Santa Cruz Vacation Rentals

    Plan, book, stay with confidence
    bex rewards loyalty icon
    Be picky
    Search almost a million properties worldwide
    payments icon
    Treat yourself
    Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
    today icon
    Change your mind
    Book hotels with free cancellation

Vacation Rentals in Santa Cruz

Interior
2 Room Suite - Indoor Pool and Spa - Walk to the Boardwalk - No Cleaning Fee!
7.8 out of 10, Good, (12)
"Very nice interior. Room was great with definite upgrades, still some work to be done, but overall very pleased with the room, pool, hot tub, and service."
The price is CA $163
CA $214 total
includes taxes & fees
May 20 - May 21
2 Room Suite - Indoor Pool and Spa - Walk to the Boardwalk - No Cleaning Fee!
Beach nearby, beach towels
Hear the ocean from this historic cottage. Almost beachfront.
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (209)
"Had a two month stay while my girlfriend and I were looking for housing. The accommodation was a perfect fit and in a great location. Would recommend!"
Hear the ocean from this historic cottage. Almost beachfront.
Property grounds
The Midtown Cabana- w/ Private Entrance and Views
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (47)
"My friend and I had a very pleasant stay here on our way down the California coast. The room was clean, well stocked with, and the large bed was very comfortable. The balcony view was very nice as well. Highly recommend!"
The price is CA $181
CA $280 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 11 - Jun 12
The Midtown Cabana- w/ Private Entrance and Views
Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in
2 bedrooms, internet, bed sheets
Vibrant home with breathtaking views & convenient location
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (114)
"Enjoyed the stay, nice quiet neighborhood 5 minutes from the wharf. Many stairs but there is a dumbwaiter. Needs a little polishing but otherwise a gem."
Vibrant home with breathtaking views & convenient location
Exterior
Clean, Newly Remodeled Home Steps to Beach, HOT TUB, LARGE deck w/ocean peek
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (233)
"The location was amazing nice short walk to the beach and boardwalk. The house was fully stocked with everything you need. The top deck was our favorite hangout after a long day out and about. Would definitely stay here again!"
Clean, Newly Remodeled Home Steps to Beach, HOT TUB, LARGE deck w/ocean peek
Exterior
Adorable Seabright Bungalow - Steps to the Beach!
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (131)
"Beautiful grounds, adorable cottage, perfect location. Definitely a great “home away from home”"
Adorable Seabright Bungalow - Steps to the Beach!
Fridge, microwave, oven, dishwasher
Boardwalk Beach House
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (80)
"Close to the beach. Nice outdoor patio. Very happy with the stay"
Boardwalk Beach House
Terrace/patio
Surf House, Walk to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (8)
"Great neighborhood. Clean property. A bit smaller than I expected but overall a good place to stay when in Santa Cruz."
The price is CA $419
CA $1,001 total
includes taxes & fees
May 17 - May 18
Surf House, Walk to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Property grounds
Palisades Cottage Sum
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (46)
"Such a lovely home with plenty of space for our family during our stay. The home is in a nice, quiet location and on a cul-de-sac. Easy and short walk to the beach as well as restaurants and coffee shops. Highly recommend!"
Palisades Cottage Sum
Exterior
BEST BEACH INSPIRED RENTAL...2 BDRM/2BATH ... PERFECT FOR 2 COUPLES
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (199)
"Very close to the beach. Comfy little place with all that you need."
BEST BEACH INSPIRED RENTAL...2 BDRM/2BATH ... PERFECT FOR 2 COUPLES
Property grounds
OCEANFRONT! BEST LOCATION! EXTRAORDINARY VIEWS! *HOT TUB!*FIRE PIT!
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (90)
"Close to wharf, rides , beach and shopping. Great view of the bay. Walk along the cliff top sidewalk and watch the surfers perform."
OCEANFRONT! BEST LOCATION! EXTRAORDINARY VIEWS! *HOT TUB!*FIRE PIT!
Beach
Peaceful Seabright Townhome Retreat Near Boardwalk & Yacht Harbor
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (187)
"Great place close to Seabright Beach. Surpassed our expectations!"
Peaceful Seabright Townhome Retreat Near Boardwalk & Yacht Harbor
Dining
Charming Romantic Yacht Harbor Beach Cottage
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (241)
"The cottage and yard were so cozy and inviting. Beach was walking distance and the neighborhood was easy to navigate. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay."
Charming Romantic Yacht Harbor Beach Cottage
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Pleasure Point Cottage #A
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (65)
"This clean and comfortable property was perfect for my group of three. Close to the beach for walks and also close to restaurants and grocery stores. The well stocked kitchen made it easy to prepare meals. I would definitely stay again."
Pleasure Point Cottage #A
Iron/ironing board, internet, bed sheets
Lovely West Cliff home ideal for your next beach vacation
7.6 out of 10, Good, (69)
"The house is one block from West Cliff Drive. It is a one story house in a neighborhood. There is plenty of parking, a nice kitchen, and room to move around in We enjoyed our stay."
Lovely West Cliff home ideal for your next beach vacation
Property grounds
Santa Cruz N On The Beach! Amazing Sunsets!
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (107)
"Amazing gathering place with beautiful views (mother nature showing off all that is colorful on, on the ocean). The heat is space heaters, not central, which worked well as directed by labels."
Santa Cruz N On The Beach! Amazing Sunsets!
On the beach
Blacks Beach Retreat,Wi-Fi, near Harbor & Steps to Twin Lakes Beach!
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (174)
"My daughter and her 4 year-old came from Indiana to visit for a week. The house is charming, immaculate and cozy. It is located literally steps from the nearby beach. My daughter-in-law and her two children could only join us for a day but the kids made the most of being so close to the beaches and near-by Capitola, where the quaint shops and friendly people reminded me of the days I took my children to body surf nearby. We also visited Monterey and Carmel during a couple of the days and left...
Blacks Beach Retreat,Wi-Fi, near Harbor & Steps to Twin Lakes Beach!
Exterior
Great Home! Great Beach! Great Location!
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (143)
"I’ve stayed in many private rentals, and this is definitely top-notch. Great hosts, excellent beach amenities, fantastic proximity to a beautiful beach and the Santa Cruz boardwalk (both an easy walk). I’ll be back…"
Great Home! Great Beach! Great Location!
Private kitchen
Beautiful 5 bedroom home just steps from the beach
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (13)
"We stayed here for a long weekend with our group of 7 adults and 1 infant. We absolutely loved this property, and it was the perfect place for our large group. We would love to come back again in a heartbeat! The three levels of the property worked out great, since our group included multiple families from all across the U.S. Having separation with the three levels for sleeping and also communal places to gather, like the game room and living room, worked out great for our group. Everyone had...
Beautiful 5 bedroom home just steps from the beach
Terrace/patio
Inviting retreat near Monterey Bay & San Lorenzo River w/full kitchen & WiFi
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (35)
"My husband and I just got married last weekend and wanted to do a little mini moon getaway in Santa Cruz. The bungalow is cute and perfect distance from the beach/boardwalk and downtown. Our only recommendation would be a mattress topper for the bed. The bed was very uncomfortable and we both had backaches every morning. Other than that, we highly recommend!"
Inviting retreat near Monterey Bay & San Lorenzo River w/full kitchen & WiFi
Don't see what you're looking for?
See all available properties in Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other types of properties in Santa Cruz you may be interested in

