3 km) away.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Santa Cruz when booking a holiday home?
Among the more popular areas to enjoy a holiday home in Santa Cruz is Twin Lakes. Base yourself here and you'll be close to some top attractions such as Twin Lakes State Beach and Lincoln Beach.
What is the most popular type of holiday home accommodation in Santa Cruz?
The most in-demand types of holiday homes in Santa Cruz are houses. Hoping for something different? Stayz has a variety of options to match our guests' needs, so you'll see holiday properties in all shapes and sizes, and for all budgets. The ideal home away from home is waiting for you — grab yours today.
How much does it cost to rent a holiday home in Santa Cruz?
The average price for a holiday home in Santa Cruz is based on a number of factors, such as length of stay, season and property type. Whether you're thinking about a sprawling villa with space for extended family or a quaint cabin perfect for just you and the kids, just add your travel dates to see stays with unbeatable value.
How much does it cost to rent a beach house in Santa Cruz?
The average price for a holiday home near the beach in Santa Cruz depends on when you're travelling and the size and type of property you want. You can quickly and easily find prices on Stayz by entering your dates of travel. Then use our filters to choose the number of bedrooms and amenities important to you, such as WiFi, a pool and air conditioning.
Are there pet-friendly holiday homes in Santa Cruz?
Yes. There are. You can pick from 717 holiday homes that cater to pets in Santa Cruz. Plenty of our pet-friendly holiday homes come with an outdoor area for your furry friend to play around in, complimentary treats, special dog beds and proximity to parks or green space. Apply the "Pets allowed" filter to find your pawfect digs on Stayz.
Can I rent a house with a pool in Santa Cruz?
Add a whole new level of fun to your adventure by booking your crew into one of the 84 houses with a private pool in Santa Cruz. Use our search filter to find the kind of property you want on Stayz, and then spend your downtime splish-splashing around in a swimming pool that's all your own.
What are popular home amenities in Santa Cruz?
Nearby museums, a nearby river and a water view are the most popular home amenities in Santa Cruz. Whether you plan to travel by yourself, with your other half or a group of dear friends, Stayz can help you find a holiday home that matches your style with all the extras you're looking for.
Are there large group holiday homes in Santa Cruz?
With 80 holiday homes that can sleep 10 guests or more in Santa Cruz, there's no need to keep anyone off the invite list. From holidays with the extended family to special events like Thanksgiving or Christmas parties, Stayz will help you find a large group home that fits the occasion.
Are there holiday homes in Santa Cruz that welcome kids?
Santa Cruz has 714 family-friendly holiday homes to pick from. And discovering a stay that welcomes little ones is a cinch with Stayz's "Properties good for families" filter. In addition to having the whole place to yourselves, you'll have access to amenities and perks such as living rooms, pools and kitchens.
What are the top attractions for families in Santa Cruz?
Keeping the kids happy during your holiday in Santa Cruz is a cinch with these awesome family-friendly attractions:

  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
  • Roaring Camp Railroads
  • Rio Del Mar Beach

Are there one-bedroom holiday homes in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has 133 one-bedroom homes on offer. Usually located in popular areas because of their smaller size, a one-bedroom property is ideal if you're travelling with your partner or a friend. And with comforts such as laundry facilities and more privacy than a standard hotel, you'll be able to chill out while exploring this terrific destination.
Can I find two-bedroom holiday homes in Santa Cruz?
You can select from 227 two-bedroom homes in Santa Cruz. Give the kids the second room or fill it with a couple of your nearest and dearest friends. There's plenty of space for whoever's fortunate enough to be coming along.
Are there holiday homes with WiFi in Santa Cruz?
Whether you want to keep up to date with the news, write a few emails or post a pic to social media, there are 266 holiday homes with WiFi in Santa Cruz. Check the "WiFi" box when searching on Stayz and stay connected on your holiday.
How can I find holiday homes with air conditioning in Santa Cruz?
You'll have your pick of 66 holiday homes with air conditioning in Santa Cruz giving you that gentle, cool breeze and extra level of comfort. Simply enter your travel dates and then take advantage of our filters to search for properties with air conditioning.
How old do you have to be to rent a holiday home in Santa Cruz?
The minimum age is typically 16, 18 or 21. It can vary across properties on Stayz, so look at the rules of your chosen Santa Cruz holiday home before booking your stay.
How long can I rent a holiday home in Santa Cruz for?
The amount of time you can rent a Santa Cruz holiday home for is up to the property. Simply tap in your travel dates to see available options offering extended stays. They have all you require to make your extended trip more enjoyable like air conditioning and kitchens. Some properties might also offer weekly or monthly discounts, so you can hang around longer for less.

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