Outdoor pool, cabanas (surcharge), pool umbrellas
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
4.0 star property
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (1006)
"I like it"
The price is CA $155
CA $182 total
includes taxes & fees
May 19 - May 20
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection
Outdoor pool, a heated pool, open 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM, pool umbrellas
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
4.0 star property
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1002)
"-"
The price is CA $292
CA $334 total
includes taxes & fees
May 21 - May 22
Dream Inn Santa Cruz
Exterior
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
3.0 star property
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (392)
"Very easy to go back and forth from the beach and boardwalk. "
The price is CA $162
CA $185 total
includes taxes & fees
May 27 - May 28
Courtyard by Marriott Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

You always said you would go on a dream vacation someday. Now, someday is here. But you don’t just want to dip your toe into the trip of a lifetime, you want to cannon ball into the deep end. Go ahead, unplug and unwind in style. When you book one of our vacation rentals, the ordinary is in the rearview. Instead of sharing your vacation with hundreds of hotel guests, you get to take advantage of all the space at your private apartment or room. You also get to enjoy all the amenities of a private residence for a truly unique and memorable stay. Why don’t you take off your shoes and settle in for a while? Your vacation just got upgraded.

As much as you love your short-term rental, it’s always good to get out and explore to soak up . Live like a local: Eat regional food, cheer on the home team, and visit the best cultural attractions in town. No matter the season, there is always something going on in . Seeing all the best attractions is bound to make you fall in love with Santa Cruz. Who knows, you may even be tempted to extend your vacation rental stay. There’s a reason home rentals are so popular here—after a long day of exploration, going back to your very own living room to stretch out is a dream come true.

It’s your escape so why share it? You deserve your own slice of paradise. Booking your vacation rental on Expedia is simple and safe. Just pick your dates to search for the perfect property and book securely. We let you contact the property owner directly to make any special arrangements. All that’s left to do is show up with bells on and have a memorable vacation. With all the amenities available in short-term rentals, that won’t be hard to do.

Frequently asked questions

Can I find a vacation rental in Santa Cruz?

Yes, you can find vacation rentals in Santa Cruz close to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, or you can select a secluded option if you're looking for a relaxing stay. Visitors to Santa Cruz like the scenic seaside and entertainment choices this destination is known for. Make sure you have time to check out the sporting events while you're in the area.

What are some of the best vacation home rentals in Santa Cruz?

2 Room Suite - Indoor Pool and Spa - Walk to the Boardwalk - No Cleaning Fee!: Visitors give good reviews to this Santa Cruz vacation home rental, which offers an indoor pool, a spa tub, and air-conditioning to help you feel perfectly comfortable in your new surroundings.

How many vacation rentals are there in Santa Cruz?

With 286 Expedia vacation rentals, you're sure to find just the right place for your Santa Cruz stay.

What’s there to see and do in Santa Cruz?

Family-friendly attractions include Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Boardwalk Bowl, whereas Monterey Bay and Main Beach are a couple of great spots to enjoy the outdoors. While here, Ocean Street and Pacific Avenue are other places worth a visit.

What’s a vacation rental in Santa Cruz like?

Vacation rentals are private accommodations you can reserve for several days or longer in Santa Cruz. Vacation rentals offer extras such as hot tubs, fire pits, and patios so your stay will be comfortable. If you're concerned about a clean environment, a vacation rental can provide a sense of seclusion away from shared hotel elevators and bustling concierge desks while still allowing you a great travel experience. You'll also find more space in a vacation rental than in a standard hotel, which makes a vacation rental a popular choice for small groups.

Recent reviews of Santa Cruz properties
Expedia verified reviews